The Nashua Grade 8 Crusaders notched their first win of the season with an impressive 35-0 defeat of the NorRock Vikings. The Crusader defense received big plays from Casey McNally (interception), Brendon Frost (fumble recovery), Tanner Plourde (interception), and Quincy Cotto (fumble recovery).

Nashua also received multiple tackle performances from Tommy Cullerton, Jaylan Pacheco, Andrew Penkala, Josh McElligott, Brandon Martin, Braden McDonnell, Anthony Dowd, Jacob Babb, Cole Desmond, Alex Fortier, and Justin Arnesen. Also playing well on the defensive line were Adam Paquette and Nathanael Tejeda.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Crusader line was very effective thanks to the play of Tim Santerre, Warren Curtis, Martin, McDonnell, Arnesen, and McElligott.

The Elks found the end zone five different times on runs from Plourde (50 yards), Pacheco (two TDs, McNally (20 yards), and Cullerton (7 yards). McElligott connected on two two-point kicks and Frost barreled into the end zone on an extra point attempt to cap off the scoring for the afternoon.

The Crusader’s special team unit also had an impressive afternoon. McElligott had a goo day on kickoffs and extra point attempts. Fortier, Penkala, Cullerton and McNally were active on kick coverage and recorded tackles.

Nashua Grade 7 Crusaders

Despite a 34-6 loss at Hudson, Nashua’s offensive and defensive lines continue to improve with solid play from Kyle Oconner, Kalique Jones, Adam Akel, Nathan Zalzal, Colin Keavey, Charlie McKelvey, Alex Swisher, Cody Cargill and Stone Foley.

The defensive backs unit of Zach Hureau, Zach Gauthier, Zach Berthiaume, Kyle Salemi, Brad Dietrich and Mark Case continue to improve as well. Offensive drives included strong running from Joe Buturla and Ryan Rutstien, while the passing game was led by Ben Levine and Colby Martel.

Next up for the Crusaders is Goffstown on Sunday at Nashua’s Stellos Stadium.

Nashua Grade 6 Crusaders

The Nashua Crusaders Sixth Grade football team extended its undefeated record to 3-0 by defeating the NorRock Vikings 34-6.

The Crusaders offense started off clicking as they scored on every early possession and the game was in hand within the first quarter.

The first touchdown was a 44 yard run by Curtie Harris. Chris Keefe threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Harris for the second score of the game.

The third score of the quarter was a Keefe TD to John Sullivan, followed by a 46 -yard scoring run by Tyler Armeen and aby a 67-yard TD by Keefe on a QB keeper.

Keefe had plenty of time in the pocket, thanks to blocking by Jaden Murphy, Aiden Smith, Cody Rocheleau, Anthony Delatorre, and Akshay Shinde. Ben Wiehl kicked two extra points to complete the Crusaders scoring for the day.. Leading the Crusaders’ defense with several tackles each were Jason Compoh, Alex Ortiz, Kyle Gauthier, Landon Moore, Tyree Durham, Brandon Serreo, Patrick Menlanson, and Alana Jergenson.

The Crusaders try to continue their unbeated streak against Keene on Sunday.

Nashua PAL force

Nashua PAL Force football teams won four of six games last weekend, but the Nashua PAL Force Grade 3 football team suffered its first loss at the hands of the Hudson Litchfield Bears, 19-7 The only touchdown was scored by John Barry with a 50-plus yard run.

The NPF Grade 4 team blanked the Derry Demons, 26-0, scoring a touchdown in each quarter. Teammates Elias Bourque and Mekhi Gerrin played well defensively.

The Grade 5 team handled Laconia 27-0, while the Grade Six squad rolled past Goffstown, 34-13. NPF’s Robby Long had TD runs of 55 and 50 yards, and also kicked an extra point. Travis Holbrook showed some aggressive blocking.

The Eighth Grade PAL team romped over the Manchester South Sabres, 40-14. In the 4th quarter Christian O’Brian had an interception.

Nashua’s other loss came 33-0 vs. Salem.

Also at the games, PAL honored the late Teri Hillard, a former board member, team mom, and coach, who died of cancer.

Hockey

Nashua Panthers Girls U12

Despite a 10-3 loss to Walpole, Sophia Hausberger put on a great goaltending display, making 35 saves for the Nashua Panthers in Middlesex Yankee Conference Girl’s Hockey game at Nashoba Olympia.

The loss drops Nashua to 1-1-0 on the season. Ultimately the Panthers were outshot 45-16.

Offensively, Brianna DeFelice led the way with a goal and two assists. Taylor Anger recorded her first goal of the season and Julie McLaughlin added her sixth goal of the season along with an assist. Victoria Cornaro and Abigail Bender each added an assist.

Walpole jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but a great goal by Taylor Anger assisted by DeFelice closed the gap to 3-1 in the first period. Walpole then responded with three more goals before DeFelice made it 6-2 assisted by Cornaro and McLaughlin. McLaughlin added the third Panthers goal late in the second period to make it 7-3 assisted by Bender and DeFelice.

Upfront Kenzley Goode and Hayley Kastner battled and defensively Paige Anger, Reilly Morris, Sophia Panagakis and Meredith Partridge all made several great plays.

