FOOTBALL FRIDAY: A capsule look at rest of weekend
Souhegan's Aidan Reardon, left, and the rest of the Sabers will host Milford tonight. (File photo)
The Game of the Week this weekend is obviously Nashua South vs. Bishop Guertin on Friday. But there are other games on the docket as well, so While BG-South gets its own billing, here’s a capsule look at the rest of the schedule:
TONIGHT
DIVISION I
NASHUA NORTH (2-3) at BEDFORD (5-0)
WHEN : 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bedford’s Bulldog Stadium.
LAST WEEK: Bishop Guertin 51, Nashua North 27; Bedford 42, Exeter 7.
LAST YEAR: Bedford 35, North 3.
FYI: The Titans will have their hands full, especially on the road, as they are finishing up a gauntlet of three straight games vs. imposing offenses. Bedford is led by QB Bennett Matthews and back Brody Helton, while the Panthers best bet may be pound the ball with their backs and QB Harrison Joshi and keep the ball away from the potent Bedford offense.
THE PICK: Bedford 42, North 21. Titans play them tough but the ‘Dogs pull away.
ALVIRNE (1-4) at PINKERTON (5-0)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: PA’s Alumni Field in Derry.
LAST WEEK: Pinkerton 36, Concord 27; Alvirne 28, Manchester Central 14.
LAST YEAR: Pinkerton 30, Alvirne 17.
FYI: The Broncos came alive in front of a big crowd last weekend led by QB Ethan Dudley and back Mike Landmesser, but now they face a rough task of having to compete with the Astros, who ironically had trouble at Concord last weekend. Pinkerton is paced by back Brady Spellman and others who lead a potent rushing attack, as well as QB Aiden McDonald.
THE PICK: Pinkerton 44, Alvirne 13. Broncos will do what they can but the numbers just don’t match up.
DIVISION II
MILFORD (2-3) at SOUHEGAN (5-0).
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Souhegan’s Calvetti Field.
LAST WEEK: Souhegan 35, Hanover 7; Manchester West 34, Milford 0.
LAST YEAR: Souhegan 43, Milford 6.
FYI: This is a game that will again highlight the different levels of Division II. The numbers simply don’t match up, but the Spartans will give it a go nonetheless led by Jace Wilhemi and QB Jacob Hill. Souhegan loses QB Michael Fiengo for a week with what’s been descibed as a minor injury and has a Brody Smith to fill in and rush for 100-plus yards. It’s just another example of depth.
THE PICK: Souhegan 42, Milford 7. Sabers continue their roll, but now Plymouth and Pelham await.
CONVAL (1-4) at HOLLIS BROOKLINE (1-4)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: HBHS Stadium.
LAST WEEK: HB 21, John Stark 6; Pelham 56, ConVal 7.
LAST YEAR: ConVal 52, Hollis Brookline 8.
FYI: This won’t be anything like last year, with the Cougars struggling since a big opening night OT win over Kennett.
CV is led by QB Kurt Dean and backs Wetu Selby and Henry MacKenzie-Hartwell. The Cavs are still on a high after their snapping a 27-game losing streak behind QB Steve Nieble and two-way player Cole Duncan.
THE PICK: HB 21, ConVal 17. The Cavs have their first two-game win streak in four years.
SATURDAY
DIVISION III
EPPING-NEWMARKET (2-2) at CAMPBELL (5-0)
WHEN: 11 A.M.
WHERE: CHS in Litchfield.
LAST WEEK: Campbell 34, Gilford 7; Laconia 22, Epping-Newmarket 13.
LAST YEAR: Campbell 34, Epping-Newmarket 14.
FYI: Campbell keeps using its playmaking depth with Braydon White and Brody Pinciaro while E-N has players such as Anthony Semprini and lineman Hunter Raymond.
THE PICK: Campbell 28, Epping-Newmarket 14. Cougars aren’t blowing out opponents, but winning in an efficient matter.
MERRIMACK (2-2) at KEENE (1-4).
WHEN: 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: KHS Alumni Stadium.
LAST WEEK: Nashua South 47, Keene 7; Merrimack 42, Goffstown 14.
LAST YEAR: Merrimack 20, Keene 13.
FYI: Keene hasn’t been the same since an opening night win, losers of four straight. The Tomahawks, meanwhile keep getting better with QB Maverick Torres and Cayden Dine, and are really developing.
THE PICK: Merrimack 28, Keene 21. Beware of the Blackbirds on day/Homecoming games, but the ‘Hawks shall overcome.


