NASHUA – It was bombs away recently at Stellos Stadium as the Nashua PAL Force 13U Football squad defeated the Salem Rams in a high scoring affair 45-33 at Stellos Stadium. 

Connor Mazzaglia was relentless on the ground and through the air with two highligh-type touchdown runs where he dazzled going side to side, cutting back and eluding tackles, dashing and diving outstretched for the pilon on one score. 

Cameron Brunet hauled in a TD pass from Mazzaglia to open scoring for the Force after a Ram touchdown on the opening kickoff. Shawn Burrus added a strong kick for the two-point conversion.

Mazzaglia also added a couple PATs and connected on several athletic and acrobatic catches by Adam Mansaray, who hauled in two long balls for first downs to keep PAL drives alive.

Mansaray also played strong defense from his safety position. 

Jordan Toribio continued his assault on opposing defenses with a 35-yard touchdown run, great blocking and proved again he is someone opposing teams have to account for very carefully. 

Josiah Spleen closed out the scoring for the home team, taking a handoff up the middle and forcing his way into the end zone. On defense, Spleen did good job setting the edge to keep the speedy Salem backs from finding success on the edge. 

Also for PAL, Bishop Kearns slid back over to center, with the return of Sebastian Simoneau and anchored a stout and tough offensive line to include David Lago, Trevor Drouin, Nick Acevedo, Jayden MacInnis, Paul O’Brien, Aivan Garcia and Logan Coleman. Garcia showing flexibility centering and playing other spots on the offensive line. 

Other notable contributions were made by Tyler Venezia, who stopped several Ram runners in their tracks and forced by Nashua’s Armari Mills. Mills caused two fumbles on the day, the other being covered up by Trevor Drouin. 

Nick Acevedo also played well on defense as a disruptive presence. David Lago had several tackles for losses in the fourth quarter, including being part of one along with Kearns, ago and Toribio that brought the Nashua crowd to its feet, forcing a fourth and long.

Ben Michels, Vinnie Valenta and Cody Rochette continued to play pivotal roles for the Force in all three phases of the game.

Rochette set the edge on defense, with Michels and Valenta blocking and contributing on defense with key stunts and being part of the gang tackling style of the Nashua team. 

Diones Delacruz patrolled the secondary with authority, made several key pass breakups and make several tackles. Tyson Hoang starred in his cornerback spot and sent several well-placed strategic kickoffs to keep the Salem return team off balance after the TD. 

Nashua and Salem are slated to face off again in Manchester in a rematch in the state semifinals.

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