Nashua PAL Force Football

Grade 3: NPF 3 GOFFSTOWN 0

The NPF Grade 3 FORCE remained undefeated by making the Eagles from Goffstown scream early with an opening play TD run by Patrick Keegan, an interception return by Derek Finlay and a game-breaking run by Charlie Bellavance. The FORCE fueled up their offense with the new six-headed running attack of Reid Lavoie, Jack Peters, Nick Digesse, Bryson Borromeo, Brady Sullivan and David Simpson. Peters, Lavoie and Digesse all made visits into the endzone while Boromeo, Sullivan and Simpson shredded the Eagles defense.

Amaury Almonte, Taylor Ranga, Mekhi Gerrin, Xavier Francis and Bobby Canaway each carried the ball for the FORCE with the yards stacking up all morning long. Reagan Brunet, Toby Brown, Gavin Flynn, Jesse Corfield, Ryan Flynn and Jashiah Corfield drove the Eagle defenders off the ball and opened up big holes for the 14-player running attack. The next opponent is Manchester East.

Grade 4: NPF 24, Bedford 0

Nashua PAL Force welcomed the Bedford Jaguars to Stellos Stadium for their Week 6 clash. Both teams faced off against each other in the dog days of August in a scrimmage and both teams welcomed the challenge of their regular season tilt.

The FORCE would open the game with the ball and immediately went to the air. As the TE Riley Bean went in motion, the ball was snapped. Juan Torres would fake the hand off to Isaac Smith and would look to the outside. The offensive line of Ethan Paquin, Jesse Allen, Devyn Lavoie, Jake Moore would sell the fake beautifully. Torres would throw a high arcing pass to Riley Bean who would make the catch for the first down. The drive would stall after a turnover but the Force knew they could move the ball against a tough Jaguar Front.

The defense would show they were ready on the first possession by Bedford. The defensive line of Liam Finn, Keyshawn Bugg, Marcus King, Drew Sheehan would find their way through the Jaguar offensive line stopping some promising looking plays in the backfield. A strong tackle by Marcus King would end the possession for the Jags giving the offense another crack at the scoreboard.

They would do exactly that. Torres would hand the ball off to Isaac Smith who used the strong run blocking of Alex Forbes and Rocco Ciardi to find a crease and he was off to the races. The Jags tried to catch up by Smith was too fast for them and he scored the go ahead touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good but the Force had the lead.

The defense would once again force the Jaguars offense off the field on four straight plays. This would allow the Force offense to get back into gear. A timely pass by Juan Torres to Isaac Smith would convert for first down. After a few strong inside runs, the defense of the Jags would knock down a pass on 4th down to prevent another Force touchdown. The Jags went to work and were nearly stopped for a safety on their first play. On their second play, the Jags running back found a hole and raced up the middle of the field on what looked like to be the game tying touchdown. However, Isaac Smith never gave up on the play and chased down the running back at midfield. The tackle was a big one as the Jags were unable to move the ball more.

The entire Force defense seemed to be energized by the play. Another round of strong tackling by Connor Winslow forced second and long. The Jags would try to run off tackle but LB Matthew Oliver would read the play and hit the running back in the backfield. However instead of knocking him over, Oliver would rip the ball from the hands of the running back and would race 50 yards for huge touchdown. The Point after attempt was no good but the Force would have the lead and the momentum heading into the second half.

The second half would see the Jaguars start with the ball. Unfortunately for the Jags, the defense for Nashua was just too strong. Bedford was able to get a few first downs but would stiffen forcing the ball over on downs. Nashua would get the ball near the 45-yard line looking to get the offense moving. After a penalty and few strong inside runs, Torres would hand the ball off to Dylan Homsy on a fourth down run right up the middle. The blocking by the line was incredible and it allowed Homsy to run 55 yards for the back breaking touchdown late in the third quarter.

