Fall Notebook: Mack Plaque excitement not the same in COVID times
Pinkerton Academy’s Brian O’Reilly has witnessed plenty of Mack Plaque spirit weeks in his time as teacher, coach and administrator.
The Astros Athletic Director and football coach has seen a big difference the last two years in his school.
“It’s not as exciting going through the halls,” O’Reilly said. “Everyone’s still all masked up and keeping distance from each other – it’s just a different atmosphere. I think the kids still get into it, but it’s just not as much celebration heading into the weekend.”
Pinkerton’s annual Friday pep rally ahead of the weekend’s action versus rival Londonderry, isn’t rain or shine like the actual games. In past years it would be a gymnasium event. This year it’s scheduled for outside and will only happen if Friday’s forecasted showers don’t happen.
Over in Londonderry, Athletic Director Howard Sobolov thinks last year was worse for the kids and staff.
“We really didn’t get to celebrate winning it last year,” Sobolov said. “It was a unique situation. There were no fans in the stands, and the kids notice that. There was something missing.”
Londonderry is planning to use its Friday pep rally to celebrate last year’s Mack Plaque victory – the first in 21 years – as well as cheering on the remaining sports teams into weekend action.
Following wins in golf on Monday, and a boys and girls cross country sweep on Tuesday, Pinkerton holds a 3-0 lead for this fall. There are still five games to go, all at Pinkerton, beginning with Friday’s girls volleyball match at 4:45 p.m. Football kicks off the same night at 7. Saturday has a full slate starting with boys soccer at 10 a.m., and wrapping up with girls soccer at noon and field hockey at 2 p.m.
Should a tiebreaker be needed, the order of finish in November’s cheerleading state tournament will do the trick. As for this weekend’s action, the games are on, rain or shine.
“I think we all need this,” Sobolov said. “I know how exciting it is to see a full house at games that normally don’t draw many fans. Players and coaches get excited to see that. So we’ll get all these games in unless there’s thunder and lightning. Pinkerton has a beautiful turf field now. So unless we get hit with those lightning delays, everything will be taking place.”
Boys Soccer
Kennett looking for extra time in tourney this fall
Kennett boys soccer season is off to an interesting start for head coach Camden Clark. The Eagles opened the season with five of six games being decided by one goal. Of those, three went to overtime.
“I’d much rather avoid it,” Clark said of the extra sessions. “I’d prefer to be up a couple of goals and not have to play in OT at all.”
Led by captain Jack Cryan, Ethan Clay-Storm and Alex Clark, Kennett opened with two home games – a 1-0 loss to ConVal on Sept. 27, and a 3-0 win against rival Plymouth on Aug. 31. On Sept. 2 and 7 the Eagles had back-to-back 2-1 overtime games – a win over Sanborn Regional in Kingston and a loss to Hollis Brookline at home. They suffered a 2-1 regular-time loss at Pelham on Sept. 10 before using OT to get back in the win column, 3-2, at Berlin on Sept. 13.
“It’s been crazy,” Clark said. “We had a talented group last year and I think we’ve only gotten better heading into this year with the experience these guys gained last season.”
Crazy may be an understatement. Kennett has shifted from a one-goal laden opening block of the season to high-scoring action.
The Eagles have split their last two games in blowout fashion. Overtime wasn’t needed in an 11-0 win over Manchester West on Sept. 17 or a 7-1 loss to Milford on Sept. 21.
Next up for Kennett is a road rematch with Plymouth.
Lebanon coach heading to Dubai
Rob Johnstone will be joining his wife, Andrea, overseas following this fall season.
The longtime Lebanon boys soccer coach has put in for a four-month sabbatical from his full-time job as a teacher at Windsor High School in Vermont to spend time in Dubai for the winter. Andrea Johnstone, who worked in counseling at Hanover for 23 years, is currently a college counselor at the American School of Dubai. She began a two-year assignment in that position in August.
With his departure, Lebanon is looking to fill its girls tennis coaching position for this spring. He will be back to resume his duties as boys soccer coach next fall.
Quick Hits
Timberlane’s Keogh twins on fire
Timberlane juniors Sophia and Bella Keogh are off to a hot start on the pitch. The Owls girls soccer team is 6-1 heading into today’s matchup with Hanover in Plaistow. The Keogh twins are a major reason why.
Bella leads the team with 17 goals, and Sophia has seven of her own. During the shortened season of 2020, Sophia led with eight goals in six games, while Bella had six.
Zingariello, Portsmouth spike Dover
Portsmouth’s Sophia Zingariello recorded 28 assists to set up the Clippers attack in a 3-2 win (24-26, 25-20, 7-25, 25-20, 17-15) over previously undefeated Dover.
Also coming up big for the Clippers were Margaret Montplaisir (nine kills), Caden Merwin (six blocks) and Maggie MacDonald (five aces). Dover’s Tory Vitko had a big match in defeat, recording nine kills, 31 assists and 26 digs.
George Scione writes for NH-HighSchoolSports.com and has covered high school sports in New Hampshire since 1995. To report standout performances or offer ideas for the high school notebook send an email to scioneg@gmail.com.
