Alan Greenwood

The legend of old-school football coaches includes curl-lipped snarling at anyone who has the audacity to suggest that weather has no bearing on the play, let alone performance, of his gridders. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night will force football players off the field.

Since wind-chill factors do not appear in that dogma, legendary Nashua High coach Buzz Harvey suspended his image as a card-carrying butt kicker.

OCT. 1, 1947 – “Sweeping cover the confines of the stadium yesterday forced Buzz Harvey and Company to cut short their practice session as the coaching staff decided not to risk possible injury to nearly frozen limbs.

“Previously workouts have continued until dark in order to get in plenty of work in the best of weather, but last night the squad members had showered and were on their way home by 5 p.m., slightly warmed after brisk showers.

“… The junior high squad, coached by Wilfred Michaud, was brought over for a short scrimmage with the Purple varsity second stringers.”

OCT. 2, 1962 – “Sunday;s weird accident in which George Zinkus injured his arm when he fell on it after catching a pass from Greg Landry in the third period has left Nashua High without a front-line full back.

“Doctors say Zinkus suffered a dislocation and pulled a tendon in his left arm and will be out of uniform for three or four weeks. It was a severe blow for the Nashuans, who otherwise escaped the bruising Lowell game with nothing more than aches and pains.”

OCT. 3, 1972 – “In a hard-fought soccer contest the New England Aeronautical Institute Eagles copped their second straight win of the season, 2-0, over Canaan College.

“Freshman center Bill Chrissley scored all three goals for the Eagles. It was the second hat trick in as many games for the Eagle booters.”

Note: Imagine cheerleaders trying to develop a chant for that clunky moniker” “Go you New England Aeronautical Institute Eagles!”

In 1978, the NEAI changed its name to Daniel Webster College.

OCT, 4, 1977 – “Alvirne High remained undefeated in high school soccer as it downed Pelham, 4-1, in action over the weekend.

“Goals by Kevin Graves and Arthur Pare gave Alvirne a 3-0 lead before Mike McGinnis scored on a long shot for Pelham. Chris Crushis and Kevin Graves each got a goal in the final period to ensure the win. … Alvirne goalie Leo Francoeur made nine saves.”

OCT. 5, 1982 – “After a successful three-week, seven-game road trip, the Bishop Guertin High School soccer team returned home in style Monday.The Cardinals whipped Salem, 3-0, at Elliott Field.

“John Letendre put the 6-2-2 Cards on the scoreboard off a Scott White assist. … John Jaworski punched his first one home in the third period, set up by Bob Boutiette, and Steve Logan closed it out in the final frame off a Letendre pass.

“The last goal was Hogan’s seventh of the season. His 13 points are tied for tops in the area.”

OCT. 6, 1987 – “Every move Hollis High School field hockey coach Vicky Parady Guay has made lately seems to work. After beating Mascenic, 1-0, last week Parady-Guay moved several players to different positions for a makeup game played by the same teams Monday. The result was a 6-0 victory.

“Cheryl Toth had three goals for the winners, including the game-winner seven minutes into the match. Jen Wild had a pair of goals and Kim Homoleski scored the other for the Cavaliers, who are 6-3-1.”

OCT. 7, 2012 – “The Alvirne High School girls soccer team raced out to a 3-0 halftime lead then hung on for a 3-2 win over Portsmouth.

“Loula Kariotis, Maria Martinek and Karen Biagini scored for the Broncos, who rose to 2-6 in Class L. Kerry MacIntosh and Andrea Heyl added assists.”

Contact Alan Greenwood at agreenwood@nashatelegraph.com or 594-1245