CROSS COUNTRY

Elementary school runners prep for PAL City Championships

Over 475 elementary school runners competed in the second of two preliminary races leading up to the Nashua Police Athletic League City Cross Country Championships.

The practice race, open to all Nashua elementary school runners, was run in two flights: A 2 kilometer race for runners in third grade and under, and a 3 kilometer race for fifth grade and under.

In team scoring, New Searles, Infant Jesus and Main Dunstable schools placed first through third, respectively, in the girls 3k race, while Sunset Heights, Bicentennial and Main Dunstable did the same in the boys 3k.

The top individual finishers were:

Girls 3k

1. Caroline Fischer, Infant Jesus

2. Cameryn Nichols, Infant Jesus

3. Kendall Bush, Bicentennial

4. Erika Dahl, St. Christopher (6th grader/non-team scoring)

5. Kayla Bednarz, Infant Jesus (6th grader/non-team scoring)

6. Rebecca Ntengeri, Charlotte Avenue

7. Geena Gentile, Main Dunstable

Boys 3k

1. Simon Morrier, St. Christopher

2. Brendon Frost, Bicentennial

3. Tyler Retkevicz, Sunst Heights

4. Alexander Amigo, Main Dunstable

5. Landon Johnson, Bicentennial

Girls 2k (3rd grade and under)

1. Kara Kelliher, New Searles

2. Angelene Clancy, Bicentennial

3. Grace Jones, Birch Hill

4. Amelia Piercy, St. Christopher

5. Aryanna Murray, Main Dunstable

Boys 2k  (3rd grade and under)

1. John Sullivan, New Searles

2. Matthew Beaudette, Main Dunstable

3. Chase Nickerson, St. Christopher

4. Jack Ayer, Bicentennial

5. Brian Ascani, Infant Jesus

FOOTBALL

Hollis/Brookline

Jr. Cavaliers heading to GSL playoffs

The Hollis/Brookline Junior Cavaliers varsity squad overcame a brief deficit in the first half for a 34-20 come-from-behind win over the Bow Bulldogs.

The multi-faceted offense of the Cavs proved too much to handle for Bow, which ran a consistent straight-ahead rushing offense.

The Bulldogs had only given up six points in their first six games combined but their defense was no match for the Jr. Cavs. The Cavs’ offense was powered by 155 yards in passing from quarterback Killian Jeffries and 136 total yards rushing as a team. Standing out on offense for H/B was Nick Schutz with 203 total yards and 18 points.

On defense, the Cavs were relentless in their pursuit of a very talented offensive opponent, holding Bow to the least amount of points it has garnered in any game this season.

H/B had 55 tackles with Andrew Butler, Matt Caponigro, Wyatt Farwell, Brendan MacVarish, Matt Ferenczhalmy, Jack Price and Mark Thibeault combining for an unprecedented 46 tackles.

Tommy Schmalz had a timely blocked punt resulting in an amazing defensive touchdown by Joe Brooks. Tommy Grant also put points on the scoreboard with an impressive touchdown. Price continued with his booming punts averaging 40 yards on the day, with one skillfully placed high hang time punt pinning the Bulldogs down on their own 1-yard line.

With this victory, the Cavs move to 7-0, sealing the regular season division championship and securing the top seed and home-field advantage going into the Granite State League playoffs.

The Cavs will be back in Hollis on Oct. 31 for their first playoff game.

Nashua Elks

4th Grade: Crusaders 33, Monadnock 0

The Nashua Crusaders defeated Monadnock 33-0 behind a well-balanced offense and and a terrific defense.

Offensively, six different players scored points for the Crusaders. Nashua jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter, following touchdowns from Jake Robbins and Andrew Penkala (two TDs), and an extra point run from Jeffrey Reza.

In the second quarter, the Nashua offense continued to put points on the board and received a touchdown from Casey McNally and an extra point run from Jeramiah Lones.

Nashua opened the second half similar to the first, and received a quick touchdown from Mike Robbins; however, following that score the Monadnock defense made adjustments and kept Nashua off the board for the remainder of the game.

The Crusaders’ offense also received contributions from Braden McDonnell, Cole Desmond and Quincy Cotto, who each ran the ball effectively in the second half. As the score indicates, Nashua blocked well all game and received big games from Max Sheppard, Christian Belonga, Brendan Frost, Aaron Noonan, Cotto, McDonnell and Lones.

