NHIAA DIVISION V PREVIEW

The League: Epping-Newmarket (736 enrollment), St. Thomas (721), Pelham (700), Bow (669), Stevens (667), Kearsarge (665), Somersworth (605), Trinity (470) and Bishop Brady (443).

Defending Champion: Pelham beat St. Thomas, 22-0, in last year's state championship game.

Top Story Line: Is Pelham capable of winning a third straight Division V title?

Player to Watch: St. Thomas junior Jack MacNevin is in his second season as the team's starting quarterback. He battled the injury bug last season. When healthy, he's among the top QBs in the state.

Game to Watch: St. Thomas at Trinity (Oct. 24). If Pelham doesn't win the Division V championship this season, one of these two teams probably will. This contest could determine the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. At the very least, the winner should secure the No. 2 seed and home-field advantage for the semifinals.

Noteworthy: Pelham enters the season with a 22-game winning streak. The Pythons can no longer rely on do-everything running back Bruce Vieira, but they do return nine starters, including two experienced players in the offensive backfield: senior Josh Luciano and Joe DeAngelo. Both Luciano and DeAngelo have seen time at QB. Luciano will also play wide receiver and running back. ... St. Thomas suffered a big blow when offensive lineman/defensive end Tom Baxter suffered a knee injury during a scrimmage against Dover. ... St. Thomas coach Rod Wotton enters the season with a 331-70-3 career record. No New England high school football coach has won more games. Wotton will build his offense around MacNevin, a run/pass threat who completed 50 of 102 pass attempts last season for 896 yards and 10 TDs. ... John Trisciani left Trinity to join the St. Anselm College staff, and former West coach Gary Leonard will guide the Pioneers this season. Trinity appears to have enough talent to make a run at the Division V championship. Quarterback Jake Castricone, running back Connor Lyons and running back Brad Taillon are among the top players on the Trinity roster.  ... Former Winnacunnet assistant coach Ryan Francoeur has replaced Rich McFadden as the head coach at Epping-Newmarket. Francoeur, who played at Somersworth, will face the Toppers in his first game as a head coach. ... Kearsarge and Bishop Brady will likely be the other teams challenging for playoff spots. The Green Giants return nine defensive starters, and have experience in the offensive backfield and at wide receiver.

Coming Monday: Division IV preview.

                                                                                                          -- Roger Brown