Telegraph photo by HECTOR LONGO Nashua North's Bryce Zimmerman and Bedford's CJ Ladue survey the situation on the second green at Stonebridge Country Club in Tuesday's NHIAA Division I Golf Team Championships.

GOFFSTOWN – Bedford High golf equals dynasty. It’s a given when the NHIAA Division I Team Championships roll around in October.

The Bulldogs made it six straight state titles, with relative ease, by six shots over runner-up Exeter High School. But it was the Titans of Nashua North providing the surprise of the day here at Stonebridge Country Club.

Led by No. 1 Bryce Zimmerman, North placed a solid third, just four shots behind Exeter.

“We were underdogs this year. I think third is a big accomplishment for us,” said North junior Chris McQuinn. “Nobody expected this, and with everyone back, hopefully next year we can bring the title back.”

Zimmerman wasn’t sure whether to be happy or not with his even-par round of 72. He opened with birdies on the first and third holes and probably should have had another on the second hole.

“I left so many shots out there. I’ll take two-under on front with three short birdie misses,” Zimmerman said. “But the three bogeys on the back were just mistakes. Two poor wedge shots, which is weird, because my wedge game is usually my strength.”

North was pretty happy with the effort and that of McQuinn, who shot 79. Freshman Eva Gonzales equaled that number, while Spenser Champagne pitched in an 83.

Thomas Kelly and Brendan McMahon rounded out the North scorers, each notching 91s.

The only other team in the event was Bishop Guertin. The Cardinals placed tenth, led by Jack Fitzgerald at 87.

All eyes now turn to round 2 on Sunday, the NHIAA Individuals at Beaver Meadow in Concord.

Zimmerman, the defending champ, put himself in a pretty solid position, alone in second, chasing Timberlane’s Jack Pepin, who carded a two-under par round of 70.

“I’m in a good spot. I wasn’t in the lead last year, heading into the final round,” said Zimmerman, who will have the hurdle of dealing with Beaver Meadow.

“I haven’t historically played well there. I played a bad week of golf there this summer (at the NH Junior Amateur). I have to put that one out of my head. This is a whole new day of golf. I will be in the lead group. Playing with Jack will be good. He’s really solid at Beaver Meadow. At least I should know what I have to do to win.”

Joining the leaders in the final round Sunday will be Alvirne sensation Noah LeClair, who shot a 3-over par round of 75.

It was your typically wild freshman debut at states.

“It was all right. I’m pretty excited,” said LeClair. “I had three birdies and an eagle on the 10th, with two doubles and three bogeys,” said LeClair. “I hit a real good drive, with only 177 in on the par-5. It was uphill, into wind. I cut a five-iron around some trees to 15 feet and made the putt.”

LeClair is tied for fifth place heading into Sunday.

“All the other guys up there are juniors and one senior,” LeClair said. “I’m excited to be the only freshman in the top five. It’s pretty cool.”

North’s McQuinn was the only other player from the region to advance in the top 20. He was 12th.

“I played pretty good. My putting could have been better, but off the tee I was very confident,” said McQuinn. “My goal was to make the cut, but now the goal on Sunday is to make the top 10.”

Division III

Round 1 of the Division III individual was also held on Tuesday, this one at Mount Washington Golf Club.

Amherst Country Club’s Gunnar Senatore and Colin McCaigue helped lead the Derryfield School to the team championship.

Senatore, of Bedford, carded a 1-over par round of 73. He’s second, one shot off the lead of Pelham’s Russell Hamel of Nashua CC as the individuals continue on Sunday.

Brookline’s McCaigue is right in the thick of things as well, shooting a solid 75 on Tuesday.

Campbell’s Sean Ryan (96) and Travis Breton (97) did not make the cut.

NHIAA Division I Golf Championships

Team Scores: 1. Bedford 394; 2. Exeter 400; 3. Nashua North 404; 4. Hanover 416; 5. Pinkerton 419; 6. Keene 422; 7. Concord 426; 8. Timberlane 436; 9. Dover 440; 10. Bishop Guertin 449

Individual Leaders (top 20 qualify for finals): 1. Jack Pepin, Timberlane 70; 2. Bryce Zimmerman Nashua North, 72; 2. Evan Desjardins, Salem 72; 4. Jack Meehan, Hanover 73; 5. Noah LeClair, Alvirne 74; 5. C.J. Ladue, Bedford 74; 12. Chris McQuinn, Nashua North 79

Locals who did not qualify: 83 – Spenser Champagne, Nashua North; 84 – Ryan Horgan, BG; 85 – Mike Dowling, Alvirne; 87 – Jack Fitzgerald, BG; 87 – Aaron Pratt, BG; 89 – Stephen Robbe, Nashua South; 91 – Thomas Kelly, Nashua North; 91 – Brendan McMahon, Nashua North; 91 — Cameron Higham, Merrimack; 95 – Connor Bouvier, BG; 96 – Noah Weiss, Nashua North; 96 — Constantine Lakos, BG; 97 – William Scanlon, BG; 97 – Luke Mutty, BG; 97 – Hayden Lawton, Merrimack; 102 – Max Riordan, BG; 108 Josh Gao, Nashua South; 113 – Owen Graham, Nashua North

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