A near catch by Merrimack's Dillon Walton (#27) would deflect into the hands of a waiting Noth linebacker Jack Peters (44) during Friday night's game in Merrimack. (Photo by Andrew Sylvia)

NASHUA – How will the West be won?

It’s simple for the Nashua High School North or Bishop Guertin football teams:

Beat the other on Friday night at Stellos Stadium.

The winner of the 6:30 p.m. contest will more than likely capture the Division I West Conference title, and the first round playoff bye that goes with it.

That game is one of a couple of huge ones on Friday, and highlights the high school week that will also see the opening of the NHIAA field hockey tournaments, plus the end of the local soccer and volleyball seasons.

Both North and BG kept up their respective ends of the bargain this past weekend, as the Titans blew away Merrimack 49-7 and the Cardinals hung on to beat Bedford 14-7. Two of the best rushing quarterbacks around, North’s Derek Finlay and BG’s Matt Santosuosso, will be the keys.

The other huge local game Friday is a battle of Division II unbeatens as Souhegan and Pelham, both 7-0, will battle in Amherst at 7 p.m. It’s second time in three weeks the Sabers will face a fellow unbeaten. They beat Hanover at home two weeks ago. The Pythons, meanwhile, have not lost a step since moving up to Division II this year after seasons of dominating Division III.

FIELD HOCKEY

There are three local field hockey teams who will make the postseason: Souhegan and Hollis Brookline in Division II, and Bishop Guertin in Division I.

Souhegan finished 13-0-1 and will have a first round bye as either the first or second seed – the pairings come out today – while Hollis Brookline under new coach Greg Cochrane has a superb season, 10-3-1, and will play a first round game at home on Wednesday, likely vs. Pembroke.

Bishop Guertin (10-5-1) will be at home (likely Stellos) on Thursday in the prelims, likely vs. Londonderry.

SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL

All the locals will wind up the regular season in these spots by the end of Friday, Saturday if necessary.

In boys soccer, top locals include Nashua North and South (Division I), Hollis Brookline (Division II) and Campbell (Division III). In girls soccer, top contenders are Bishop Guertin and Merrimack in Division I, and Hollis Brookline is tied atop Division II with Milford not far behind.

In volleyball, top local contenders include Hollis Brookline, Nashua North and BG in I and Campbell in Division II, all looking to finish as high as possible.

GIRLS SOCCER

HOLLIS BROOKLINE 4, OYSTER RIVER 0

The Cavaliers got back on track over the weekend after losing to Milford with goals by McKenna Maguire (and an assist), Paige Magnuszewski, D.D. Lussier, and Addison Frye.

Eva Kelley and Kiera King played well defensively. HB hosts Keene today for Senior Night.