Nashua North coach Chad Zibolis talks to his team after Friday night's 31-7 win over Manchester Central at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The Nashua High School North football team had a bad taste in its mouth after last season ended.

The Titans won just three games and missed the playoffs, and that’s certainly not what their used to.

All you had to do to see the difference this year was watch a player like linebacker Jack Krulowski run around like a player possessed in Friday night’s 31-7 win ove Manchester Central at Stellos Stadium to see the difference in this year’s team.

“Coming out of last year, we had a really bad season,” said the senior, who was constantly in the Central backfield. “We’ve been working all off-season non-stop. Everybody’s been in the gym constantly, working. We come out every single practice ready to hit, ready to play. We’re just looking for a better season, we just want to take it to (opponents) first play.”

“The kids were flying around,” North coach Chad Zibolis said. “The defense played really, really well…

“Krulikowski was unbelievable. Unbelievable leader. He had not questions about (position). Last year he wanted to be a tight end but this year he just popped in and said ‘I’m going to be an offensive tackle and I’m going to be a linebacker and fly around the field. He had just an unbelieveable game.”

“Nashua North got off the ball and they really brought it on just about every play,” Central coach Ryan Ray said.

SOUTH GOES WITH THE FLOW

Nashua South coach Josh Porter was happy with how his team handled the different aspects of the Panthers’ 36-25 win over Malden (Mass.) Catholic on Friday night.

“They were a pretty talented football team with a lot of size and speed,” Porter said. “I was happy with how efficient we were offensively, and we made some key stops when we needed it.”

But Porter liked the tone the Panthers set.

“I’d say the most important part was that we handled the ebbs and flows of the game very well. We didn’t flinch when starting in the hole 7-0. Then late on we kept our composure and closed out the game after the momentum fully swung their way in the fourth quarter and they closed the gap on the good lead we built.

“We showed some great resolve there and I’m very proud of that.”

Now South will have the feature game of the area when the Panthers host Bedford on Friday night. And Bedford is coming off a 48-20 win over Merrimack.

But they know it was only Week 1.

“It’s great to get a positive result here,” Bedford coach Bennett Matthews said. “But with a good team like (Nashua) South ahead of us, it’s important to keep moving forward.”

GUERTIN GETS ROLLING

Bishop Guertin QB Nate Bowen picked up where he left off last season. Now a junior, Bowen threw for two TDs and ran for another in the Cards’ 35-8 win over Pathfinder Tech in Palmer, Mass.

His first strike was a 51-yarder to Ryan Connolly, and his second was a 36-yarder to Rocco Roy. Then he added a 7-yard rushing score, all in the first quarter. BG’s other score in the period was Logan Curran’s 6-yard run. Bowen added the PATs on all, but not Will Adams’ 3-yard rushing TD in the second quarter. That extra point was by Peter Cerrato.

The Cards will host Merrimack in their Division I opener on Saturday night at 6 at Stellos Stadium.

Merrimack Senior TE/DL Zach Retey (87) leads the line to shake hands with the coaching staff, a tradition under Tomahawks head coach Kip Jackson, after Friday’s season opener vs. Bedford. (Photo by Dan Attori)

‘HAWKS LIKE TORRES

Maverick Torres is settling in as Merrimack’s starting quarterback.

Torres was a bright spot for Merrimack in Friday’s loss, finishing the game with 204 yards on 15-for-24 passing and connecting with seven different receivers. His chemistry with Dine was especially prominent, with Dine hauling in six catches for 90 yards.

“He’s been getting better all summer,” coach Jackson said of his new quarterback. “We’re looking forward to seeing how he grows this season, but definitely a promising start for him. He does a very good job letting the game come to him, that’s what you want out of your quarterback.”

SABER POWER

The Souhegan High School football team just keeps churning out players. Ryland Raudelunas had a four score night in the 40-14 win over St. Thomas in Dover. Not only did he lead Souhegan with 15 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns, and he added a 14-yard receiving touchdown and a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown.

(Telegraph Correspondent Dan Attori and Seacoast Meda’s Terrill Covey contributed to this report.)