Telegraph file photo by TOM KING Merrimack's Jared Dyer is one of as many as 20 players set to compete in the annual CHaD All-Star Football game, now moved from June 27 to Aug. 1 at Saint Anselm College.

Some high school football coaches will be torn about what to do on Saturday, August 1.

Why? Well, officials from the CHaD New Hampshire East-West All-Star Football Game announced Thursday they moved the event from its original date of June 27 to Saturday, August 1 at Saint Anselm College’s Grappone Stadium at 4 p.m. due to COVID-19 concerns.

Ironically, that is the same scheduled date for the annual New Hampshire-Vermont Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game, set to be held at Castleton (Vt.) University at 5:30 p.m.

Both games are loaded with locals, a combined, as of now, 33 graduating high school seniors. There are 13 on the New Hampshire Shrine roster, and a whopping 20, which is the most in recent memory, combined on the CHaD East-West rosters, mainly on th e West squad.

“There were many factors that went into the decision to move this event from June to August, paramount among them the safety of our players, fans, and community.” said Dr. Keith Loud, physician-in-chief at CHaD. “But we also wanted to acknowledge and reward these seniors for their outstanding high school careers and their fundraising efforts for CHaD.

“Many of them are experiencing a very different spring than previous high school classes and we felt it was important to do our best to provide this opportunity for them.”

Loud, of course, said that if the safety levels haven’t improved to eliminate risk near August 1, then a decision on the game will have to be made – which could include not playing. Players have already raised nearly $38,000 for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, and the game has raised over $2 million over the last eight years.

“It is, however, important to note that health and safety will always lead the discussion on the status of the game,” Loud said. “While trends are moving in the right direction, we will continue to monitor the situation over the coming months. If physical distancing measures need to remain intact, we will make the appropriate decisions when necessary. “Fundraising for CHaD is critical to operations but we will not play the game if there is a health risk to players, fans, volunteers, and the community.”

For the CHaD Game, Merrimack leads the way with five players on the West roster: quarterback James Dowling, linebacker-tight end Jared Dyer, lineman Eric Griffin, running back Zach Twardosky, and receiver-corner Devin Wood. That shows you why the Tomahawks made the Division I semifinals for the third time in the last four years.

Nashua South, Hollis Brookline and Milford have good contingents on the team, three apiece. On the roster for the Panthers are tight end-linebacker Kyle O’Connor, safety-receiver Jake McDevitt and center-defensive end Braden McDonnell.

Hollis Brookline, which captured the Division II title last fall, has three players – the Wimmer brothers, receiver Quinten Wimmer and quarterback Sander Wimmer, plus tackle Austin Etchells.

The Spartans also have three – QB-DB Gavin Urda, who will be at the University of New Hampshire in the fall; linebacker Emmanuel Ughu, and tackle Colton Burrows. Burrows has made quite a mark according to the fundraising figures posted on the CHaD website, as he’s raised a team-high whopping $4,320.

From Bishop Guertin, tight end Kyle Baker and linebacker-running back Ethan Holt were chosen. Souhegan’s Ryan Hauser was also chosen

Bishop Guertin quarterback Hayden Moses, who missed all but one snap of his senior season with a knee injury, is an honorary West squad member as a fundraiser. Ironically, Moses was selected to the New Hampshire roster for the annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.

But the players who are slated to compete in the CHaD game don’t stop with the West squad. There are three locals on the East team, which is being coached by state champion Londonderry coach Jimmy Lauzon.

Alvirne split end Kyle Boucher was selected, along with two top multi-sport athletes from Campbell: back Keegan Mills and lineman-defensive back Carter Vedrani.

There’s certainly a lot of familiarity with the coaching staffs, especially the West. Souhegan head coach Robin Bowkett is the West head coach. Two other local head coaches are on the staff – Merrimack’s Kip Jackson and Milford’s Keith Jones. Milford assistant Gavin Urda, Saber assistants J.T. Anderson and Brandon O’Connell, and Merrimack assistant Branden Lilley are also on the West coaching staff.

Campbell head coach Glen Costello is on the East staff.

Besides Moses, the other locals who were named to the New Hampshire Shrine roster back in January were Grady Hudson, Tommy Keegan and Morgan Williams (Alvirne), Nick Connerty (BG), Cam Barrett and Paul Taraszuk (Campbell), Cole Chamberlain and Noah Clark (Merrimack), Kyle Forsley and Samson Hodges (Milford), Ruben De Jesus Munoz (Nashua North), and Glen Preston (Nashua South).

And, as another key local connection, Alvirne head coach Tarek Rothe is the New Hampshire Shrine head coach.

CHaD officials said that those who purchased tickets for the June 27 date will receive their new tickets in the mail.

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