FOOTBALL

Nashua PAL Force

Flag: NPF GREEN 35, Monadnock 21

NPF Green opened the season with a victory over the Mountaineers from Monadnock 35-21.  The Green veteran backfield of Cody Morton, Nicolas Digesse and Drew Sheehan all scored touchdowns on their return to the grid iron. Offensive linemen Jack Peters and Tyler Girouard were blowing up the Mountaineers defense opening holes for running backs Luke Peters and Dmitri Moreno to score touchdowns.  Defensively Green was led by the shutdown corner play of Caeden Sheahan and Toby Brown and the linebacker stunts of Tyler Girouard.

Flag: NPF YELLOW 28, NPF WHITE 21

NPF Yellow and White opened the season at Stellos with Yellow topping White 28-21. Yellow veterans led the offense with Xavier Francis scoring and Bobby Canaway adding three touchdowns on the day. The Yellow line dominated play early and often behind the blocking of the Prangley brothers (Chris and Cam) and Charley Mewkill.

Defensively Jerimiah Levesque and Michael Jigarjian set up shop in the backfield throughout the game while Aidan McLaughlin and Maurice L’Heureux shut down the edge.  The White offense saw scoring drives led by veteran signal caller Trent Jackson and newcomers Bailey Landsteiner and Derek Finlay.  Battling in the trenches for White were Nathan Ruiter, Cody Goode and Jayden Allen.  The White sack attack combo of Ben Mullett and Zach Proulx proved a challenge all day for Yellow.  Cornerback Zaeden Crocker played shut down ball with Austin Spooner and Severen Johnson ripping flags off all day.

Flag: NPF BLUE 42, NPF RED 21

NPF Blue and Red opened the season with BLue topping red in a tough battle. Red opened the season with veterans Devyn Lavoie, David Simpson and Ariyan Cora each lighting up the scoreboard for touchdowns along with newcomer John Barry.  Offensive lineman Brady Sullivan, Reid Lavoie and Derek Schlupf blocked effectively all game long.

Jayce Cora, Jack Hamblett, Jake O’Connor and Luke Smiley provided Blue with all they could handle defensively throughout the game.

The Blue defense played a “bend-but-don’t break” scheme with Peter Wilson, Ryan Forcier, Sam Marshall and Michael Gigliotti wreaking havoc in the Red backfield.  The Blue offense put on an aerial show early in the game with veteran QB Patrick Keegan hitting PJ Costa for a touchdown. Costa doubled down on another run while veteran Charlie Bellavance bulled his way into the end zone, and talented newcomer Thomas Laurendi was a frequent visitor there as well. Blue’s line play was anchored by Dylan McDermott and Lorenzo Abreu.

3rd Grade: Londonderry defeats PAL

NPF locked horns with a well coached Londonderry Wildcats team at Stellos Stadium, but came up short of a victory.

QB Robby Long scored a touchdown completed several passes to Logan Matthews, who ran the ball well. Isaiah Berry and Andrew Barry made a nice running tandem, while Aiden Bashor and Max Ackerman anchored a tough defensive line making key stops the entire game.

Zach Howard, Chris McQuinn and Alex Forbes made their presence felt on defense with solid tackling up and down the line.

5th grade: PAL 27, Hollis/Brookline 6

In their home opener at Stellos Stadium, NPF used their entire arsenal to defeat the Hollis/Brookline Junior Cavaliers 27-6. Michael Gillespie scored the first touchdown of the year, while the NPF defense’s JJ Fiore added six by pouncing on a fumble recovery in Hollis’ end zone.

The defense also added a safety. Nathan Nugent ran for 100 yards and scored a touchdown, and Chris Heitmuller had a number of big hits on defense. James Heitmuller and Nathan Nugent both picked off passes.

6th Grade: Londonderry 7, PAL 0

The PAL Force 6th Graders lost to the Londonderry Wildcats in 7-0 defensive tilt at Stellos Stadium.

