The Pelham High School football team may have been grateful for the fact the Campbell Cougars agreed to play Monday night’s Division III quarterfinal after the Pythons had originally opted out late last week, but the the Pythons certainly didn’t show it.

They ran away with a 35-0 win, and will now face Monadnock in the semis. Campbell’s season ends at 2-4.

Pelham led 8-0 after the first quarter but increased that to 28-0 at the half, outgaining the Cougars 164-45 in the first 24 minutes.

Kevin Bodenrader had a 30-yard TD for the Pythons in the first period, and 6-0 title favorite got two scores from Jake Herrling in the second, one of 55 and another of 6 yards. Ethan Demmons added a TD. After three it was 35-0.

The Pythons, who beat the Cougars 40-0 earlier this season, had opted out late last week due to reported positive COVID tests in the school. But football parents put together a petition and the Pelham administration reversed course. Campbell agreed to reschedule the game, originally set for Friday night, for last night.

In six games this year, the Pythons, who dropped down to Division III from Division II, have outscored the opposition 202-13.

Newsletter