FOOTBALL

Nashua Elks

Flag: Crusaders Blue 4,
Derry Demons 3

The Nashua Elks Crusaders Blue succeeded in shutting down the Derry Demons while getting its own offense going, led by Bailey Landsteiner’s two touchdowns and solo scores from Anthony Tappan and Zachary Proulx.

Defensively, Travis Spencer, Proulx and Landsteiner pushed through the Demon’s tight offense to pull flag after flag. The line was held strong by Jevon Anson, Severen Johnson, Bradie Paladino and Moe L’Heureux.

Offensively, Aaralyn Lopez and Broden Landsteiner showed some impressive skills with their running game, making some strong gains. Blue finished strong and held their lead, capping it off by pulling a final flag from the Demons’, resulting in a loss of yards before ending the game.

4th Grade: Crusaders 32,
Concord Capitals 0

The Nashua Crusaders 4th Graders played their first home game of the season against the Concord Capitals and cruised to a 32-0 win behind a great defensive line of Alex Ortiz, Jason Compoh and Ben Wiehl.

The trio forced and recovered four fumbles, which led to touchdowns by Tyler Armeen (two) and John Sullivan. Nick Gosselin, Brandon Metivier, Chris Keefe, Jason Carter and Kyle Gauthier also played a big role on defense by not allowing Concord to record a first down for most of the game.

The offense found a diamond in the rough in Liam Bourque after he scored his first career touchdown by bouncing off of would be tacklers on his way to an impressive 45-yard touchdown run.

6th Grade:
Crusaders 25, Keene 6

The Crusaders improved to 2-0 on the young season and avenged a 2011 loss by beating Keene 25-6. The win was a complete team victory, with the defense once again coming up big, and the offense spreading the wealth, with three separate players scoring touchdowns.

Nashua jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter with a touchdown run and extra point from Jaylan Pacheco. Nashua scored again in the second quarter on a pass from quarterback Andrew Penkala to Jake Robbins for a 13-6 halftime lead.

In the second half, Brendon Frost scored on a nice run and brought the score to 19-6. The Nashua offense completed its day with another touchdown completion from Penkala to Robbins. The Crusaders offense also received strong outings from Casey McNally (pass reception) and Gabe Perrault and solid blocking from Brandon Martin, Justin Arnesen, Jeffrey Allen, Alex Fortier and Quincy Cotto.

The Nashua defense continues to play extremely well this season. Tanner Plourde led the defense with eight tackles and a sack. Also recording multiple stops were Braden McDonnell (fumble recovery), Cole Desmond, McNally, Pacheco, Robbins, Penkala (fumble recovery) and Frost. The Crusaders pestered the Keene offense all afternoon, and received solid performances from Josh McElligott, Zach O’Neil, Jacob Babb, Nathanael Tejeda, Mark Lagasse and Perrault.

The third phase of the game, special teams, continues to be a strength for Nashua. McElligott remains an integral part with his strong leg on kickoffs and punts. Penkala and Frost had solid returns, while McNally, Frost, Martin and McDonnell each recorded tackles.

Merrimack

Mitey Mite: Cardinals 0,
Hooksett Hurricanes 0

The game opened with Jacob Schiltz receiving the ball. Cody Keefe followed with a long run and numerous stellar plays. Quarterback Caden Dudash was rushing and throwing the ball well. Reimello Hyde also had a solid game. The first half ended with a last-minute interception by Matthew Todd.

Tyler Moran and John Brennan made several key defensive plays. Hooksett set up several quarterback sneaks right on top of the end zone that failed every time due to a notable take down by Todd on one play and Jeffrey Burke sacking the quarterback on another.

Nashua PAL

Flag: Bedford Green 2,
Force White 1

John Barry got the game started with a strong offensive opening, running for 40 yards in the first drive. Nick Digesse ran the ball the rest of the way to the end zone for the first and only Nashua PAL Force White touchdown. Strong runs by Jayden Allen and Ryan Forcier kept the pressure on the Jaguars as did the blocking of Jack Krulikowski. Reid Lavoie and Kassy Allen led the defensive efforts, preventing the Jaguars from scoring the in first half and holding them to only two TDs the whole game.