Danny Mahoney and Alex White played to the whistle on every offensive down, while teamates Nevan Roy, Matt Franco and Allan Martin gave a “no quit”

effort on offense but were stymied by a solid Londonderry defense. NPF’s defense, led by Troy Bottari and Schyler Boykin, kept the game tight to the final horn. Adonis Johnson, Anthony Costa and CJ Grondin battled for every tackle on defense and earned a the healthy respect of the Londonderry offensive line.

Middle School Junior Varsity: Salem 32, PAL 0

The Nashua PAL JV team put up a good fight against a highly talented Salem Rams squad, holding the Salem squad scoreless in the second half with a defense lead by Finn Littlefield, Damean Currier and Felix Ortiz. Enrique Alvarez, AJ Vitali and Levi Gosselin turned in solid offensive performances.

Middle School Varsity: PAL 16, Monadnock 0

A well-balanced attack on offense buttressed by a relentless defense earned the NPF Varsity squad a solid 16-0 victory over the Monadnock Moutaineers in their home opener at Stellos Stadium. Running backs Greg Stanton and Dylan Salazar hit paydirt with touchdowns and converted extra points.

Opening holes and lanes to the end zone with excellent blocking were Mike Munchmore, Oscar Velasquez and Indiana Messier.Turnovers were forced by Max Fay (QB sack causing fumble) and Dylan Salazar (interception). Josh Pena, Trevor Lessard and John Sweeney penetrated Monadnock’s backfield all day long.

Merrimack Cardinals

Cardinals Mitey Mites score second win

The Merrimack Cardinals Mitey Mite team played their second home game on September 11 against the Seacoast Raiders picking up their second win. The Cardinals came out strong in the first half with a touchdown by Zach Twardosky, tackles by Kaiden Orme and Casey Craven and fumble recoveries by Aiden Laporte and Aidan Parzych. Mason Walters had a 25 yard run along with impressive tackles by Jacob Schiltz and John “Duke” McLain. Kaiden Orme started off the second half with determination and intensity making 3 great tackles. Caden Dudash and Ryan Williams showed great teamwork with their tackle which resulted in a turnover of downs. Then the breakaway we were all waiting for – an amazing 85 yard run by Zach Twardosky! Our defense held their own with tackles by Zach Maszczak, Ryan Williams and a great tackle by Kaiden Orme on the fourth down behind the line of scrimmage. The Mitey Mite team plays next week at Bedford.

Merrimack Varsity 32, Sanborn Indians 0

The Merrimack Cardinals Junior High Varsity team kicked off their season with an impressive 32-0 victory under the lights at Merrimack High School. The Cardinals rode RB Ian Roberts and played tenacious defense throughout to scalp the Sanborn Indians.

Merrimack moved the ball effectively in the early going, but several drives stalled deep in Indians territory or ended with turnovers. The two teams seemed destined to battle to a scoreless first half before QB Mitchell McMahon ran the two minute offense to perfection to get the Cards on the scoreboard.

McMahon hit RB Daniel Vanacek on a key first down reception. Roberts and RB T.J. Hart each mixed in first down runs. The Cards finally got into the end zone when McMahon threw a missile to WR Alex Ackerman for a 14-yard touchdown reception. Ackerman out dueled two Sanborn defenders for a leaping grab to cap a 60-yard drive in the final 90 seconds of the second quarter. Roberts added the conversion to stake Merrimack to an 8-0 halftime lead.

The Cardinals picked things up defensively in the second stanza, allowing just one first down the rest of the way. Roberts snagged a wayward Indians pass and his interception return gave the Cardinals the ball with excellent field position. Roberts then switched into beast mode for the rest of the game, breaking off a 35-yard touchdown blast and adding the conversion to put the Cards up 16-0.

McMahon added a nifty interception of his own and his return again set up Merrimack on the Sanborn side of the field. Roberts proved to be just warming up, as he exploded for a 24- yard touchdown run. He would tack on a 29-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to add the exclamation point to a great team effort. Roberts ended the evening with 200 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and two extra point conversions to go along with a sparkling 14.2 yards per carry average.

Hart put up 70 tough rushing yards, including four runs of 10 or more yards, to go along with two extra point conversions. The Cardinals offensive line had its way most of the game and created openings to enable their running backs to break into the secondary with regularity.

