The Bedford HIgh School football team celebrates its Division I title on Saturday in Exeter. (NHIAA Twitter photo)

When they left Stellos Stadium after upsetting Nashua North a couple of weeks ago, the Bedford High School football team had the look of a team on a mission.

Mission accomplished.

Saturday the No. 10, 10-3 Bulldogs rallied to beat No. 1 Londonderry, 15-14, on Colby Snow’s field goal with 13 seconds left to capture the Division I championship at Exeter’s William Ball Stadium.

It wasn’t easy, as Londonderry, led by quarterback Drew Heenan, jumped out to a 14-0 lead and took that advantage into the half. The Lancers had momentum, as the Bulldogs had a drive stall at the Lancer 10 just before the half ended.

But Bedford and its vaunted defense pitched a shutout in the second half. Bulldogs QB Danny Black hit Dom Tagliaferro for a 7-yard TD to get on the board with seven minutes left in the third quarter. However, the PAT kick was blocked and it was 14-6. The Bulldogs also had another drive stall inside the Lancer 10 late in the third.

However, Bedford’s Logan Sfeir ran it in from 4 yards out to pull the ‘Dogs to within 14-12 with 5:25 left. However, a 2-point conversion attempt failed, as Black hit Dylan Soden on a pass but he was stopped before he could cross the goal line.

Bedford’s defense held Londonderry, however, and after a punt the Bulldogs got the ball back — but at their own 11 — with 2:08 to play.

Bedford then marched down the field, but the drive reached the Lancer 10 and the Bulldogs were facing a fourth-and-6 with 17 seconds left. It was decision time, and they decided to go with Snow’s foot for the title. Right call.

Londonderry took a 7-0 lead on a Heenan 8-yard TD, snapping the ‘Dogs streak of 13 straight quarters of shutout defense — or, to be more accurate, 160 minutes and 42 seconds (160:42). Amazing.

The Lancers (10-1, 10-2 overall) took a 14-0 lead after Nathan Pedrick scored on an 8-yard TD run with 1:47 left before halftime. But that was it for the Lancers on the day.

It’s Bedford’s third Division I crown. The Bulldogs also won it in 2018 and 2016.

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