DURHAM – ConVal Regional High School will take on defending champion Merrimack High School on April 17 in the third quarterfinal game of Granite State Challenge.

Playing for ConVal are team captain junior Lukas Baker, senior Owen Beaulieu as well as juniors Remy Kekuewa-Colon and Benjamin Michaud. Team alternates are senior Kyle Austin and junior Brian Alonso.

Baker and Michaud each spoke about strategies for the upcoming quarterfinal game.

“We watched a couple of episodes and we feel more confident,” said Baker.

“We had some discussions about our three strikes round and not leaving passes on the board and using them strategically to our advantage,” said Michaud.

The team is coached by social studies teachers Eric Bowman and Chris Heider.

Playing for Merrimack High are team captain and senior Erin Murray, junior Avis Clever as well as seniors Maeve LaRock and Liam MacIsaac. Team alternates are senior Hikari McDowell and junior Bridget Clark.

Murray spoke about the previous game outcome between ConVal and Nashua High School South.

“I think we’re a little more nervous running into this match,” she said. “It’s a team that we weren’t expecting to face. We’re a little bit unsure of how they’ll play, but I’m still feeling really good.”

The team is coached by chemistry teacher Dr. Sara Campbell and physics teacher Elizabeth Dumais.

“We’ve not played against ConVal before,” said Campbell. “We got to see their match against Nashua High South and they looked really good. So, we expect another good match.”

The winner of the game moves on to the semifinals to meet the winner of the next quarterfinal game between Bedford High School and Profile High School.