Flag: Force Blue 3,
Bedford Yellow 1

Nashua PAL Force Blue was able to hold the Jaguars to one touchdown behind the defense formed by Jayce Cora, Jack Peters and Johnny Canaway, including a four down goal line stand that prevented Bedford from scoring at the end of the first half. Impressive ball carrying by Damon Clark and Brady Borromeo kept the Force in the game. Luke Peters scored his first touch down, driving the ball across the goal line in the last seconds of the game, with his brother Jack Peters scoring the other two touchdowns – both on fourth downs. Brady Sullivan completed two passes, aided by solid blocking by Xander Delaney.

3rd Grade: Force 33,
Manchester West 6

The NPF 3rd Grade team traveled to Manchester West to take on the Raiders and came away with an impressive 33-6 victory. Charley Mewkill, David Simpson, Aidan Watson, Drew Sheehan and Dylan McDermott drove the Raiders off the ball from the first to the last whistle. The offensive arsenal was second to none with TDs and extra points being scored by Jessy Allen, Xavier Francis, Matt Oliver, Charlie Bellavance, Bobby Canaway, Andy Barry and Isaac Smith. QBs Patrick Keegan and Devyn Lavoie called the signals for the Force. Dylan Homsy, Christian Mosteiro and Brian Melendez gashed the Raiders for big runs in the second half. Defensive ends Riley Bean, Jacob Moore and Bryson Borromeo shut the edge down all day. Keeping West off the board until the final seconds were the linebacker trio of Ariyan Cora, Zaeden Crocker and Ethan Paquin.

5th Grade: Milford 31, Force 8

This week’s captains, Robby Long, Max Ackerman, Logan Mathewson and Dominic Gentry led the Force into action against Milford.

Gavin Belesca scored on a 50-yard pass from Long, who then converted the PAT on a run behind Mathewson and Andy Deutschlander. Nelo Helin made a clutch recovery of an onsides kick.

Defensively, Mathewson stuffed two PAT attempts, while Long, Deutschlander, Belesca and Donovan Labate all had nice tackles. Sam McElliott made a nice play defending a pass.

6th Grade: Force 7,
Hollis Brookline 0

In the first quarter, Nashua PAL Force’s Tyler Gagnon held back Hollis Brookline on the 12-yard line with a tackle that prevented them from gaining momentum on the drive. J.J. Fiore had a speedy drive for about 15 yards, keeping the Force headed toward the end zone.

In the second quarter, Gagnon had another confidence blinding tackle to the HB offense. Kevin Maldonado drove HB back even further with another tackle on the 3-yard line. The defense led the drive for Austin Ouellette, who took advantage of field position and ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Nate Nugent received the ball and scored for the extra point.

In the third quarter, J.J. Fiore passed to Andre Laplante just short of the first down.

In the 4th quarter, James Mackenzie recorded two sacks, holding HB from gaining any ground. Justin Cardullo and Mackenzie worked over HB’s offense even more and prevented them from gaining any further yards. Michael Gillespie then secured the game for Nashua with a late interception.

Fiore punted the ball on the fourth down twice, the first time kicking the ball 40 yards, and the second punting the ball 35 yards.

JV: Salem Rams 40, Force 20

Sky Boykin and R.J. Jenkins scored Nashua’s two offensive touchdowns, while the defense recovered two fumbles during the game. Boykin also picked off a pass and ran it back for a touchdown.

Varsity: Salem Rams 46, Force 8

Jared Levesque scored the lone Nashua PAL Force touchdown and extra point in a tough loss to the Salem Rams.

Numerous tackles were made by Alex White, Mason Dane, Trey Legraw, Jared Levesque and Damon Alexander.