Andrew Dichard earned a Purple Heart award and a commendation for meritorious service. He stood his ground while getting run over by a Sanborn running back but still held on to make the tackle. Minutes later, he got obliterated fielding a punt but still managed to hang onto the football. Showing no ill effects, Dichard went on to make several tackles on defense.

Defenders Avery Paulson, Joseph DeGregorio, Lucas McGrath, Nate Anderson, Adam Black, Jason Theriault, and Morgan Summers helped clog the line of scrimmage and made life miserable for the Indians offense.

Nashua Crusaders

5th Grade: Pelham 27, Nashua Crusaders 6

The Crusaders opened their 2011 season against Pelham, NH. The Razorbacks scored early and never relinquished the lead. Nashua battled hard all afternoon and received offensive contributions from Jaylan Pacheco, Brendon Frost, Casey McNally, Jake Robbins, Jeffrey Reza, and Andrew Penkala. Pacheco scored the Crusader’s only touchdown in the 4th quarter following a hard run from the 2-yard line. The team received solid blocking up front from Jason Messier, Max Shepherd, Nathanial Tejada, Brandon Martin, and Braedon McDonnell. Defensively, Nashua received big games from Penkala, Frost, McDonnell, Pacheco, Robbins, and McNally. Also playing well on defense were Cole Desmond (fumble recovery), Allan Godfrey, and Tanner Plourde. The following Crusaders also played well all game: Gabe Perrault (special teams return), Connor Dube, Alex Fortier, and Tige McNulty.

H/B Cavaliers

Hartford (Vt.) 20, H/B Jr. Cavs 8

The HB Junior Cavalier JV football team matched up with a strong Hartford squad in White River Junction and fell by a score of 20-8 in their second tilt. The Jr. Cavs offense showed signs of life in the second half and was most productive through the air with Michael Allanach, Ryan Carr, and Josh Farmer sharing the QB duties. Stephen Giaconia scored a long TD on a nifty catch and run, and Allanach, Brian Repp and Ryan Swope all contributed with receptions. Derek Davidson tacked on a 2 point conversion and Brian Delaney also gained some tough yards on the ground.

Defensively, HB fought hard to combat Hartford’s size, strength and impressive ground attack and was led by solid play along the defensive line by Kevin Bergeron and Alex McElvery. Allanach and Giaconia also provided frequent run stopping support from the defensive backfield. The Jr. Cavs will hope to rebound at Concord in their upcoming 3rd game of the GSFL season.

HOCKEY

Two big wins for Hollis Squirt 1

In Valley League Youth Hockey action the Hollis Cavaliers Squirt 1 Team dominated the Saugus Squirt 2 Team, defeating them by the score of 12-4. The CAVs scoring efforts were led by Isaac Rogers who netted 4 goals, and Max Sears who had a hat trick. The other Cavs talleys were scored by TJ Vitullo (2 goals), while Brandon Hugh, David Wang and Austin Ciszek each added a goal. The CAVs defensemen Sean Kelly, Chris Sullivan and Anil Rao played exceptionally well moving the puck up ice and helping CAVs goalie Ben Goolsby shut down the opposing team.

In their second Valley League game the Cavaliers Squirt 1 Team faced a tough Andover Squirt 3 team, but came up the winner 8-5. At the end of the first period the CAVs were down by the score of 5-4, when half way into the second period TJ Vitullo broke things open on a break away goal off a beautiful pass by line mate Max Sears. The CAVs never looked back; adding three more goals by Isaac Rogers, Max Sears and David Wang. The Cavs defensive men Anil Rao, Chris Sullivan and Sean Kelly, shut down the Andover’s ability to move the puck in the final two periods, while Ben Goolsby remained strong between the pipes.

