The State of Football: Week 12
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
Three more championship games will be played Saturday, but only one of the six teams has any chance of pulling off an upset.
That's because there would be no shock value if second-seeded Nashua North defeated top-seeded Salem in the Division I championship game, or if second-seeded Winnisquam beat top-seeded Inter-Lakes to win the Division VI championship.
If third-seeded Winnacunnet found a way to knock off top-seeded Bishop Guertin in the Division II championship game, however, the cheering would be statewide. Everyone loves an underdog, and that's exactly what Winnacunnet is.
Winnacunnet (8-3 overall, 6-3 in Division II) will be trying to extend a five-game winning streak when it meets BG (11-0, 9-0) at Nashua's Stellos Stadium (1:30 p.m.).
Winnacunnet will be facing a BG program that has won four of the last five Division II titles. The Cardinals began that run by beating Winnacunnet 21-7 in that 2004 championship game.
BG beat WInnacunnet 35-6 during the regular season.
"I think our kids will be more confident this time," Winnacunnet coach Ron Auffant said. "I think they'll be more relaxed and say, 'Hey, we're playing with the house money here.' Just go out and try to play our best football and leave it at that."
BG running back Adam Hall scored four touchdowns in the regular-season meeting between these teams. Winnacunnet committed three first-half turnovers in that contest and trailed 28-0 at halftime.
"Their speed was amazing," Winnacunnet quarterback Steve Cronan said. "They're incredibly fast. Fastest team I've ever seen. We're gonna go out there and battle like we never have."
BG led all Division II teams in points scored (481) and points allowed (57) this season.
"I've always preferred speed over size," BG coach Tony Johnson said. "I'll take speed every time. Speed puts you in position to make plays."
Winnacunnet reached the title game by beating second-seeded Exeter 17-10 in the semifinals. The Warriors will be seeking their first state championship since they beat Exeter (10-9) in the 2000 Division II championship game.
BG advanced by beating fourth-seeded Alvirne 38-0 in the semifinals.
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Winnacunnet will be facing a BG program that has won four of the last five Division II titles. The Cardinals began that run by beating Winnacunnet 21-7 in that 2004 championship game.
BG beat WInnacunnet 35-6 during the regular season.
"I think our kids will be more confident this time," Winnacunnet coach Ron Auffant said. "I think they'll be more relaxed and say, 'Hey, we're playing with the house money here.' Just go out and try to play our best football and leave it at that."
BG running back Adam Hall scored four touchdowns in the regular-season meeting between these teams. Winnacunnet committed three first-half turnovers in that contest and trailed 28-0 at halftime.
"Their speed was amazing," Winnacunnet quarterback Steve Cronan said. "They're incredibly fast. Fastest team I've ever seen. We're gonna go out there and battle like we never have."
BG led all Division II teams in points scored (481) and points allowed (57) this season.
"I've always preferred speed over size," BG coach Tony Johnson said. "I'll take speed every time. Speed puts you in position to make plays."
Winnacunnet reached the title game by beating second-seeded Exeter 17-10 in the semifinals. The Warriors will be seeking their first state championship since they beat Exeter (10-9) in the 2000 Division II championship game.
BG advanced by beating fourth-seeded Alvirne 38-0 in the semifinals.
"They're the fastest team I've seen since I've been coaching and they're very physical," Auffant said. "You saw what they did to Exeter the last time (BG won 42-0). "We're gonna have to be physical, not give big plays up, try to get first downs and sustain drives. If we go three and out with those guys it could be a long game.
"We'll have to play a perfect football game."
THE PICKS ...
Nashua North 35
Salem 34
If North wins the title, things will certainly be intense in Nashua on Thanksgiving.
Bishop Guertin 28
Winnacunnet 10
BG wins this year's Division II title, but Winnacunnet will win it next year.
Inter-Lakes 21
Winnisquam 14
Repeat of the regular-season matchup, when the Lakers overcame a 14-point deficit to post a seven-point victory.
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Last week: 6-3
Record to date: 224-56
Roger Brown is a member of the Football Writers Association of America. His column, The State of Football, appears every Friday throughout the season. hey're the fastest team I've seen since I've been coaching and they're very physical," Auffant said. "You saw what they did to Exeter the last time (BG won 42-0). "We're gonna have to be physical, not give big plays up, try to get first downs and sustain drives. If we go three and out with those guys it could be a long game.
"We'll have to play a perfect football game."
THE PICKS ...
Nashua North 35
Salem 34
If North wins the title, things will certainly be intense in Nashua on Thanksgiving.
Bishop Guertin 28
Winnacunnet 10
BG wins this year's Division II title, but Winnacunnet will win it next year.
Inter-Lakes 21
Winnisquam 14
Repeat of the regular-season matchup, when the Lakers overcame a 14-point deficit to post a seven-point victory.
-----
Last week: 6-3
Record to date: 224-56
Roger Brown is a member of the Football Writers Association of America. His column, The State of Football, appears every Friday throughout the season.
