Former Souhegan assistant coach Justin Hufft will lead the Pelham Pythons against his former school in today's Division II title game in Derry. (Social media photo)

AMHERST – It’s Championship Saturday, with two local teams in 1 p.m. football title games.

You have your choice: You can go to Derry to see what should be an epic Division II battle between No. 2 Pelham (10-1) and No. 4 Souhegan (9-2) at Pinkerton Academy, or stay closer to home and see No. 1 Campbell (10-0) vs. No. 3 Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough ironically at Souhegan’s Calvetti Field for the Division III crown.

Either way, you can’t lose, and here’s a look at a few things surrounding both games:

HUFFT, SOUHEGAN NO STRANGERS

Of course they’re not. Hufft played his high school football for the Sabers, and also was an assistant coach there for 11 years before guiding Goffstown for nine seasons, including a state title in 2015.

But he was on the Saber coaching staff when current Souhegan head coach Robin Bowkett was the Sabers quarterback. Bowkett played baseball and football with one of Hufft’s younger brothers, Jay.

“I’ve known Justin since I was 10 years old,” Bowkett said. “There aren’t too many other coaches I respect more than Justin. … I saw him play growing up, when Souhegan was first open. He was a helluva nose guard and a real good baseball player in his own right.”

Bowkett was scouting the Pelham-Trinity semifinal last weekend and met up with Hufft’s parents.

“They’re awesome,” Bowkett said. “And I know Steve his dad went up with Justin to Plymouth last Saturday (scouting Souhegan). There’s nobody I respect more than Justin in the state.”

The two hadn’t coached against each other until a few weeks ago when Pelham came to Calvetti Field and handed the Sabers a 40-26 loss.

“We’ve coached together in a couple of CHaD games,” Bowkett said. “Even after he stepped down (at Goffstown) I’d reach out to him and say ‘Hey, I’m sure you miss it a little bit, how about being a part of it, and he’d say ‘Sure, if you have room for me, I’d love to do it.'”

What was Bowkett’s reaction when he heard Hufft was taking over Pelham right at the start of the season after the sudden resignation of the coach that had been hired last spring, John Trisciani?

“I certainly love Trish and respect the heck out of him,” Bowkett said. “But I was like ‘This isn’t good for us, because Justin’s a helluva football coach.’ I knew they were going to be in a great spot once he took over. That was maybe not something he had (planned), he obviously didn’t foresee any of that happening. He’s done a great job, that’s a really hard thing to do, and to do what he’s done with those players is just a testament to them.”

There are other things about Hufft that Bowkett admires.

“He’s very analytical,” he said, “and asks thought-provoking questions. He wants to know the why and the intricacies of things. It was a blast having him on staff of the CHaD Game, too. We certainly have our hands full with a great Pelham team; obviously he’s a big part of that.”

TAKING A HIKE

Those who know Campbell coach Glen Costello knows he’s a big hiker, and his players often join him.

It was when Costello knew he had great leaders in Scott and Nick Hershberger when they were juniors. He took them and other players on a summer hiking trip on the Presidential Traverse.

“The first day we hiked 10 hours,” Costello said. “All the other seniors in that group were mentally taxed. They were breaking down due to the challenge. We summited Mount Washington as the sun was setting, an awesome experience. The seniors were stuck in this moment. Scott and Nick wer e unfazed. They appreciated the moment, but there was this next level of leadership where they figuratively carried the group to the hut. That kind of jumped out at me. These guys are just legit.”

REMINDERS OF MILLS, VEDRANI

Carter Vedrani and Keegan Mills are two of the best football players that Campbell has ever had, and they were freshmen Costello’s first year as a Cougar assistant.

“I didn’t think Carter Vedrani or Keegan Mills would ever be replicable,” Costello said. “Those were two kids, my first day at Campbell were their first day as freshmen. Carter was the smartest and most athletic kid I’ve ever come across; Keegan obviously was the best and most dominant football player I’ve ever come across. Fast forward a couple of years, and here’s Nick and Scott Hershberger.

“So I’ve been very blessed and very fortunate it kind of cycles.”

SABERS ENJOYED A RARITY

Last weekend’s Souhegan 36-7 semifinal win was the first time Plymouth had lost a home playoff game since 1999 – when Bowkett was a junior QB for the Sabers.

“Laconia beat them that day, and we were the No. 2 seed,” Bowkett remembered. “Then Laconia had to play at our place for the title. And we lost 11-7.” Saber standout Fletcher Ladd broke his collarbone in the semis.

TWO YEARS AGO

Sabers QB Michael Fiengo was a freshman when the Sabers lost to Pelham 34-6 in the 2022 Division II title game. He never played, but certainly didn’t enjoy the feeling.

“It was just a terrible feeling, and I don’t think I ever want to feel like that again, even though I didn’t even play. We haven’t beaten Pelham yet. There’s a lot of revenge built up going into this game. It’s a good Pelham team, but we’re ready.”

HERSBERGER A YUKICA FINALIST

Campbell’s Scott Hershberger is one of three finalists for the prestigious Joe Yukicka Player of the Year award, presented by the Joe Yukica/NH Chapter of the National Football Foundation. Hershberger goes into today’s game with 1,930 yards rushing and 24 TDs on 142 carries. He also has four receptions for 45 yards, and is also second on the team with 53 tackles. His career rushing total is 6,066 yards.

The other two finalists are Salem running back Kevin Todisco (1,757 yards, 17 TDs, plus 251 receiving yards and three TDs) and Exeter running back Daniel Batstone (847 yards and 18 TDs through 10 games, Exeter hosts Londonderry today in the Division I semis).

The finalists were determined by a vote of statewide coaches and media. The winner will be announced on Nov. 28.