South pours it on
MANCHESTER – Nashua South scored the last 28 points to turn a second-quarter deficit into a 36-18 win over Manchester Memorial.
The youthful Panthers played like it was opening night. South jumped out to an 8-0 lead before Memorial’s size up front took over much of the second quarter. Memorial poured on 18 consecutive points.
"We played like a real inexperienced team tonight," South coach Scott Knight said. "We had a lot of sophomores on the field tonight for the first time. There’s only a couple of seniors. These guys will get better. They work hard and are tough."
One of those sophomores, Alex Amigo, was the spark the Panthers needed. Amigo was a star in the return game, playing a key role in the Panthers starting 10 of their 14 possessions in Memorial territory.
A pair of highlight-worthy runs on fake punt plays gave the Panthers momentum, and he scored a touchdown late in the third quarter to put South ahead 21-18. Amigo also recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter.
"He’s a special kid," Knight said of Amigo. "He sees things well. He’s like a little Wes Welker. He’s a tough little bugger too."
Down 18-8 late in the first half, the Panthers scored on
a 35-yard touchdown pass from Sean Holland to Max Osgood with no time left in the half to turn the tide.
It was all South in the final 24 minutes as the Crusaders were unable to do much of anything against a staunch Nashua defense that adjusted throughout the night.
"We cleaned some stuff up, switched some things around on (defense) in the second half," Knight said. "We took away what they were doing to us. Once we got that squared away we were fine. Two safeties tonight, and overall special teams was pretty good."
Mitchell Coy scored two touchdowns on 62 yards rushing for Panthers playing against his former team. Coy transferred into South before this season.
"I just love being back on this field," Coy said. "It took a lot to be here. I’m proud to be here right now. I’m really proud to play against my old teammates."