Nashua South back Sam Levine races away from Sam Fayad (2) and the rest of the Bishop Guertin defense during Friday night's epic city clash at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The big games just continue for Nashua South and Bishop Guertin.

Both will look to put this past Friday’s dramatic Panthers’ 28-24 comeback win over the Cards in the rear view mirror.

They really have no choice. South (5-1 overall, 4-1 Division I) faces fellow 4-1 contender Manchester Memorial (also 5-1 overall) Friday at Stellos Stadium, while BG (4-1, 5-1 overall) jumps from the frying pan into the fire when it has to face 6-0 Bedford at Bulldog Stadium.

“We’ve got to circle the wagons,” said Guertin coach Anthony Nalen, who may or may not be able to coach in that game due to an ejection by officials at the end of the game. “We’ve got to play the best team in the state. I’m super proud of the kids, they worked really hard all week in practice, prepared themselves, and went and battled for four quarters. … Correctable mistakes, things we need to fix and get ready for the best team in the state.”

There may be help for BG down the road, as Nalen said after the game injured receivers Alex Dolan and Ryan Connelly are expected back before the end of the season, possibly in two weeks vs. Goffstown.

Meanwhile for the Panthers, their confidence has to be growing. They know they have a Colvin Levesque (two interceptions) to shut down the opponent’s passing game, and a quarterback in Cody Jackson who has a great rapport with his receivers.

“It’s hard not to (give them confidence),” South coach Josh Porter said. “Hard not to right? You look at this game, it was a playoff game. We’ve got some big games coming up the next couple of weeks. You love having this experience with the kids. Hopefully it pays off down the road. That’s a damn good football team, I want to give credit to Coach Nalen as well.”

“This means a lot,” Panther Justin Fish said. “It showed us what we can really do when we’re down with adversity.”

South and BG met last year in the playoffs, so who knows? It would be game many would love to see as it’s still a big city rivalry.

“Honestly this win,” Levesque said, “means more to us than the North one.”

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Jackson is certainly an “us” vs. a “me” player. He gave full credit to South center Kevin Hamel, whom Porter has called the team’s best offensive lineman, for his game-winning TD run.

“He made two great blocks,” Jackson said. “He blocked his defensive lineman and then got to the goal line before me and vacated the safety. So that’s really a touchdown for him. I didn’t do much on that.”

SABERS SET FOR PLYMOUTH

With another big game ahead, the legend of Ryland Raudelunas keeps growing at Souhegan.

“He’s been our best player,” Souhegan coach Robin Bowkett said of the back that ran for 266 yards and four TDs on 17 carries in the Sabers’. “He would be the first to tell you it starts with our guys up front. We’ve got a lot of continuity with the guys up front. They do a really good job, they take pride in their work each day. A lot (of credit) needs to go to them and the tight ends and the receives that block, but Ryland’s been our best player and the constant. He’s always calm. Doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low. I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s worked so hard and he’s such a good kid.”

With Michael Fiengo and last week’s QB Brody Smith due back, the Sabers should be set for their usual look for Saturday’s big showdown against fellow unbeaten (6-0) Plymouth.

“Once we can run our normal offense and give the other team a different look, that’s always helpful to keep them off balance,” Bowkett said. But no matter who the personnel are, you can expect the Sabers to be prepared.

“We always come in with a great game plan,” Raudelunas said. “Our guys do a great job executing that.”

CAVALIERS DISAPPOINTED

After winning their first game in almost three years, the Hollis Brookline football team had great expectations going into last Friday’s Senior Night home game vs. ConVal.

They even jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but it didn’t turn out in their favor as they allowed 33 unanswered points en route to a 33-14 loss.

Cavs QB Steve Nieble ran for one score (5 yards) and threw for another (11-yard pass to Landon Barry). Plus, Cole Duncan caught a 2-point conversion pass.

But it wasn’t nearly enough.

“We got complacent, then panicked,” Cavs coach Pat Gendron said. “Totally on me. Just have to do better to change the identity of this program, as well as put our guys in places to be successful.”

A dejected group of Campbell football ;players line up to shake hands folloiwng their upset loss at the hands Saturday of Epping-Newmarket in Litchfield. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CAMPBELL?

The Cougars saw their long regular season win streak come to close thanks to Epping-Newmarket, 28-16 on Saturday. Cougars coach Glen Costello feels it’s a good lesson learn as the team attempts to turn a negative into a positive. The Cougars host 3-2 Lebanon on Saturday.

“Practice was actually pretty good, just one of those things,” Costello said. “Wins and losses happen, and we have our 24-hour rule of celebrate or mourn, then move on to the next week. Obviously we’ve had a lot of success. At the end of the day, this is probably a real good teachable moment, that you have to do all the little things correctly throughout the week, and all the little things preparation wise.”

OTHER GAMES THIS WEEKEND

Anybody up for a trip to the seacoast? Locally in Division I, Merrimack (3-2), winners of three straight, will look to keep the roll going at Dover (1-5), while Nashua North, losers of four straight after a 2-0 start, will head to face Portsmouth-Oyster River. The 2-3 ClipperCats were actually idle this past weekend after their big win over Winnacunnet as their non-league game at Oxford Hills (Me.) was cancelled. Alvirne (1-5) will be at Timberlane (3-3); the Owls beat Goffstown 29-14 on Friday.

Finally, in Division II, Milford (2-4) will look to bounce back Friday vs. 4-2 St. Thomas of Dover in Milford.