Nashua Mite 1 start season with two wins

Nashua Panthers Mite 1 started off the season on the road by beating Arlington Mass. 8-1. Brooke Yabroudy led the way with a hat trick. Dylan Troiano and Sean Morrissey add two goal each with Dominic Carozza chipping in with a goal and two assist. Joe Pillsbury and Corey Girouard were both strong defensively and also had two assist apiece. In the second game versus Twin City, the Panthers continued scoring. Carozza and Yabroudy each hit the back of the net twice with Morrissey and Troiano each adding a goal in a 6-3 victory. Sam Clauson and Daniel Woodford took over on defense by shutting down Arlington and Twin City’s offense. The question mark for the Panther’s 2011-12 season was goaltending but with the solid performance from first year net minder Brian Chisholm over this weekend, it looks like their questions have been answered.

WRESTLING

MYA holding Info Night Sept. 28

The Merrimack Youth Association Wrestling Program would like announce its first Wrestling Information Night to be held on September 28, 2011 at 6:00pm in the Merrimack Middle School gym. Come and learn about both the sport of wrestling and the MYA program. We will also feature live wrestling with some of our current and former wrestlers. This program is open to new and returning wrestlers and will serve as our first registration opportunity. Additional registrations will take place at the MYA building on the following dates: Oct.1 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), October 5 (5:30-7:30 p.m.), Oct. 8 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), Oct. 12 (5:30-7:30 p.m.).

The MYA Wrestling Program is open to boys and girls from (grades K-6) and is a great way to keep kids active during the winter months. Wrestling stresses respect, discipline and self confidence while helping kids build strength, flexibility and endurance. For more information, please visit www.myawrestling.com.

SKIING

Snowflake-Lyndeborough Club offering discounted passes

The Snowflake-Lyndeborough Ski Club at Crotched Mountain offers discount season passes for adults and students and special lesson programs at the lowest price the mountain allows. Deadline is October 12, 2012 for club prices. Anyone is welcomed to join.

To join: Log onto the main site: www.crotchedmountain.com; click on GROUPS AND CLUBS; clicko on CLUB PROGRAMS; and go to MEMBER LOG-IN. The club name is Snowflake Ski Club and the password is snowmember. Pass options should appear. For help to register or for more information contact club organizer Kathleen Humphreys at 654-5111 or kmbh@tds.net.

SWIMMING

FINS holding six-week program

The FINS swim team will be running a six week pre-team swim program for kids/families who are considering a swim team but are not ready to make the full year commitment either because their child/children does not have the requisite skills or they are not sure how they will like it. The target age group is 10&under. Ideally, the swimmers should be able to swim 25 yards of the pool unassisted. Each stroke will be addressed as well as basic starts and turns so the kids can test the waters. It’s a developmental, non-competitive program. Depending on the swimmers’ ability level at the end of the program, they may have the option of joining the team. The mini-FINS pre-team program will run for six weeks on Sunday mornings from 10-11 a.m. starting Sunday, Sept.26. Cost will be $100. Contact Stasia Dionne at sstani@aol.com for more information.

BASEBALL

Team G.I.D. holding tryouts

Team G.I.D AAU Baseball is still holding private tryouts for U11 and U12/Cooperstown, 14s and U17 all-tournament team. Call 438-4271. Check out www.sporttryouts.com for all tryouts camps and clinics for any sport or sporting event.

BASKETBALL

Nashua Biddy registration time

Registration Forms for the 2011-2012 Biddy Basketball Program will be available at selected areas around Nashua beginning this. Only new players to the league or players moving up an age division need to register. Players returning to their old team do not have to register.

The Nashua Parks & Recreation Department will be accepting 2011 Biddy Basketball Registrations until Friday, Oct. 14, 2011 at 5 p.m. All new players and players moving up in an age division are required to fill out a registration form and tryout. All players trying out are placed on a team.

Players returning to their same team do not need to register or tryout. Registration Forms are available at the main offices of all Nashua public and private schools, Nashua Public Library, City Clerks Office at City Hall, Jeannottes and Bright Spot Convenience Stores, and the Recreation Department at Greeley Park. Forms can be downloaded from the Parks & Recreation web-site at www.gonashua.com/CityDepartments/Parks&Recreation/Basketball.

Cost for the season is $20/player. Tryout dates for each division can be seen on the registration forms.