FOOTBALL

Merrimack

Mitey Mite: Bedford bests
Cards in defensive struggle

The Merrimack Cardinals and Bedford Bulldogs squared off in a defensive battle.

The first half was highlighted by both teams driving the ball into opponent’s territory only to watch the opposition’s defense stiffen and create turnovers. A scoreless tie after one half carried over into the second half for Merrimack with great performances by nose guard John Rowe (four tackles, fumble recovery), defensive ends Zander Guay and Ryder Morse and outside linebacker Kyle Crampton. They all kept Bedford’s prolific running game at bay. Bedford’s longest run of the day came on the quarterback sneak that resulted in the only points scored.

Merrimack’s offense was highlighted by Brett Michalewicz, Noah Kelton and Jake Trahan opening holes that enabled running backs to get into Bedford’s secondary without being touched. On the Cardinals’ last possession they drove down the field running reverses. The first resulted in a 20-yard gain by Jacob Schiltz that ignited the offense and the crowd. The big gain came from Cody Keefe taking another reverse 35 yards to the Bedford 4 as time expired.

Nashua Elks/PAL

6th Grade: Elks Crusaders 33, HB Jr. Cavaliers 6

The Nashua Elks Crusaders’ offense continues to utilize numerous weapons, as four different players scored touchdowns in a 33-6 victory over the Hollis Brookline Junior Cavaliers.

Brendon Frost scored the first touchdown of the day on a first-quarter run. The second TD was scored by Jake Robbins, who hauled in a pass from quarterback Andrew Penkala. The third touchdown was a quarterback sneak by Penkala. The fourth score was delivered following another big run from Frost, as Casey McNally capped ripped off a long run of hisown with only a minute remaining in the game. Also contributing points were Robbins, with an extra point run and Josh McElligott with a two-point kick. Similar to the previous weeks, the Crusaders received tremendous blocking from Brandon Martin, Braden McDonnell, Jaylan Pacheco, Zach O’Neil, Quincy Cotto, Jeffrey Allen and Alex Fortier.

On defense, Nashua (4-0) received a tremendous game from Pacheco who recorded eight tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Also grabbing interceptions were Gabe Perrault and Frost. In addition to the forced turnovers, the Elks also received tackles from Nathanael Tejeda, Justin Arnesen, Cole Desmond, Mark Lagasse and Jacob Babb

6th Grade: Salem Rams 6,
PAL Force 0

The Nashua PAL defense held Salem’s offense in check most fo the game with big tackles by Kevin Maldonado, Nevan Roy and Garrett Hillard. James Mackenzie also had a fumble recovery in the first quarter that seemed to keep the team motivated into the second quarter.

Nashua PAL had short gains on the offense by Gillespie, Mackenzie, Justin Cardullo and Maldonado. The defense then managed to stop Salem from gaining yards with tackles from Nevan Roy and James Mackenzie. J.J. Fiore then put the ball to the sky to Austin Oulette, who ran it down getting PAL Force to Salem’s 1-yard line. Nashua was just not able to get the ball into the end zone and turned the ball over on downs.

Third quarter offensive gains were made by Gillespie, Oulette and Fiore, who also had two complete passes to Cardullo. The defense was able to hold Salem from gaining momentum with even more tackles by Mackenzie and Nate Nugent. This battle would continue in the 4th quarter with the defensive line keeping Salem at bay with Harley Ciardi taking control of Salem’s offensive line and holding them back. On PAL’s offense Nick Scalera kept pushing the line open for the offensive runners to gain ground and momentum to get better field position. Salem broke through Nashua’s defense and ran down the field into the end zone for a touchdown. In the final minutes, Fiore and Andre LaPlante had two short runs and brought the game to a close.

4th Grade: Elks Crusaders 33, NorRock Vikings 0

The Crusaders improved to 3-1 with a 33-0 win Sunday over the NorRock Vikings at Stellos Stadium. The Crusaders’ offense was led by Curtis Harris, who found three different ways to score in the first half with a rushing, receiving (from QB John Sullivan) and interception return for touchdowns. Liam Bourque was also a big offensive contributor with a rushing TD while also returning an interception for a score as well. The defense was led by Alex Ortiz, who came up with a fumble recovery in the first quarter, Chris Keefe, Austin Chouinard, Tyler Armeen, Harris and Bourque. Other contributing defensive players were Nick Gosselin, Michael Rutstein and Jason Compoh. Tyree Durham showed off some great defensive moves with a nice tackle in the second half.