The Jags would try and get some momentum going in the fourth quarter and slowly started moving the ball up field. However, Dylan Homsy would once again make a huge play for the defense as he stripped a running back of the ball giving the Force excellent field position. The Force would make good use of the field position. On third down, Juan Torres would fire a pass to Zach Howard who would make a defender miss and would find the end-zone to extend the lead to 24, effectively ending the game. Next week, NPF travels to Franklin to take on the Falcons at Laconia High School.

Grade 6: Salem 39, NPF 7

Game Captains: Andrew Tate, Jacob Sansoucie, Robbie Long, Chris Acevedo. Offensive standouts: Andy Deuthschlander, Robbie Long Hunter Nadeau, and Xavier Provost all had nice runs. Matthew Bull, Kyle Krulikowski, Thomas Short, Eddie Bracetty, Devin Bracetty, Aidan Bashor, Kevin Michaud, Tyler Desroschers, Jacob Sansoucie, Amir Ranga, Andrew Tate, and Connor Lash all played well on offense. Defensive standouts: Aidan Bashor, Julian Gonzalez, Max Ackerman, Dominick Gentry, John- Luis Cruz, Joseph Hitzman, Tariq, Robbie Long, Andy Deuthschlander, Donavan Labate, Devin Bracetty, Matthew Hallahan, Hunter Nadeau, and Neo Halin all played well on defense. The team record is 2–4, next opponent Manchester East.

Nashua Elks Crusaders

NEC 47, NPF 0

The Grade 7 Elks Crusaders defeated Nashua PAL 47-0. The Elks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The Crusader ground attack was effective all afternoon and recorded six TDs. Nashua was led by Tanner Plourde, who collected three TDs and an extra point. Also running well were Jaylan Pacheco (nine carries, TD, and extra point), Andrew Penkala (TD), James Ference (two extra point runs), and Brendon Frost (TD). The Elks’ offensive line was fantastic and received tremendous blocking from Braden McDonnell, Brandon Martin, JJ Arnesen, Adam Paquette, Quincy Cotto, and Josh McElligott.

As the score reflects, the Crusader defense was active all game. Nashua received a big game from Max Stevens who hauled in an interception and returned it for a TD. Also playing great for the Elks was Zach O’Neil (three sacks), Gabe Perrault (interception), and Casey McNally (sack). The following Crusaders also had multiple tackles: Cole Desmond, Mark Lagasse, Cotto, Martin, McDonnell, Pacheco, Plourde, Penkala, Ference, and Arnesen. Also playing well on defense were Allen Godfrey, Tim Santerre, Tom Cullerton, Alex Fortier, and Paquette.

The Crusaders special teams received good performances from McElligott (kickoffs and tackle), Ference (tackle), Plourde (three tackles), and Stevens (tackle and punt).

Grade 5: NEC 47, Milford 26

On a rainy Sunday afternoon the Nashua Crusaders Grade 5 team traveled to Manchester to face Milford. Nashua came out of the gates flying high as the opening kickoff was bobbled by Milford and after Chris Keefe laid a bone-crunching hit on the receiver preventing him from recovering the ball, and Tyler Armeen swooped in for the recovery. On the very first play on offense Curtie Harris turned the corner and ran 60 yards for a quick score. Alex Ortiz would run in the extra point for a quick 7-0 Nashua lead.

Milford would drive down the field and answer with a touchdown of their own and the extra point would be no good and Nashua would hold a 7-6 lead. Nashua offense stalled and Milford took the ball back and got a 55-yard scoring run to take the lead. After the extra point Milford led 13-7.

With momentum on their side Milford defense would force a turnover deep in Crusader territory, but Nashua put up a goal line stand. Leading the way with big stops were Tyree Durham, Landon Moore, Aiden Smith ,Brandon Metivier and Stephen Cocoran.

Curtie Harris took the second-half kickoff and 60 yards for the score. On the ensuing kickoff Keefe recovered the first of his three onside kicks, setting up Nashua with the ball again in Milford territory. Harris scored his third touchdown on a 10-yard scamper and John Sullivan got the extra point for a 20-13 Nashua lead.

