Courtesy photoThe Pennichuck Middle School Boys Soccer Team has been undefeated for three years,covering 31games. They played Milford for the Tri-Country Championship Division II title and tied, making them Co-Champions this season. Coach: Robert Ollivierra. Assistant Coach: Joel DeLeon. Field Managers; Tommy Dratch and Damien Puth. Team: Evan Zelanes, Nico Bottari, Benjamin Husson, Connor McInerney, Mason Dandeneau, Amani Santos, Julian Gutierrez Cabanzo, Fernando Pages Naranjo, Anthony Ciraso, Thomas White, Jack White, Kayden Normand, Raul Aguilar, Bodie Hoaglund, Dawson Bolton, Jared Gauthier, Richard Hansen, Evan Grenier, Thomas Dratch and Damien Puth.

It was mission accomplished for coach Tom Flynn and the 12U Nashua PAL Force Football squad last weekend as it blanked the tough and talented Londonderry Wildcats 35-0 at Stellos Stadium for the state title.

The 12U Force continues on to regional play this current weekend in Grafton, Mass.

Meanwhile, the Nashua 13U PAL Force team fell to Manchester South in the title game.

The Force 12U offense, under the tutelage of coach Larry Torre, was relentless, led by Jordan Toribio with two touchdowns. Connor Page added one TD on offense and a second on special teams with a 60-yard kickoff return on an onside kickoff attempt.

Josiah Spleen barreled into the end zone to put the Force up by three scores early. Spleen followed a block by Kayden Geddes who engaged a much larger defender and moved him out of the play. Josiah also had contributions as a bruising blocking back for his Force teammates.

Tayten Metallic displayed a shifty, slashing style, bouncing off tackle attempts while racking up major yards on the ground and running in a PAT on an errant snap from center.

Tyson Hoang added yet another dynamic to the Force offensive attack with several big running gains.

Quarterback Dharyus Sisay continues to show maturity leading the Nashua offense. On the first Force score, Sisay took the snap, rolled right, shook off a couple potential tacklers and fired an absolute strike to Jordan Tiberio. Tiberio broke from his route, and came back to the ball and Sisay found him for a touchdown that set the tone for the afternoon.

Adamze Mansaray also brought another element to the quarterback spot later in the game.

The PAL Force offensive line led by coach Alton Jones and coach Terry O’Brien stayed strong all day, led by Nick Acevedo, Kelvin Sanchez, Sebastian Simoneau, Vincenzo Valenta, Paul O’Brien, Levi Mitchell, Ashton Carrion, Jayden MacInnis, Trevor Drouin, Diones Delacruz, Shawn Burrus and Logan Wheeler.

Nashua got sideline support from championship game captain Bishop Kearns, who battled injuries throughout the year and was unable to suit up for games. Bishop served as an important part of the game day sideline staff, serving as a mentor to his peers.

The Force Defense was on point all day, led by linebackers Toribio, Sisay, Page and ends Spleen, Shawn Burress and Ashton Carrion.

Up front, the defensive line of Acevedo, Sanchez, Simoneau, Wheeler and the rest of the linemen and stifled the Londonderry running attack.

The defensive secondary received some additional instruction this week from PAL Force President Tyler Poulin, and it showed.

The cornerbacks shut down a very capable Londonderry passing attack Tayten Metallic, Diones Delacruz, Tyson Hoang, Page, Sisay and Toribio played well.

Special teams were solid for the Force. Connor Page added a 35-yard field goal in the second half on a crisp snap from center Acevedo and a strong hold by Metallic.

BASKETBALL

ELKS HOOP SHOOT DEC. 4

The Nashua Lodge of Elks Youth Activity Committee will be holding the 50th Annual 2021 Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Free Throw competition on Saturday morning, December 4 in the Elm Street Middle School’s Chestnut Street Gymnasium,

The event begins promptly at 8 a.m., and there is no charge to compete.

The competition is open to all interested area boys and girls between the ages of 8 and l3. A youth’s age on April l, 2022, establishes the age category. Six age division winners will be chosen with trophies going to the top three finishers in each age group.

Contestants shoot 25 free throws for score and must wear sneakers or tennis shoes to compete. T-shirts, shorts or basketball uniforms are preferred but optional.

Nashua has produced free throw champions over the past 44 years, with 11 going all the way to the Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Free Throw Finals: Steve Piwowarski, Missy Ayotte, Debra Killmon, Ellen Tipping, Ryan Robinson, Ryan Sullivan, Michael Panagoulias, Caleb Donnelly, Max Coleman, Tom O’Hearn of Hudson and Tilak Patel of

Nashua.

Hudson’s Donnelly was the first Greater Nashua Elks Hoop Shoot Champion to win the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Championship in 2006 in Springfield, Mass.

His winning score was 23 out of 25 free throws.

Donnelly’s name is now inscribed in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

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