Flag: PAL Force White 5,
Elks Crusaders 1

Nashua PAL Force White took on the mighty Nashua Elks Crusaders on the gridiron, with Jayden Allen racing to the end zone to score the first touchdown of the game. Derek Finlay scored a touchdown to start off the Force’s second series. John Barry scored a touchdown running the reverse. Kassy Allen showed her QB skills leading the next charge with Ryan Forcier reaching the end zone as a result. The defensive efforts of Reid Lavoie and Jack Krulikowski helped hold the Crusaders to a single touchdown. Nick Digesse scored a touchdown to end the game.

Flag: PAL Force Blue 3,
Elks Crusaders Blue 2

The game started out with the PAL Force scoring right away on a pass from Brady Sullivan to Jack Peters in traffic resulting in a touchdown. Peters also scored on the next PAL Force Blue drive. Luke Peters scored a touchdown in overtime after getting field position from strong runs by Brady Borromeo. Xander Delaney put in a great effort at center to keep his QB safe. Huge defensive efforts by Jayce Cora, Johnny Canaway and Damon Clark, pulling his first flag, held the Crusaders Blue to two touchdowns.

3rd Grade: PAL Force 19,
Windham Wolverines 13

The Force offense opened the game with a lightening quick drive off a Jacob Moore-to-Patrick Keegan-to-Isaac Smith touchdown sweep behind the blocking of Ethan Paquin, Brian Melendez, Christian Mosteiro and Bryson Borromeo. The shutdown defense of Zaeden Crocker, Matt Oliver and Xavier Francis stymied the Windham offense the entire first half. On Nashua’s second and third possessions the tandem running of Dylan Homsy and Andy Barry led to two more touchdowns with Jessy Allen, Ariyan Cora, Charley Mewkill and Devyn Lavoie pushing the Wolverines back. Back on defense the end play of Bobby Canaway and Charlie Bellavance kept the outside lanes shut where Drew Sheehan, David Simpson, Dylan McDermott and Riley Bean feasted on Windham’s backs often.

5th Grade: Windham 33,
PAL Force 0

Game captains for Nashua PAL Force this week were Aiden Bashor, Sam McElliott, Adam Little and Jacob Sansoucie. Robby Long completed a long pass to Gavin Belesca that almost went in for a score. Andy Deutschlander, Belesca and Long all had nice runs during the game. Matt Hallahan, Tyler Sesrochers, Bashor, Kyle Krolikowski, Little, Sansoucie and Dominick Gentry were all strong on the offensive line. Tough defense was played by Long, Neo Helin, Max Ackerman, McElliott, Donovan Labate, Chris Acevedo, Christian Ayala and Nick Tsetsakis.

7th Grade: Elks Crusaders 42, PAL Force 0

This weeks’ game captains included Johnny Michelin, R.J. Jenkis and Alex White. Offensive standouts were Johnny Michelin – throwing for 70 yards on the day – Bobby Brown – who caught four passes for a total of 40 yards – and R.J. Jenkins – who caught two passes for 25 yards. Defensively, Nashua PAL had one interception during the game.

8th Grade: PAL Force 18,
Elks Crusaders 8

The game opened with the Crusaders and Force trading touchdowns, PAL’s on a Jared Levesque run behind the blocking of Austin Rancourt, Trey Legraw, Mason Dane, Matt Esquavel and Finn Littlefield.

PAL held the line for the remainder of the half on defense led by Joey Allen, Oscar Velasquez, Treg Legraw, Dakeem Campbell and Devon Brazil and went into the half down by two. PAL opened the second half with a Max Fay TD gained by great line blocking. The Force had strong deep coverage led by Pat Barromeo, Sammy Mena, Justin Anderson and Tyler Chase. The defensive backfield was led by A.J. Vitali, who came away with an interception. Fay, Enrique Alvarez, Jose Melendez and Josh Roy held solid outside containment and had several backfield tackles. The offensive line sealed the day, marching the ball downfield for another Levesque TD ending the game.

