Former Nashua South standout Kyle Emmons (14) and Diego Cabrera are looking forward to next Friday's annual CHaD East-West All-Star Game at Emmons' future home, Saint A's Grappone Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

MANCHESTER – Kyle Emmons will take a look at his surroundings at next Friday night’s annual CHaD East-West All-Star Football Game and take plenty of mental notes.

That’s because about five or six weeks later, he’ll be right back at Saint Anselm College’s Grappone Stadium to being his collegiate career.

Emmons, who likely will be in the secondary for Team West, battled the injury bug with the Panthers, especially through his sophomore year. Senior year he pulled his hamstring, missed the first four games. No one knew he had also hurt his back; in the Bedford game he bruised his quad and played through that.

How’d he get through it?

“The guys, they give me energy, seeing how good of a team we were,” Emmons said. “That gave me motivation to keep playing.”

And after next Friday, he will keep playing. He said the Saint A’s staff liked his defensive ability and his play in the secondary.

“Just the hard work I put in, a hard-hitter,” said Emmons who was a strong safety throughout his time as a Panther. Sometimes he wishes he played up front because he loves to hit.

He’s already preparing for what the next level will take. “I’ve been talking to a few of my friends about it,” Emmons said. “They’re telling me it’s defintely hard, but once you get in the groove it’s easier.”

He likes the newness of the CHaD Game, and he thinks he’ll make some new friends on Team West.

One of those, of course he already knows, and that’s former Nashua South teammate Diego Cabrera.

Cabrera wasn’t quite sure he’d be worthy of being on the CHaD Team West roster.

He had struggled early in his Nashua High School South career, had suffered an injury plagued junior season. That meant he had one last chance, his senior year.

He nailed it. He joins a local contingent that is sprinkled with Panthers.

His goals this season were to “put up big numbers, my strength,make the team better,” he said, saying it was “really fun” to run, catch, but also play defense. He’s going to miss not only the Panthers, but also football as next Friday’s annual CHaD East-West All-Star Game at Saint Anselm’s Grappone Stadium will be his last. He’s going to work in the trades, learning to be an electrician.

“It’s going to hit, obviously, but I want to grind out and make this one the best. I didn’t have my freshman, sophomore, junior year so I want to make this one count. Very special.”

That’s the same feeling his former Panther teammate, 6-2 offensive lineman Kevin Ndubuisi said, as he was glad to be back on the field.

“It feels good, it’s been a while,” Ndubuisi said, noting that he didn’t compete in any other sport this school year. This will be his last game.

How will that feel?

“I don’t know yet,” he said. “I’ve invited all my family and friends to come to this. This is for a good cause, for everything good. That’s what’s making me feel happy being part of this game.”

What’s he expecting next Friday?

“What am I expecting? I’m expecting everything, really,” he said. “It’s against some of the best players in the state.”

Ndubuisi said it will be nice to suit up with teammates like Cabrera and Emmons one last time.

He’s going to UMass-Lowell to study business but says he will miss athletic competition.

“I am, I am a lot,” he said. “Once I take these pads off for the last time, I know I’m going to feel emotional.”

He won’t be alone.