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FOOTBALL FRIDAY: Sabers in a big one; other previews

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Oct 21, 2022

Souhegan coach Robin Bowkett and his Sabers have another big game tonight vs. fellow unbeaten Pelham. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

Besides Nashua North vs. BG, there is another monster game tonight with unbeatens Souhegan and Pelham squaring off.

Plus, there are other games involving area teams as we hit the regular season’s home stretch. Here’s a capsule look with predictions:

DIVISION I

NASHUA SOUTH (1-6) at MANCHESTER MEMORIAL (1-5)

WHEN: Tonight at 7.

WHERE: Manchester’s Gill Stadium.

LAST WEEK: Nashua South 40, Keene 28; Winnacunnet 20, Memorial 13.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Panthers got their offense untracked behind QB Karsten Lemire, putting up 20 points in each half. Memorial is competitive in the East, playing mainly against the seacoast teams, the Crusaders’ worst loss a 41-13 defeat in the opener at Timberlane. Should be a very competitive game.

PREDICTION: South 28, Memorial 21.

ALVIRNE (0-7) at SALEM (1-6)

WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Salem’s Grant Field.

LAST WEEK: Lononderry 49, Alvirne 14; Concord 46, Salem 28.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Blue Devils began the year with a big win over Manchester Central, and haven’t won since, to the surprise of many. Alvirne will have to stop the play of Devil QB Nolan Lumley and back David Jacques, who can be a handful.

PREDICTION: Salem 30, Alvirne 14.

DIVISION II

PELHAM (7-0) at SOUHEGAN (7-0)

WHEN: Tonight at 7.

WHERE: Souhegan’s Saber Field in Amherst.

LAST WEEK: Souhegan 49, Hollis Brookline 0; Pelham 35, Milford 13.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: Something’s got to give between two teams with dynamic offenses, right? Milford gave the Pythons a battle last Friday, closing to within 21-13 in the fourth quatrter before two TDs, one on a pick six, kept Pelham unbeaten. QB Jake Travis is a runner more than a thrower (61 yards last week), while with Souhegan, sophomore sensation Romy Jain will sling it. Souhegan will have to stop Pythons back Ethan Demmons (166 yards last week), while Pelham focuses in on Saber J.J. Bright. Classic matchup with points aplenty.

PREDICTION: Souhegan 35, Pelham 28.

HILLSBORO-DEERING-HOPKINTON (2-5) at MILFORD (3-4)

WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.

WHERE: MHS.

LAST WEEK: Pelham 35, Milford 13; HDH 20, Lebanon 14.

LAST YEAR : Milford 35, Hillsboro-Deering 7.

FYI: The Spartans need this one to stay alive for the playoffs, while HBH is just going from week to week, buoyed certainly by a win over the conference’s week sister Lebanon. But it was by only six, while other teams have to hold back vs. the Raiders. Milford found a good pass combo last week with Charles Urda hitting Trice Cote for a TD, but will certainly look to rush for more than the 28 yards it had in total – that’s not Keith Jones football.

PREDICTION: Milford 42, HD-H 12.

HOLLIS BROOKLINE (1-6) at MANCHESTER WEST (1-6)

WHEN: Tonight at 7.

WHERE: West High School.

LAST WEEK: Souhegan 49, Hollis Brookline 0; Hanover 27, Manchester West 16.

LAST YEAR: Manchester West 54, HB 28.

FYI: Last year’s game was a high scoring affair but West’s output of more than 26 points was 62 vs. Lebanon (see?). HB and QB Jaccob Valez have one big offense output, vs., yes, Lebanon, and are looking to snap a tough four-game skid. This could be a very competitive game.

PREDICTION: HB 21, West 20.

DIVISION III

CAMPBELL (5-2) at KEARSARGE (2-5).

WHEN: Tonight, 6:30.

WHERE: Kearsarge Regional in Sutton.

LAST WEEK: Campbell 30, ConVal 14; Monadnock 48, Kearsarge 20.

LAST YEAR: Campbell 28, Kearsarge 20.

FYI: This shouldn’t be as close as last year’s game, as the Cougars are much better and need to keep pushing toward that playoff berth. Campbell’s formula remains back Scott Hershberger leading the offense and Jackson Kanaley the defense, and they’ll try to get after Kearsarge QB Parker Goin.

PREDICTION: Campbell 40, Kearsarge 6.

SATURDAY

DIVISION I

MERRIMACK (4-2, 4-3 overall) at GOFFSTOWN (0-7)

WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m.

WHERE: Goffstown HS.

LAST WEEK: Nashua North 49, Merrimack 7; Portsmouth-Oyster River 54, Goffstown 0.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Grizzlies are just too young, so many freshmen and sophomores seeing regular time, to be at this level. Merrimack took it on the chin vs. powers North and BG, but Reimello Hyde, Trent Jackson & Co. probably won’t have to play a full game in this one. The ‘Hawks will get win No. 5 and be playoff bound.

PREDICTION: Merrimack 48, Goffstown 6.

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