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FOOTBALL FRIDAY: A capsule look at a big Week 3

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Sep 17, 2021

Nashua North's Derek Finlay is pressured by Merriack's Ryan Turley, left, and Conor Dunn (4) during last Friday's game at Stellos. North is at Windham tonight while Merrimack hosts Nashua South. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The third week of the high school football season will begin to shape things for a few local teams, as well as answer some questions.

First, can either Nashua South or Merrimack save their respective seasons? One will be in a deep hole after Friday night. Is Bishop Guertin (2-0) for real? The Cards appear to be going from the frying pan into the fire at Londonderry. And in Division II, Milford-Lebanon will tell each team where they’re at.

Here’s a capsule look at another full weekend:

DIVISION I

NASHUA SOUTH (0-2) at MERRIMACK (0-2)

WHEN: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: MHS Student Memorial Field.

LAST WEEK: Londonderry 42, Nashua South 0; Nashua North 44, Merrimack 43

LAST YEAR: Merrimack 27, Nashua South 26 (Division I prelims)

FYI: It’s only the third week of the season but already it’s a must win for both teams, as they try to avoid a potential season-ruining 0-3 start. Last week was a disaster for South, as the Panthers look to recover from giving up 104 points in their first two games and need a Mike Rutstein-Josh Compoh led offense to help out the defense, which will no doubt have its hands full with Merrimack receiver/return man Shea Goodwin. It will also be interesting to see if the ‘Hawks work back Garron Brown into the offense again.

NASHUA NORTH (2-0) AT WINDHAM (1-1)

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Windham HS

LAST WEEK: North 44, Merrimack 43; Windham 7, Alvirne 6.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: An interesting matchup between two teams that escaped last Friday with wins. The Titans have a great opportunity in front of them to start off 3-0, but it will be a tough spot. It’s the annual “Black Out Night” at Windham, in which the Jags truck in lights for their only home night game of the year that will no doubt draw a crowd. But if Titans QB Derek Finlay stays poised like he did last week, North should be in good shape – especially if Nick DiGesse (10 receptions, 116 yards) is a factor. The Jags are led by senior QB/DB Justin Wickman.

BISHOP GUERTIN (2-0) at LONDONDERRY (2-0)

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: LHS Sawyer Field.

LAST WEEK: Londonderry 42, Nashua South 0; Bishop Guertin 17, Salem 14.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: Suddenly, this is possibly the weekend’s biggest local game thanks to the Cards’ upset of Salem. Again, Guertin’s Matt Santosuosso leads the Cards’ offense along with back Charlie Bellavance, but really both teams have set the tone defensively as the Lancers have allowed just six points in two games and BG, paced by linebacker Jakob Baker, reduced Salem’s offensive output from 62 to 14 in a week. However, Guertin has a lot of two-way players the Lancer QB Aidan Washington may try to take advantage of if fatigue sets in.

KEENE (0-2) at ALVIRNE (0-2)

WHEN: Friday at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Alvirne HS.

LAST WEEK: Pinkerton 38, Keene 19; Windham 7, Alvirne 6.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Broncos, led by QB Jacob Bradshaw, have certainly been competitive in their first two games; they just need to finish. Meanwhile the Blackbirds played well for a half against both BG and Pinkerton, led by backs Seamus Albert and Jarrod Rokes. No doubt this will be a competitive game.

DIVISION II

SOUHEGAN (1-1) at HOLLIS BROOKLINE (1-1)

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: HBHS Turf Field.

LAST WEEK: Milford 14, Souhegan 6; Lebanon 77, Hollis Brookline 28.

LAST YEAR: Souhegan 20, HB 0; Souhegan 63, HB 34 (Division II quarters)

FYI: Freshman QB Romy Jain continues to play well enough to keep the chains moving for the Saber offense, helped out by Charlie Maroun and Cole Manning. And Souhegan’s defense has played pretty well, allowing just two TDs over eight quarters. The young Cavaliers, meanwhile, have to be smarting from last week’s blowout loss, but still got some good play out of QB Riley McQuilkin. One way or another, youth will be served in this one.

LEBANON (2-0) at MILFORD (2-0)

WHEN: Friday 7 p.m.

WHERE: Milford HS.

LAST WEEK: Lebanon 77, Hollis Brookline 28; Milford 14, Souhegan 6.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: Milford’s clock-killing, grind it out game has worked pretty well so far this season led by back Caden Zalenski and QB Charlie Holt, and both of them plus Logan Barnhill both ways. Lebanon looks powerful but they’re 137 points have been scored on big underdogs. Cole Shambo and Jackson Stone combined for seven TDs against the Cavs. We’ll see how big of an adjustment this is for the Raiders.

DIVISION III

CAMPBELL (2-0) at INTER-LAKES-MOULTONBOROUGH (1-1)

WHEN: Saturday, 12 p.m.

WHERE: Inter-Lakes HS in Meredith.

LAST WEEK: Campbell 16, ConVal 0; Trinity 47, Inter-Lakes-Moultonborough 8.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Cougars continue to show progress, and may have a breakaway threat in Garrett Arnold and a steady runner in Nathan Perry, plus defensively Evan St. Pierre up front has been tough. Inter-Lakes-Moultonborough, Cougars coach Glenn Costello feels, is moving in the right direction. Cameron Bernier had ILM’s lone score last week.

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