Alan Greenwood

A quaint tale from long ago reminds us that Friday night lights have not always shined so brightly on high school football games.

Note: For those who may not realize, the reference in the second paragraph below was a nod to legendary Nashua High School football coach Buzz Harvey.

Sept. 24, 1941: “High school authorities are going to gamble with lights again Friday night and have booked the Dover contest for Holman Stadium at 8 p.m.

“The Harvey-men will be shooting for their third straight win of the campaign and the conflict will be the first major test for the team.

“… Twin generators and additional floodlights will be set up at the field and the lighting plant will be tested Thursday night to see that it is operating properly. School officials are taking no chances in having to call off the game as they did last week.”

SEPT. 25, 1961: “A brilliant piece of relief pitching by southpaw Ed Cooke of Hudson gave the Milford Orioles their second consecutive Tri-Mountain League title yesterday as they stopped Goffstown 11-6.

“Billy Hill of Nashua was the starting pitcher and hurled three innings until Cooke came in and went on to limit Goffstown to two hits and fanned 13. Not only that but Cooke aided his own cause by hitting a home run. Also hitting homers were Rollie Hardwick, Ray Thiel and Jim McGettigan.”

SEPT. 26, 1981: “For three quarters Nashua High football coach Ken Parady said he was ‘very concerned.’ And he had reason to be. … The best the defending Division I champs could manage was one measly touchdown, that coming from Craig Peters from 7 yards out after a West fumble gave NHS the ball at the Blue Knights 17.

“… As the fourth quarter opened, Peters ran for 18 of his 120 yards, picking up his second touchdown, and Sergio Hebra scooted in from 10 for his first as NHS went on to its win its first game of the season, 20-6.”

SEPT. 27, 1991: “Fred Amundson scored twice in a 25-second span early in the second half and the Hollis boys soccer team went on to dump Conant, 6-0. David Beach added a goal and an assist for the Cavs, who improved to 8-1 in Class M.

“… Jeff Moreau (two saves) and Mike O’Connell (two saves) split the goalkeeping chores for Hollis.”

SEPT. 28, 2001: “Katy Flynn scored twice for Timberlane in the first half putting the Nashua High School girls soccer team in a two-goal deficit going into the second half.

“According to coach, Manfred Beyer, Nashua kept its composure in what was a ‘very physical, chippy game’ and salvaged a 2-2 tie after Michelle Harmon and Danielle Matte each scored for the Panthers. Ashley Tamposi and Jessica Zajac had assists.”

SEPT. 29, 2006: “Mark Harrington of Nashua North shot a 35 to earn medalist honors, and Londonderry finished second at a four-team meet at Windham Country Club on Thursday. Concord won the four-team meet with a 194 and Trinity was fourth (226).

“The Titans finished third at the meet (210), and Torin Soares was the next low scorer for the team with a 40. Craig Pelletier shot a 43.”

SEPT. 30, 2011: “Merrimack knocked off another unbeaten team as the Tomahawks posted a 2-0 win over Bishop Guertin (9-1) on Friday in Nashua. Merrimack, which beat then undefeated Concord two weeks ago, improved to 8-1-1 with the win.

“The game was scoreless until the 52nd minute when Chris Ywoskus broke away and scored on an assist from Jon Fothergill. Mike Ravenelle added some insurance in the 75th minute on an assist from Greg Palm.

“Jon Mayo made six saves in net for Merrimack, while Bishop Guertin’s Matt Reynolds made seven saves.”

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