Hollis Brookline

Varsity: Jr. Cavaliers 22, Bow 0

The Cavaliers started slow but turned up the heat by the end of the second quarter led by quarterback Michael Allanach and running backs Brian Delaney and Jack Byrne, who scored touchdowns on three of their next four drives.

The lines on both sides of the ball took over for HB. Kevin Bergeron and Evan Sutton allowed the Cavs’ running backs the room they needed to pound out 4 to 5 yards per carry. This set up Allanach for open receivers with the play-action pass. Their first touchdown came on an 8-yard run from Delaney. They used a little trickery on the second touchdown with a halfback pass from Daniel Smith to Stephen Giaconia. The last touchdown was a solid 60-yard drive topped off with a short pass from Allanach to Ryan Carr.

The defense pitched their second shutout in as many games with great individual efforts by Delaney and Alex McElvery. Ryan Swope added an interception late in the game to make sure Bow did not score.

HOCKEY

Valley League

Squirt 1: Haverhill (Mass.) AA 6, Southern NH Cavaliers 3

The Cavaliers were up early in the first period 1-0 on a goal from Jackson Gates, assisted by Paul Vachon and Cole Giersch. Haverhill quickly responded with a goal to tie it in the beginning of the second period.

The Cavs were equal to the task as Gates scored his second to tie the game at 2-2. Haverhill answered quickly for a 3-2 lead before Gates responded with his third goal to knot the score at 3-3 off a pass by Vachon. The second offensive line of Torin White, Matt Lynch and Anthony Viola moved the puck well and had several strong opportunities, but Haverhill’s defense answered the call.

The defensive pairings of Dylan LaLiberte and Thomas Kelly along with Nik Direnzo and Joshua Salzman held strong through the end of the second period. Goalie Collin McDonald made multiple high-level saves in net that kept the Cavs in the game but in the end Haverhill came out on top, putting up three goals late in the third period.

BASKETBALL

CYO

Registration for Saint John Neumann boys team is open

Registration for the Saint John Neumann Boys Basketball Teams are now in process. Boys entering the fifth and sixth grades (Mites) or seventh and eighth grades (Cadets) are eligible. For more information contact coach Brian Kennedy at 320-4467 or 889-3328.

Nashua Biddy League

Boys, girls 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.

SKIING

Snowflake Ski Club
registration open

All skiers and snowboarders can join the Snowflake Ski Club and enjoy the lowest season pass prices and student lessons offered at Crotched Mountain.

For more information contact 654-5111 or email kmbh@tds.net to register or visit www.crotchedmountain.com and follow these directions. Click on the Headline “Groups and Clubs” and then follow to “Club Program” then to “Club Member Login.” Then enter the club login: Snowflake Ski Club. Then the club password: snowmember.

Go shopping and select passes and assign a guest name to each pass. Deadline for discount passes is Oct. 12.

SOFTBALL

Diamond Gems
still have openings

The New England Diamond Gems fastpitch softball organization is looking for a few elite players to round out some open positions we have on some designated teams. New England’s premiere fastpitch softball organization is look for the following: three U10 players, three U14 players, two U16 players and three U18 players. All interested players and families can contact coach Jimmy Rines at diamondgemsfastpitch@juno.com. All inquiries are held with strict confidence.

BASEBALL

Nashua Academy
scheduling tryouts

The Nashua Baseball Academy is scheduling tryouts for 2013 baseball teams. Tryouts are by appointment and will be held at the Hollis training facility at 265 Proctor Hill Rd. The NH Diamond Devils have openings for the 10U, 11U and 12U Cooperstown teams. The NH Knights have openings for the 13U and Senior Knights (ages 15-17) levels. Athletes must be able to play two different positions and have all star experience. Ages are determined on May 1, 2013. Athletes will play a spring and summer baseball schedule, train over the winter and participate in a travel tournament. The Diamond Devils play their home games in Nashua and the Knights play their home games at Academy Field in Hollis. Services include a strength and conditioning coach, video analysis for skill evaluation and improvement and team managers that are neutral without offsprings on the team – no “daddy ball.” To schedule an appointment email nashuabaseballacademy@comcast.net or call coach Loftus at 233-5587.