Souhegan's J.J. Bright (2) grabs a fumble during the Sabers' 41-14 win over Milford earlier this season.(File photo by Ali Beaton)

It will be a picturesque setting for the Souhegan High School football team in Saturday’s Division II semifinal against the unbeaten Gilford-Belmont football team that Souhegan will take on in the Division II semis.

The 9-0 Golden Eagles play their home games on a grass football field – next to a farm, not at the school.

It’s called The Meadows, but it could be pretty soggy come Saturday for the Sabers.

“It’s next to a farm, which is kind of cool,” Bowkett said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it holds up. But we’re not worried about wind, rain … We’re not going to worry about that, we’ll continue to do what we do.

“They think (the grass) will slow us down with our team speed. It’s the only sport that plays on it in the fall, at least. I was up there a couple of weeks ago, it’s actually in pretty good shape.

“It’s awesome, it’s fun.”

The Sabers, though, don’t think they’ll have a problem on grass.

“It’s funny when people write about us and say we’re really fast on turf, and I get that,” Bowkett said. “It’s not like we’re slow on grass. We’re going to be fast wherever we go. And the conditions work for both teams.

“We know where we’re going pass game wise, so it’s harder on defensive backs to change direction if they need to do that. We’re not too worried about it. The conditions are going to be the same for both teams. We’ll adapt, improvise and overcome and just get after it.”

FORECAST CHANGE?

At first it seemed like those teams playing their playoff games Friday night, like BG-Pinkerton and Nashua North-Bedford, would be in somewhat better shape weather wise than those playing on Saturday.

It may be the opposite. The latest forecast with the remnants of tropical storm Nicole due to move through has stronger weather Friday night and possible clearing by Saturday afternoon.

Saturday it’s the Division III title game between Campbell and Trinity, plus the Sabers heading to Gilford and Merrimack at Londonderry in the Division I quarterfinals.

Stay tuned, because it can certainly change again. At least we know one thing: It’s going to rain between sometime Friday and sometime Saturday, so it’s bound to impact some games at some point.

MIXED EMOTIONS

Friday night will be emotional for Bishop Guertin’s Jakob Baker, win or lose. Should the Cards lose, it’s likely the final football game of his career, as he is strongly leaning toward not playing in college.

If he wins, he’ll see his good friend, Jacob Albert, see his high school career end.

Albert, Baker said, “is a kid I’ve always played football with. It kind of sucks because it’s either mine or his last game. I really hate it. But it’s going to be fun.”

Albert is one of the Astro running backs Baker will be asked to stop. He rushed for 72 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown in the Astros’ 35-20 first-round win last weekend over Spaulding.

In case you’re wondering, Albert and Baker played together on the Pelham Razorbacks youth football team.

TOMAHAWKS STAYING POWER

Merrimack has put together yet another playoff season, when it looked like graduation would really impact them for real this year. But the ‘Hawks under Kip Jackson keep finding a way.

“It’s the resilience of the team,” Jackson said when asked what he liked best about the squad, led by QB Trent Jackson and running back/linebacker Reimello Hyde.

Jackson will be relying on that resilience Saturday against the big favorite in the tournament, the Lancers.

“We have to be mentally tough,” he said, “because they are going to make big plays.”

NORTH ENJOYING THE RIDE

The Titans are enjoying the season with a group of senior skill position players, but graduation will take its toll.

So the coaching staff is enjoying this 9-0 ride as long as it lasts. QB Derek Finlay, backs Jack Peters and Jordyn Raisanen-Andino, receiver Nick DiGesse and defensive end Toby Brown, Jr. are among a group of 20 seniors.

“We talk about it, how much we’re going to miss some of these guys,” North coach Chad Zibolis said. “There are a lot of good kids that are going to be hitting the road.”

And the schedule won’t help. It’s weighted, so besides their conference foes – Keene, Merrimack, BG, Nashua South, Bedford and Goffstown – North will have three other games against the iron.

“We’re going to go through it,” Zibolis said, chuckling. “Especially with the way the scheduling works. We’re going to be playing all the top dogs next year. So we’ll see if you’ll be talking to me in November.”

Newsletter