The Nashua defense had their best game of the season and received highlight plays from Mike Robbins (fumble recovery) and Sheppard (interception).

The Crusaders defense was extremely active all game and limited Monadnock to very few yards.

Also playing well for Nashua, and collecting multiple tackles were Sam Barisano, Desmond, Reza, Jake Robbins, Jack D’Amato, Belonga, Tige McNulty, Jason Messier and Frost.

Nashua PAL

U7 Flag: PAL wins two

The Nashua PAL Force flag teams improved their combined records to 13-3-2 with two impressive wins over the Manchester East Cobras and Bedford Jaguars.

Heading into this weekend’s NHYFSC Flag Football Super Bowl, the PAL squads were the top two seeds in the league.

The Force Yellow team beat the Manchester East Cobras 35-14. Aiden Watson and DJ Declement ripped through the Cobras defense, leading to scores by Kobe Pacheco and Patrick Costa. Devyn and Reid Lavoie shut down one side of the field defensively forcing NorRock to run at defensive stalwarts Art McLaughlin and Trent Jackson.

The battle of the day was at the line of scrimmage where Nick Klayton, Drew Sheehan and David Simpson continuously stymied the Cobras, demonstrating strong fundamental football.

The PAL Blue squad beat the Bedford Jaguars 28-21. Jessy Allen and Jayden Allen alternated runs behind massive holes in the Jaguars defense opened up by blockers Nick Digesse and Cody Morton.

Allen punched two touchdowns across the end zone in the first half. Bobby Canaway and Zaeden Crocker each scored on quarterback keepers. Airyan Cora and Xavier Francis gained yardage on long, zig-zagging runs. Ben Mullett and Canaway kept Bedford at bay all day long.

The Force showed some razzle-dazzle with two reverses for long runs by Charlie Bellavance and Patrick Keegan.

3rd Grade: Force beats Franklin

Led by game captains James Heitmiller, Max Ackerman, Patrick Melanson, Owen Finn, the PAL Force third improved to 4-3 with a victory Franklin. Keegan Mills scored three touchdowns, one coming on a pass from quarterback Robbie Long, who also scored on a run from scrimmage.

Brody Mills, Patrick Melanson, Logan Mathewson, John Jigarjian, Jaiden Dupont and Chris Heitmiller all had strong offensive outings. The defense was anchored by Mike Zabriskie and Jack Zabriskie, Donovan LaBate, Shaun Marion, Kyle Krulikowski and James Heitmiller.

4th Grade: Force 26, Nor-Rock 0

The PAL Force fourth graders improved to 2-4 last weekend with a 26-0 road win over the Nor-Rock Vikings in Raymond.

Brian Montminy, J.J. Kammann (three touchdowns), Tyler Downing, Nathan Nugent all put points on the board for PAL, with offensive support from Austin Ouellette, Jeremy Simmons, Nathan Nugent and Ryan Sheehan.

Playing shutoutout defense for the Frice squad were Griffin Dane, Michael Gillespie, Alex George, Aidan Gillis and James Mackenzie.

5th Grade: Force 31, Franklin 0

The PAL Force fifth graders shut out Franklin 31-0 at Stellos Stadium last weekend. Quarterback Johnny Michelin threw touchdown passes to Troy Bottari (two) and Schyler Boykin, while Randall Jenkins rushed for two more.

Jacob Kostansek also ran the ball for some sizable Force gains. Alexe Mallor, Anthony Costa, Adonis Johnson, Anthony Mele and Allan Martin lead the defense to their second shutout of the season.

6th Grade: Force 29, Franklin 0

The PAL Force sixth graders improved to 4-3 with a 29-0 home win over the Franklin Falcons. Levi Gosselin scored a touchdown and converted the PAT on a pass from quarterback Joey Bernard.

Steven Giaconia, Jared Levesque and Shane Winnett also scored touchdowns, with Steve Lambert kicking for extra points.

Patrick Holt, Hunter Law, Tylor Chase and AJ Vitali, Mason Dane, Andrew Donnegan and Oscar Velavquez also hand standout offensive efforts. Vitali, Justin Anderson, Finn Littlefield (sack), Zach Bodwell, Matt Kratman and Joe Allen anchored the defense.