Hollis Brookline

JV: Jr. Cavaliers 38,
Kearsarge Wildcats 0

The 2011 GSFL JV champion Hollis Brookline Junior Cavaliers started their title defense with a win, beating the Kearsarge Wildcats 38-0.

A strong offensive line let by Scott VanCoughnett, Clement Sherwood, Turner Goodwin and Garrett Moloney effectively held off the Wildcats defense and opened plenty of holes and provided quarterbacks Joey Delaney and Tyler Bergeson with time to execute the playbook. The team’s ground game was led by Derek Davidson (two touchdowns, 100-plus yards), Josh Farmer and Michael Atlas. The Jr. Cavs also showed solid receiving with Matt Simco scoring twice and Ryan Klausner reaching back and down for a catch and then winding through the Wildcats backfield for a 15-yard touchdown reception. One of the highlights was a reception Scott VanCoughnett, who drove down midfield, breaking several tackles for a critical first down conversion.

The defensive line proved their worth as they executed flawlessly to limit the Wildcats offense to less than 100 yards of movement and only a couple of conversions. VanCoughnett and Sherwood helped lead the defensive line, while Delaney guided the defensive backfield to help contain any movement beyond the line.

Varsity: Hartford (Vt.) 22,
Junior Cavaliers 8

The Hollis Brookline Junior Cavaliers Varsity team lost 22-8 in Vermont on Sept. 8. The game started well for HB with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Carr to Michael Allanach, but the injury bug took over.

Hartford’s size then controlled the line of scrimmage. After leading 8-0 at halftime, the Cavs lost 22-8. Defensively, Brian Delaney led the team in tackles and Allanach had an interception. There was also some real tough work done in the trenches by Kevin Bergeron and Kevin Glover.

HOCKEY

Valley League

PeeWee: Cavaliers I split
on opening weekend

In Valley League action the Cavaliers PeeWee I opened its season with one win and one loss against Massachusetts teams – beating Wakefield 5-1 and falling 5-0 to Nashoba.

In their Game 1 win over Wakefield, the Cavaliers didn’t wait to make some noise. On the first shift of the season, T.J. Vitullo opened the scoring for the Cavs. Isaac Rogers was on fire, netting a natural hat trick and made a beautiful play to set up linemate Maddy Pitre, who netted the Cavs final tally.

The forward lines of Rogers/Nic Miller/Pitre and Max Sears/Joe Roth/Vitullo moved the puck well. Defensemen Sean Kelly, Alec MacEachen and Max Porter played well shutting down Wakefield’s offense, while goalie Ben Goolsby came up with several key saves to prevent Wakefield from closing the gap.

In Game 2’s loss to Nashoba, both Cavs goalies Austin Ciszek and Goolsby played well, turning back a number of shots, while the defense did a good job moving the puck up ice. The forwards moved the puck well, but could not break through the tough Nashoba defense.

BASKETBALL

Tryouts/Signups

Nashua Biddy League
registration underway

Nashua Boys and Girls Biddy Basketball registration forms are now available online at www.gonashua.com, City Hall, all public schools, Nashua Public Library, Bright Spots, Jeannotte’s Market or the Park and Recreation Department office at Greeley Park.

All Players, whether new to the program or returning to a team, must fill out the form. There is a $20 registration fee. Your child’s age will determine which form to fill out.

Girls and Boys Junior Biddy: must be 7 by 8/1/12 and cannot be 10 until after 8/1/12 (registration deadline is Oct. 19).

Girls and Boys Biddy: must be 10 by 8/1/12 and cannot be 13 until after 8/1/12 (registration deadline is Oct. 12).

Girls Senior Biddy: must be 13 by 8/1/12 and cannot be 18 until after 8/1/12 (registration deadline is Nov. 2).

Boys Bantam: must be 13 by 8/1/12 and cannot be 16 until after 8/1/12 (registration deadline is Nov. 2).

Mail in forms and checks made out to “City of Nashua” to 100 Concord St., or drop them off. Keep the bottom half of the registration form that lists the tryout dates and times. Call 589-3370 with any questions.