6th Grade

Nashua Elks 20, Nashua PAL 6

The Elks Crusaders were too much for the PAL Force, as the Crusaders’ sixth graders won their fourth straight game.

D.J. Frechette rushed for two touchdowns and Max Osgood ran back an interception 65 yards for a score. Also playing well on the offensive side was Dominick Paladino, Matt Lambalot, Timmy Daigneault, Cameron Bisson and Stephen Signorello.

The Elks played solid defense all game with standout play by Adam Fenlason, Miles Johnson, Brett Shaughnessy, Alex Parrott and Anzor Khadaev.

Jared Leveque connected with Finn Littlefield in the end zone for PAL’s sole score on the day as the Force dropped to 2-2 overall with the loss. Levi Gosselin and AJ Vitali had good days running the football, with offensive support from Jose Melendez, Enaceo Laclaire, Trey Legraw and Mason Dane. The Force defensive standouts were Joe Allen, Justin Anderson, Mason Dane, Andrew Donnegan, Austin Rancourt, Littlefield and Gosselin.

3rd Grade

Nashua PAL tops Nashua Elks

Led by game captains Brody Mills, Chris Heitmiller, Shaun Marion and Kyle Krulikowski, the Force third graders improved to 3-1 with a win over the crosstown rival Elks Crusaders behind touchdowns and PATs by Keegan Mills, James Heitmiller and Robbie Long with strong offensive support from John Jigarjian, Shea Philbrook, Max Ackerman, Owen Finn and Mike Zabriskie. Mills intercepted a pass, and tough defensive efforts from Jaiden Dupont, Chris Heitmiller, Patrick Melanson and Donovan LaBate helped secure the Force win.

4th Grade

Pelham Razorbacks 32, Nashua Elks Crusaders 6

The Nashua Elks Crusader’s fourth graders lost to Pelham, evening their overall record at 2-2.

The Razorbacks capitalized early on special teams and returned two punts for touchdowns. The Crusaders attempted to move the ball behind the running of Casey McNally and Jeffrey Reza, aas well as the arm of Andrew Penkala, but at the end of the first half Nashua found itself down 20-0.

In the second half, the Crusaders’ defense played better and received solid performances from Brenden Frost, Jaylan Pacheco, Cole Desmond, Mike Robbins, Jeramiah Lones, Braden McDonnell, Aaron Noonan and Jake Robbins. Nashua’s special teams responded late with a 60-yard kickoff return by Penkala for the Crusaders’ only touchdown.

Derry 20, Nashua PAL Force 6

The Nashua PAL Force fourth graders were on the short end of a 20-6 ball game against the Derry Demons. Nathan Nugent, Javon Bell, Aidan Gillis and James Mackenzie turned in good offensive efforts, while Timmy Giaconia, Michael Gillespie, Brian Montminy, Hunter Chenard and Logan Boucher anchored the defense.

5th Grade

Nashua Elks 13, Nashua PAL 6

Schyler Boykin had a interception for a touchdown in the Force’s 13-6 loss to the crosstown rival Elks Crusaders.

Matt Leavitt played well as a receiver, while Alexe Mallor ran the ball well for the Force. Johnny Michelin, Dalton Leonardo and Brian Ahern all turned in solid offensive performances. The defense was competitive with Nevan Roy and Seyvon Sanchez both intercepting passes. Allan Martin, Paul Murtaugh, CJ Grondin and Anthony Costa were all tough on the defensive side.

Jr. PeeWee

Amherst Patriots 19, Merrimack Cardinals 18

The Merrimack Cardinals opened their home schedule with a 19-18 loss to the Amherst Patriots.

Team captains for the Cardinals were Marshall Roy, Tyrance Hicks, Stephen McMahon and Nick Marchand. Quarterbacking for the Cardinals was Brandon Myers, whose quick handoffs assisted the offensive line to keep the game within reach and allowed the Cardinals to score several times. On defense, Kyle Leighton, Tyrance Hicks, Austin Megalaitis, Ryan Devanna and Christian Hyatt all played well. The Cardinals are looking forward to Connor Ogorchock and Jacob Myers returning to play after being injured during practice.

Middle School

Nashua PAL 32, Nashua Elks 6

The Nashua PAL Force varsity improved to 3-1 with a 32-6 win over the Nashua Elks Crusaders.

Colby Gunter, Demitri Jackson, Christian Bouchard, Ben Levesque, Conner Baldassaro and Gregory Stanton all made big plays for the PAL squad.

The PAL JV team lost to the Elks, despite strong games from David Muite, Jeffery Mitchell, Zach Jenkins, Zach Janoff, Jordon Delgado and Mike Muchemore.

Tiny Mites

Merrimack Black Cardinals, Amherst Patriots square off

The Merrimack Cardinals Tiny Black team played the Patriots of Amherst.

The offensive line played well, led by Kaitlyn Tevepaugh, Myles Kantor, Jacob Crow and Andrew Martel. Merrimack’s defense held the Patriots in check, making several tackles in the backfield.

The Cardinals’ defense was led by Matthew Todd, Alec Plouffe, Zachary Maszczak and Nicholas Tevepaugh.

Merrimack Red Cardinals open with Amherst Red Patriots

Merrimack Red opened its home schedule with a game against the Amherst Red Patriots.

The home crowd cheered on the team as they struggled through 40 minutes of play against a well-tuned Patriots team. Although the outcome was unfavorable for the Cardinals, players such as Chaz Peters, Logan Megalitis and Ryan Sheridan put forth a great effort.

U7 Flag

PAL Blue, Yellow squads compete in jamboree

In the New Hampshire Youth Football and Spirit Conference flag football jamboree, the PAL Force Blue squad kept their opponents confused over two games, with nearly every Force player running the ball, which included two spectacular touchdown runs by Charlie Bellavance and a long touchdown run by Patrick Keegan. Ben Mullett had a terrific game with a touchdown and several defensive stops.

Airyan Cora scored twice, while Zaeden Crocker punched in a touchdown of his own. Jessy Allen gobbled up the yards all day long, marching the team up and down the field behind the blocking tandem of Xavier Francis and Jayden Allen.

Stingy defense was played all day, led by defensive stalwarts Bobby Canaway, Cody Morton, Nick Digesse and Gavin Connors.

In the same jamboree, the Force Yellow team rolled as well, with the defense – anchored by Devyn Lavoie, David Simpson, Drew Sheehan and Nicholas Klayton – giving up only one touchdown over two games. Points were put on the board by Kobe Pacheco, Patrick Costa and Art McLaughlin.

Keeping the defenders at bay all morning were Trent Jackson, Reid Lavoie and Dominic Declement.