Milford would not go away as they would score immediately on a 60-yard run but miss the extra point. They would then force a turnover and cash that in as well giving them a 26-20 lead.

Nashua would turn to Harris again and he would deliver in a big way dashing 60 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game. Alex Ortiz would punch in the important extra point for a 27-26 lead.

On second down at midfield Brandon Metivier would strip the ball and it would be recovered by Jason Compo. Nashua would then drive down the field with Ortiz punching it in for a 5-yard touchdown. After another Keefe recovery the high powered Nashua offense would drive down again and Ortiz would again get the 2-yard touchdown. T

yree Durham would force a fumble that Kyle Gauthier would recover and Nashua would go to work again. Quarterback Nick Gosselin would hit Keefe with a Pass downfield. Keefe would also rip off a 25 yard run in the drive which would end with Tyler Armeen doing the honors this time for a 3-yard score When the dust had settled Nashua had lit up the score board for 40 second-half points and the defense had forced six total turnovers.

Flag Purple vs. Hollis Junior Cavaliers

NEC 3, HJC 1

The Nashua Elks Crusaders Flag Purple had an impressive showing against the Hollis Junior Cavaliers when in the first play of the game, NEC offense led by Colvin Levesque cut right through the center to score a touchdown. Landon Levesque ran the ball 30 yards for another touchdown. Alex Petrillo, Gus Smiley, and Maurice L’Heureux were flag-pulling machines, preventing Hollis from reaching its end zone. Smiley also had an interception, forcing a turnover.

Broden Landsteiner held the line for Camden Cummings to run the ball in the final drive, setting up an opening for L’Heureux to make the final touchdown of the game.

Flag Purple vs. Bedford Jaguars RedBedford 5, NEC 4

The Nashua Elks Crusaders Flag Purple faced a tough opponent in the Jaguars. Broden Landsteiner scored the first touchdown of the game, but it was quickly followed by two from Bedford. Maurice L’Heureux, Gus Smiley and Colvin Levesque all pulled flags, with Landon Levesque coming through with the next two touchdowns. Landsteiner scores the final TD of the game. With solid blocking from L’Heureux, Camden Cummings, and Sebastian Simoneau, NEC held strong, slowing Bedford down and allowing them only a one point win over Nashua.

hockeyCavalier Squirt Blue wins

The Cavalier Squirt Blue defeated Billerica Squirts 9-2. Both Billerica and the Cavaliers’ played tight through the first part of period one. Forwards Ryan Kelley, Thomas Cahill, Aidan Rowe, Jack Conmy and Ben Foley controlled the neutral zone on each of their shifts. Defensemen Ethan Gaffney’s back checking allowed forward Matthew D’Ortona into the play sending Andre Ducharme deep into Billerica’s zone hitting the goalie and punching in his own rebound, putting the Cavs on top 1-0. The offense continued with a neutral zone face-off win by D’Ortona, sending Ducharme in for a 2-0 lead.

The Cavaliers found themselves on a penalty kill for a roughing call. Billerica pressured low and managed to score cutting the lead in half 2-1.

Billerica continued to hem in the Cavaliers defense, but goalie Will Dodge made a momentum changing save keeping a one-goal lead. Defensemen Nate Bizier stormed through center on a breakout to score glove side putting the Cavaliers back on top by two. With less than two minutes left in the period Dodge came up big once again with a kick-out save, sending Ducharme the length of the ice for his first of two hat tricks, ending the second period 4-1.

Forward Matthew MacBean kept the offense surging with skillful puck control through the neutral zone setting up Ducharme for a 5-1 advantage. Defenseman Ryan Bizier received an assist for his solid stick work along the boards moving the puck up to Ducharme, who scored for a commanding 6-1 lead.

Gaffney scored halfway through the third with a rocket from the blue line extending the lead 7-1.

Billerica kept pressuring the Cavaliers and managed to sneak in a quick goal but the offensive power of the Cavaliers was just too much and the Cavs’ Ducharme posted two more unassisted goals.