Bulletin board

Immaculate Conception CYO tryouts

Tryouts for the Immaculate Conception CYO basketball and cheerleading teams begin this Tuesday, with all sessions being held at Nashua Catholic. The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7-8:30 p.m. – Girls Mites (grades five and six), and Girls Cadets (grades seven-eight); Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7-8:30 p.m., Boys Mites (fifth and sixth grade); 8:30-10 p.m. – Boys Seniors (Grades 9-12); Friday, Sept. 26, 7-8:30, Junior Mites (grades three and four); 7-8:30, Cheerleading; 8:30-10, Boys Cadets (grades seven, eight).

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7-8:30, Girls Mites, Girls Cadets; Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7-8:30, Boys Mites; 8:30-10, Boys Seniors; Friday, Oct. 3, 7-8:30, Junior Mites; 7-8:30, Cheerleading; 8:30-10, Boys Cadets.

Participants are required to attend at least one of the tryout sessions, preferably both.

For more information, contact Rod Martone at 888-6943 or nhmartone@comcast.net.

John Roper Pitching Lessons

The John Roper Pitching School, run by the former Major Leaguer and Nashua Pride hurler begins in November, consisting of private and semi-private pitching lessons. Pitching classes include pitchers fielding practice, pick off moves, covering bunts etc. There is a maximum of 10 students per class.

Group pitching lessons will be a maximum of six students. For more information, go to leaguelineup. com/teamgid or email jcrope1@yahoo.com.

Nashua Sports Academy Baseball Tryouts

The Nashua Sports Academy is holding a second tryout for two new AAU baseball teams that will be training in the Academy’s new state of the art facility during the off season and competing in the NEAAU Regional Baseball League in the spring and summer. The second free tryout session for the U13 & U14 AAU program will be on Wednesday Sept. 24 from 6-9 p.m. at Nashua’s North Common field (behind Holman Stadium).

For more information, visit http://nashuasportsacademy.com/u13-and-u14-baseball.php

Nighthawks Basketball Tryouts

The Nashua Nighthawks travel basketball program is holding its annual tryouts for its boys and girls teams. The tryouts will be held on Saturday October 25 at Girls, Inc. in Nashua. The cost to tryout is $20 per player (or $25 per family). Every player must attend one of the following sessions to be eligible to play.

The sessions are as follows: 8 a.m., seventh grade boys; 9:30 a.m., fourth grade boys; 10:30 a.m., fifth grade boys; 12 p.m., sixth grade boys; 1:30 p.m., eighth grade boys; 3 p.m. four and fifth grade girls; 4 p.m., sixth grade girls; 5:30 p.m., seventh grade girls; 7 p.m., eighth grade girls.

The Nashua Nighthawks travel basketball program is seeking a qualified coach for its girl’s 4/5th grade team. This highly competitive youth program competes in the Massachusetts River Valley League. The season will run from October 25 through approximately March 8.

Visit Nashuanighthawks.com, the Nighthawks Facebook page email nashuabasketball@hotmail.com.

New Hampshire Grizzlies training

The New Hampshire Grizzlies will be offering training for baseball players at their private facility in southern New Hampshire from Oct. 6 to Feb. 23.

All training will be done by managers/coaches of the NH Grizzlies EBL Teams. Each has many years of training high school/collegiate /MLB players; four are former Grizzlies. Sessions will cover skills that are age appropriate.

The times are Mondays 6-7:15 p.m.for players age 12 and under, and Mondays 7:30-8:45 p.m. for players 13 and above. The cost is $100 per month. Pre-registration with payment for each month will be required.

Participants will be limited in order for the instructors to give personalized attention. For more information or to register, contact the Grizzlies at teamnhbaseball@comcast.net.

Team NH openings

Team NH Baseball/NH Grizzlies, established in 1996, are looking for a few talented players to round off the U13s and U14s teams. Players will take part in local off season practices at the program’s private facility.

Players must be willing to travel to out-of-state tournaments. More information is available at teamnhbaseball@comcast.net.

NH Hammerheads Softball club seeks players

The NH Hammerheads Softball Club, a competitive travel softball program in the Manchester area, is looking for a few 16U players to fill their 2014-2015 roster. If interested ,please contact Andrea to schedule a individual tryout at nhhammerheads@yahoo.comor 603-860-6872.

UNH women’s lacrosse clinics, tourney set

The University of New Hampshire women’s lacrosse program will host an Oct. 4 clinic as well the UNH Women’s Lacrosse Fall Classic Tournament on Oct. 5.

The clinic Saturday (3-5:30 p.m.) is open to girls in grades 9-12 and will be held at UNH’s Bremner Field; the cost is $75.

The UNH Women’s Lacrosse Fall Classic tourney on Oct. 5 is a 7-on-7 format with varsity and JV/U15 (high school only) and U13 divisions.

Check in begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by a clinic from 9:30-10 a.m., and the tourney starts at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.

The cost is $50 per individual or $400 per team. Registration for this event closes Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. Online registration for both events is available online at events.unh.edu. More information is available by contacting Erin Rigby at 62-4731.

UNH Gymnastics Kids program Oct. 11

The University of New Hampshire gymnastics program announces Kids’ Night Out on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 6-10 p.m. at the UNH Field House. Children age 3 to eighth grade are invited for a night of gymnastics, games and pizza under the supervision of the UNH gymnastics team.

Kids’ Night Out, which is a fundraiser for the UNH gymnastics program, costs $25 per child and $20 for additional children from the same family. To register for the event, visit unhwildcats.com.

Cash and checks will be accepted at the door.

For more information contact UNH gymnastics assistant coach Ali Carr at alison.carr@unh.edu.