Nashua Elks

4th grade: Crusaders open
with win over Londonderry

The Nashua Crusaders and Londonderry Wildcats opened the season in nail-biting fashion. Defense was the deciding factor as the game was scoreless until just under a minute in the fourth quarter when veteran player Curtis Harris ran for a 90-yard touchdown to secure the win for the Crusaders.

The Crusaders’ offense was led by John Sullivan, Jason Compoh and Curtis Harris. The Nashua defense was led by Harris, Compoh and Alex Ortiz. Tyler Armeen also had a great tackle in the fourth to hold the Wildcats from a first down, which ultimately gave the ball back to the Crusaders for the win.

Other key defensive players were Kyle Gauthier, Brandon Metivier, Ben Wiehl, Chris Keefe, Tyree Durham, Nick Gosselin, Sullivan, Colby Spencer, Michael Rutstein and Caleb Humber.

6th grade:
Crusaders 35, Londonderry 0

The sixth Grade Nashua Crusaders opened the 2012 season in impressive fashion, shutting out Londonderry, 35-0.

Nashua’s offense was paced by a solid running game. The Crusaders received tremendous efforts on the ground from Jaylan Pachecho (four touchdowns and PAT) and Brendon Frost (touchdown), as well as solid runs by Casey McNally and Jake Robbins. Nashua also displayed a solid passing game, as quarterback Andrew Penkala connected with Robbins on a 40-yard pass.

Up front, the Crusaders’ offensive line received great blocking from Brandon Martin, Tanner Plourde, Josh McElligott, Braden McDonnell, Justin Arnesen, Quincy Cotto, Alex Fortier, Zach O’Neil and Jeffrey Allen.

As the score indicates, the Crusaders’ defense was extremely aggressive, swarming Londonderry’s offense all afternoon.

Nashua received multiple tackles from Plourde, Pachecho, Robbins, McDonnell and McNally. Also coming up with big plays on defense were Penkala (sack, fumble recovery) and Cole Desmond (sack).

Nashua’s defense also received solid outings and tackles from Gabe Perrault, Mark Lagasse, Jacob Babb and Nathanael Tejeda.

The Crusaders’ special teams units also had big days. McElligott displayed a powerful leg on kickoffs and punts, and also nailed two extra-point attempts. Frost, Plourde, and McElligott recorded tackles.

Hollis Brookline

Junior Cavaliers 5th/6th
graders drop opener

The inaugural 5th/6th grade Hollis Brookline Jr. Cavaliers team came up short in its first game played, falling 12-0 to the Windham Wolverines.

The newly minted team, coached by former Amherst Patriots coach Marc Moscatelli had a strong showing against the veteran Wolverines.

Nashua PAL

Flag: Force Blue vs.
Derry Demons Black

Nashua PAL Force Blue secured its first win during the first game of the season, beating the Derry Demons 4-1.

on the first play of the game, returning Force player Jayce Cora made a tackle for a huge Derry loss. Derry then scored its only touchdown but Force Blue answered with a 25-yard touchdown by Jack Peters – one of three on the day In a display of Force Blue’s offensive variety.

Brady Sullivan threw a bullet pass for a touchdown and scored his own on a QB keeper. Strong hits from Brady Borromeo and Alexander Delaney gave the Force Blue offense time to develop and down field blocks from Luke Peters and Damon Clark paved the way to end zone glory.

Johnny Canaway settled into the nose guard position and spent considerable time menacing Derry’s backfield.

Flag: Force White vs.
Derry Demons Red

Nashua PAL Force White dominated the field for a win in the first game of the season, beating the Derry Demons Red 3-1.

Nick Degesse exploded out of the backfield to score the first touchdown. Degesse would go on to score one more before the game was done. Third-year veteran Reid Lavoie led the Force White defense with multiple tackles against Derry. Derek Finlay scored a touchdown, and played exceptional defense. Kassy Allen’s aggressive blocking, paved the way for her teammates to score another touchdown. Ryan Forcier, Jack Krulikowski and Jayden Allen were a defensive force, holding Derry to a single touchdown.

3rd Grade: Blue, Yellow
scrimmage each other

Yellow’s Charley Mewkill kicked off, pinning the Blue squad deep. Patrick Keegan broke the huddle and handed the ball to Charlie Bellavance, who gashed the Yellow defense behind gaping holes opened by Jacob Moore and Brian Melendez.

David Simpson and Aidan Watson slowed the Blue offense by notching tackles for loses. Blue did have big runs from Bobby Canaway and Zaeden Crocker behind pancake blocks from Xavier Francis and Ariyan Cora-Salas.

The Yellow Dawg offense was led by Andy Barry and Isaac Smith behind devastating blocking by Devyn Lavoie and Christian Mosterio.

Jessy Allen went under center for Blue with Bryson Borromeo carrying the load. The Yellow Dawg unit also played stingy defense behind Riley Bean and Dylan Homsy, while their offensive backfield had long runs by Matt Oliver and Zach Howard. Capping off the day were spine-tingling tackles by Drew Sheehan and Ethan Paquin.

5th Grade: Goffstown 25, Force 0

The nine fourth graders and nine fifth graders on the Nashua PAL Division II fifth grade team suffered a tough loss to Goffstown, a strong Division I opponent comprised of all fifth graders. Nashua PAL running offense game was led by Robby Long, Logan Mathewson, Andy Deutschlander and Gavin Belesca – all having nice runs. In addition, Chris Acevedo, Christian Ayala, Jacob Sansoucie, Neo Helin, Adam Little, Matt Hallahan, Dominic Gentry and Kyle Krolikowski all played well on offense. With a combination of turn overs and big plays by Goffstown, the second half really went in favor of the opponent. Nashua PAL Defenders that stood out this week included Aiden Bashor, Max Ackerman, Sam McElliott, Nick Tsetsakis, Adam Deutschlander, Gavin Belesca and Robby Long.

6th Grade: Force 26,
Derry Demons 0

In Week 1 at Stellos Stadium, Nashua took control and had a series of fantastic offensive and defensive plays. Touchdowns for Nashua were scored by Austin Ouellette, J.J. Fiore, James Mackenzie and Andre Laplante.

JV: Milford 32, Force 20

Randall Jenkins rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough for the Nashua PAL Force in a 32-20 loss to the Milford Mustangs.

Johnny Michelin and Matt Levitt also connected for a touchdown in defeat. Alex Mallor had several rushes behind solid blocking by Alex White and Timothy Rose.

Varsity: Milford 22, Force 0

Oscar Velasquez, A.J. Vitali and Mason Dane had tackles in the backfield. Trey LeGraw, Finn Littlefield, Joey Allen, Matt Esquivel and Austin Rancourt held the line on pass plays from Jared Levesque to Josh Roy and Levi Gosselin. Tyler Chase helped break up a few Milford passes.