Football Notebook: It’s a rivalry weekend in Division I

It seems only fitting that Dover and Spaulding took the field a day earlier than originally scheduled. At 124 years old, it’s the perfect matchup to kickoff rivalry week for New Hampshire high school football fans.

Unfortunately, unlike the anticipated outcomes in this week’s top two scheduled games consisting of the states top four teams – Winnacunnet (3-0) at Exeter (3-0) and Londonderry (3-0) at Pinkerton Academy (3-0) – this rivalry game was a bit lopsided.

Led by senior quarterback Darian Lopez-Sullivan, who had three touchdowns in the first half alone, Dover improved to 3-1 with a 45-0 win over Spaulding (0-4) as the Green Wave improved its series record over the Red Raiders to 70-47-8 since the two schools started facing off in 1906.

Speaking of lopsided, that’s how many fans may describe the Mack Plaque rivalry between Pinkerton Academy and Londonderry, which highlights a week’s worth of athletic events every fall between the two schools. Pinkerton owns a 32-9-0 record in the series. However, under head coach Jimmy Lauzon, Londonderry seems to be making it a little harder to pick a winner in this gridiron tilt.

Lauzon’s Lancers snapped a 22-game losing streak against the Astros in 2019. That 42-24 regular-season victory was the first time Londonderry beat Pinkerton since 2001. The Lancers would make it two times in one season with a 45-3 victory in the 2019 Division I quarterfinals on the way to an undefeated season and first championship since winning a pair of DI titles in three years between 1996-1998.

Londonderry improved its winning streak over Pinkerton to three games during last fall’s 23-14 season-opening win.

Friday night in Derry, both teams are coming in hot at 3-0. Visiting Londonderry opened the season with wins over Merrimack (35-6), Nashua South (43-0) and Bishop Guertin (29-13). Host Pinkerton and it’s multifaceted Wing-T offense has toppled Windham (33-6), Keene (38-19) and preseason favorite Salem (49-21).

With quarterback Nate Campos, halfbacks Cole Yennaco and Jake Albert, and fullback Jack Mackiernan carrying the load behind a big and deep offensive line, the Astros are back in the title conversation.

“We’re fine,” longtime Pinkerton head coach Brian O’Reilly said. “We’re progressing daily and we are right where we want to be after three regular season weeks.”

While O’Reilly is content with how momentum is building for his Astros, Lauzon is expecting more from his Lancers.

Londonderry leans on two-headed quarterback that is senior Aidan Washington and junior Drew Heenan, as well as versatile receiver Colby Ramshaw to get things going. The trio has done their part, but their coach hasn’t seen everything he wants from his Lancers just yet.

“We’re not anywhere near what we want to be,” Lauzon said. “We’ve gotten off to a great start, but it’s just not all come together yet. I think there’s so much more we can do as a team, and this Mack Plaque game with Pinkerton is the perfect time to see what we’re really made of.”

It’s also another opportunity for Lauzon to square off with a living legend in O’Reilly.

“He’s a better coach than I am, that’s for sure,” Lauzon said, “but he’s made me a better coach by making me find different ways to beat him and his teams. Let’s be honest though, Brian O’Reilly has already forgotten more in the coaching world than I’ll ever know. He is New Hampshire football and it’s an honor to coach against him.”

When tonight’s Pinkerton-Londonderry matchup is complete, all eyes will focus on another top-four clash as Winnacunnet (3-0) travels to Exeter (2-0) Saturday afternoon.

The 1:30 p.m. kickoff marks the 92nd meeting for the two rivals dating back to 1924, a series Exeter leads 60-29-2.

Similar to Londonderry in its rivalry with Pinkerton, Winnacunnet has made things more interesting in recent years. The Warriors have won four of the last five meetings, including last year’s forfeit by the Blue Hawks in the Division I quarterfinals due to COVID-19.

Speaking of COVID, Exeter enters this matchup with only two games under its belt after beating Goffstown (37-14) and Spaulding (35-0) and then seeing its game with Manchester Central cancelled due to a possible outbreak in the Little Green locker room.

Winnacunnet has gotten all three games in, beating Bedford (30-13), Concord (42-7) and Spaulding (47-0).

While offense appears to be plentiful between these two programs, it’s the defense that truly stands out. Winnacunnet’s defense has allowed just 20 points through three games, while Exeter’s defense has given up 14 in its two games.

Other big rivalry games this weekend include Nashua North (3-0) hosting Nashua South (0-3) in what is basically a home game for both squads at Stellos Stadium Friday at 7; Bedford (2-1) at Goffstown (0-1) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.; and Merrimack (1-2) at Bishop Guertin (2-1) on Saturday night at 6:30.

At Stellos Stadium Friday, South will lean on running back Josh Compoh and quarterback Michael Rutstein to eat up yards on the ground and time off the clock. That game plan would limit the opportunity for North quarterback Derek Finlay to work his magic against the Panthers defense as he’s done to Alvirne (25-13), Merrimack (44-43) and Windham (14-10) this season. The Titans also must worry about that South offense, which despite a goose egg in 43-0 loss to Londonderry in Week 2, put up 36 and 26 in losses to Salem (62-36) and Merrimack (28-26).

Saturday’s headliner games begin up in Goffstown, where the Grizzlies (0-1) are still trying to find their footing. Goffstown lost its season opener to Exeter (37-14) and have sat out the last two weeks due to COVID issues in the Manchester Central and Memorial programs. Led by senior quarterback Joe Mikol, Bedford (2-1) has gotten all three games in – losing its opener to Winnacunnet (30-13) and beating Dover (43-22) and Portsmouth-Oyster River (29-0).

Down the road in Nashua, Merrimack appears to have gotten on track with a home win over Nashua South (28-26) a week ago, following losses to Londonderry (35-6) and Nashua North (44-43). The Tomahawks’ offense is run by an athletic quarterback in Kyle Crampton, but they’ll be facing a stingy Bishop Guertin defense.

The Cardinals beat Keene (34-13) and Salem (17-14) before losing to Londonderry (29-13) last week. BG’s offense is also in the more-than-capable hands of an athletic quarterback. Junior Matt Santosuosso can take it for six on the ground just as easily as he can put up the points through the air.

It’s rivalry weekend in New Hampshire and fans should enjoy the action as much as the players and coaches do.

“Every week is a big week record wise,” Lauzon said. “But there’s just something special about facing your rival. The packed houses. The electricity. It’s just a special atmosphere.”

Quick Hits

• Kevin Bodenrader and Tyler Katin scored two touchdowns each Thursday night as defending Division III champion Pelham steamrolled ConVal 61-6 to improve to 4-0 on the season. Just two minutes into the game, the Cougars, now 0-4, were in trouble. Pelham blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by Jake Cawthron for a quick 6-0 Pythons lead.
• Timberlane Regional head football coach Kevin Fitzgerald was honored by the NHIAA for 25 years of coaching. Now in his 14th year as Timberlane’s football coach, Fitzgerald also a coach of the Owls’ baseball team.
• The Souhegan duo of sophomore JJ Bright and senior Mitch Hauser came up big in a 50-8 Week 3 win over Hollis Brookline. Bright averaged 22 yards per carry on six rushes for 132 yards, while carries the ball 13 times for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Sabers (2-1) are back in action Friday, hosting Bow (0-2) at 7.

George Scione writes for NH-HighSchoolSports.com and has covered high school sports in New Hampshire since 1995. To report standout gridiron performances, or offer ideas for the football notebook, send an email to scioneg@gmail.com.