Nashua South's Colvin Levesque and Central's Owen Taylor-Gelinas can't reach a pass intended for Taylor-Gelinas during a game last season. Levesque and the Panthers are at Malden Catholic tonight while the LIttle Green come to Stellos Stadium to face Nashua North. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

Welcome to the start of the local NHIAA high school football season, as all nine area teams are in action tonight.

Here’s a capsule look:

TONIGHT

DIVISION I

NASHUA SOUTH AT MALDEN (Mass.) CATHOLIC

WHEN: 6 p.m.

WHERE: Brother Gilbert Stadium on Malden Catholic campus.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Lancers are looking to improve from a 6-5 season a year ago after going 4-8 in 2023, and appear to be on the same upward trend of the Panthers who have a ton of talent back, led by senior QB Cody Jackson and his favorite target, fellow senior Josh Tripp. South may try to key on Lancers senior back Treyvon Turner and scheme offensively away from senior middle linebacker Dylan Clough. They seem to have a senior group up front.

THE PICK: South 28, MC 21. Blind choice here, but the Panthers have a lot of talent.

MANCHESTER CENTRAL at NASHUA NORTH

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Nashua’s Stellos Stadium

LAST WEEK: This is the season opener

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Titans are looking to bounce back from a two-win season that wasn’t too much fun for anyone, and there will be some new faces, including at QB. But four return up front on both sides, led by Jack Krulowski. Central, meanwhile, starts a sophomore, Drake James, at QB but depth thanks to low numbers is an issue. The game will be televised on Nashua ETV.

THE PICK: North 17, Central 10. A typical season opener where both teams make mistakes.

BEDFORD AT MERRIMACK

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Merrimack’s Student Memorial Field.

LAST YEAR: Bedford 47, Merrimack 0

FYI: The Bulldogs are looking to get back to their championship ways with a heralded QB, Benett Matthews, and all-everything back Brody Helton. Merrimack has a new QB, too, junior Maverick Torres, and has playmaker Shea Egan back. Still might be tough to hang with the ‘Dogs, though. If they do, watch out West.

THE PICK: Bedford 34, Merrimack 21. ‘Hawks will be competitive, and then we’ll see.

BISHOP GUERTIN AT PATHFINDER TECH

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE : Palmer, Mass.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Cards, expecting to be a playoff team with QB Nate Bowen and back Hudson Schmitt leading a potent offense, were scrambling for a game for this week after North Middlesex backed out. The Pioneers are coming off a 3-7 season, mainly against other vocational tech schools.

THE PICK: Bishop Guertin 35, Pathfinder 13. Another blind pick, but the Cards have enough talent here.

LONDONDERRY AT ALVIRNE

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Alvirne HS in Hudson.

LAST YEAR: Londonderry 44, Alvirne 0

FYI:The Broncos are starting anew, with basically heralded back Mike Landmesser the major returnee after a great senior class said ‘bye. Plus, of course, it’s a new era with new athletic director Justin Hufft also the football coach. Ethan Dudley will be the new QB. Londonderry has a junior heavy group, and but with Alvirne really staring over it seems that’s going to be good enough for the Aidan Cruz-led Lancers.

THE PICK: Londonderry 34, ALVIRNE 14. Just a matter of a rebuild for the Broncos.

DIVISION II

SOUHEGAN AT SAINT THOMAS

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: St. Thomas HS.

LAST YEAR: Souhegan 37, St.Thomas 14.

FYI: The Sabers are loaded, numbers galore led by QB Mike Fiengo, one of the best playmakers in the division as a surprirse. The Saints, with new coach Scott Bray, a New Jersey import, have low numbers and depth issues. Top back Kenny Avery has returned, and there’s speed at the receiver positions.

THE PICK: Souhegan 40, St. Thomas 21. Both teams move the ball but the Sabers have that finishing talent.

PLYMOUTH AT MILFORD

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Milford HS.

LAST YEAR: Plymouth 55, Milford 0.

FYI: The Spartans don’t have the greatest of numbers, but a second year under head coach Max Morelli will help with continuity. So will having back like Gavyn Tessier and Jace Wilhemi returning, although they were hurt by the transfer of Brady O’Connor to North. Plymouth is still stinging on being upset at home in the playoffs by Souhegan, lost nine senior starters and will rely on new running QB Cavan Sanborn. They do have All-State back Ben Valenti returning.

THE PICK: Plymouth 35, Milford 18. Spartans hope to compete as the ‘Cats are just getting the pieces together.

HOLLIS BROOKLINE AT KINGSWOOD

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Kingsood Regional in Wolfeboro.

LAST YEAR: Kingswood 40, Hollis Brookline 0

FYI: The Cavs may be a mystery with a lot of players,new and old, at different positions under new coach Patrick Gendron, but the key is a “lot” of players. The numbes are significantly up, buoyed by a strong freshman class. Landon Barry and Jacob Velez are going to be leading this group.

Kingswood has high expectations, led by the return of backSerafin Agramonte-Jose, but have a sophomore at QB which is never easy.

THE PICK: Kingswood 28, Hollis Brookline 21. Kingswood reportedly got bigger and stronger, but this looks like a different HB group, as practices weren’t the intimate gatherings they were last year (low numbers). We’re drinking the Gendron Kool Aid for more of a competitive, football-type group that will at least compete.

DIVISION III

CAMPBELL at LACONIA

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: LHS’ Bank of NH Stadium.

LAST YEAR: Campbell 28, Laconia 7.

FYI: Sure, the Cougars don’t have the Hershbergers, so no instant offense. But they do have the likes of Braydon White, QB Mikey Grace, and Brody Pinciaro,etc.back. They lost just four seniors, and the first day of practice was so smooth head coach Glen Costello had to figure out what else to do.

Laconia? The Sachems have 30 upperclassmen, led by QB Carter Jones and backs Jake Tryon and Ryan Walsh. They should be a playoff team.

THE PICK: Campbell 21, Laconia 18. Just a feeling this won’t be easy, not on the road.