Nashua South's Sammy Hadouche kisses the Division I title plaque while his teammates look on after the Panthers' 3-2 penalty kick win over Hanover just over a week ago at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The fall of 2021 was really unlike any other.

After a strange 2020 fall season with different schedules, different tournament plans (regional setup) cancelled games, etc., due to the pandemic, the 2021 local fall high school season had many memorable moments and the ups far outweighed the downs.

We continue a tradition started a few years ago by recapping one scribe’s tournament stops, of which there are always many.

So put your walking shoes on and take a long, winding tourney journey on the 2021 Fall Tourney Trail:

THURSDAY, OCT. 14

OVERLOOK GOLF CLUB, HOLLIS

The Trail starts with, well, a walk along a trail on a golf course. We’re at The Overlook, where the Division I team golf championships took place. Now, no local team was able to threaten for the title, but with a local course hosting, a photo was needed.

Problem was, where was anybody local at around 1:30? Nearing the finish. But with a shotgun start, one couldn’t just hang around the 18th green and wait for players. Only hope was to head to the 12th hole where some Nashua South and Bishop Guertin players were. Problem was, it was a country mile. Maybe two. “You might get there by the time they’re walking off the green,” one school official said.

Perseverance, friends. After getting a couple of directions from some Exeter High School players, we found our players. Of course, getting there one victory. Walking back to the clubhouse would be another. Think anyone in carts offered a ride? Nope. And they recommend carts at The Overlook for a reason – hills.

FRIDAY, OCT. 22

SOUHEGAN HIGH SCHOOL

The Souhegan Sabers quest for that elusive Division II field hockey title began vs. Kennett in the quarterfinals after a first-round bye. Saber Field was a busy place as ironically Souhegan girls soccer was finishing up its regular season against the Eagles as well. Great tourney game with the Sabers, trailing 1-0, getting two quick second-half Ella Barrett goals for an eventual 2-1 win. There was some irony here. Remember, Kennett insisted that the Sabers travel up north a year ago to play the finals rather than get a neutral site, and Kennett handed them a tough 2-0 defeat. Maybe it was revenge, but Kennett coach Cassandra Johansen said she was rooting for Souhegan the rest of the way. “I hope they do well,” she said.

Spoiler alert: Sabers fell to Portsmouth 2-1 in the semis.

TUESDAY, OCT. 26

CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL

Yours truly hadn’t seen a Campbell soccer team play this fall so it was a good opportunity to see the Cougars open up the Division III boys soccer tournament with a preliminary round game just before the latest wind/rain storm hit the area, one of those Nor’easters that seem to arrive right before Halloween. Ah, but there’s a reason the press box is one of the best inventions known to man, especially it’s right over the field, great for photos – and staying dry. In this case the Cougars blew away Inter-Lakes, 11-0, but the biggest takeaway was the throw-in ability of Cougar Ryan Latsha. It’s as good as a corner kick. “I developed it my eighth grade year,” Latsha said. “I’m a pitcher, and when you’re a pitcher you usually throw with the one arm, I use my right arm to throw and guide it with my left, like a basketball shot.”

That was one discovery. The other was the Cougar AD Josh Knight, whose hospitality on a stormy day was great, is from Saratoga, N.Y., near and dear to this Albany native’s heart. Some good upstate New York sports talk.

Latsha and the Cougars would make it all the way to the finals, but unfortunately fell to Trinity 10 days later.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27

BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL

There’s no better fitting nickname for Bedford teams than the “Bulldogs”, because a lot of their teams, including girls soccer, are tenacious, and that’s what Bedford was in a 7-0 preliminary round win in the Division I girls soccer prelims over Nashua South. The Panthers’ best days are ahead, and the Bulldogs were ready for a run to the finals. But here’s a good piece of advice for anyone heading to Bedford for a 3 p.m. game. Get there early, or, get there late. We tried the former, and end up with the latter. Why? Because the adjacent Middle School lets out its students close to that time, and the road to the school entrance is backed up with parents picking up their kids. We ditched the car at the football practice field and walked (these old legs had quite a tourney trail) up the hilly road to the school and to Bulldog Stadium. At least the always good natured Bedford girls hoop coach Kevin Gibbs got a kick out of it.

THURSDAY, OCT. 28

BISHOP GUERTIN

HIGH SCHOOL

It’s always interesting going to the Colligadome at BG in the fall, knowing that the better part of the winter could be spent there. But there we were for the Division I girls volleyball prelims with Bishop Guertin hosting Keene.

It was a busy tournament season, but this was one of the most stunning events of the last few weeks. Not that Keene pulled off the 3-1 upset, those things happen. But it was the way they did it, getting badly beaten 25-13 in the first set then winning the next two 25-20 and 28-26 to grab a 2-1 lead. But in the fateful fourth set, a 10-10 game turned into a 25-10 BG loss. Yes, 15 straight Keene points. It was the Blackbirds’ first tournament appearance – and win – in 11 years. “We really wanted to win this,” Keene’s Phoebe Rigg said. “It’s been too long.” Still, one of the memories of the Tourney Trail will be the stunned look on BG coach Kyle Clement’s face, worn for a good reason.

FRIDAY, OCT. 29

STELLOS STADIUM, NASHUA

One of the more memorable and perhaps even historic days for Nashua sports with four incredible events about 400 yards apart: Two Division I boys soccer quarterfinals at Stellos and, just down the street at Conway Arena, Rivier University’s first ever men’s and women’s ice hockey games. History.

The soccer? A tip-off to what was ahead in the boys tournament, as Nashua North got a goal in the final four minutes to edge Portsmouth, 2-1, in a game between a No. 12 seed (the Titans) and a No. 13, both having recorded upsets in the prelims. It was double duty night with Nashua ETV broadcast work, but thankfully former South boys coach Jared Babosa was stellar in his color and sometimes play-by-play debut. He had to be, because right after the 3 p.m. North game was done, the legs were churning again, walking down to Conway for Riv women’s hockey. Not much of a competitive contest, with the Raiders being blanked by Castleton, but eventful nonetheless. Too bad we couldn’t stay for the barbecue outside in between games, because it was time to hustle back to Stellos with Nashua South’s epic quarterfinal with Exeter underway.

What a contest, the Panthers’ Nick Esp scoring the game-winner with seven seconds left in double overtime, 3-2. South’s season was saved by a diving stop by freshman defender Leonel Lopez, helping out his fallen keeper, Leo Kopicko. Amazing. The play of the post season. “I was super scared,” Lopez admitted.

Even more amazing? These wins set up a Norh-South semifinal in three nights. “Everybody wants it,” said North’s Artuhur Santos, who scored the Titans’ game-winner.

Tough to go from that epic contest and walk back to Conway Arena, but that was almost as incredible as we caught the third period of the Raiders stunning 5-4 win over Southern New Hampshire University before what had to be the biggest crowd Conway has perhaps ever seen. Late in the game, yours truly’s cell phone – the lifeblood now of any reporter, used to record interviews, get results via text, twitter, etc., was very dark. Why? Battery? It took about a half hour to figure out the brightness had somehow been turned down, don’t ask how. Technology is a friend. Maybe.

Sometimes the Tourney Trail leads you in interesting directions.

SATURDAY, OCT. 30

HOLLIS BROOKLINE

HIGH SCHOOL

It was a two-event day but only one was a postseason affair. After watching Bishop Guertin football get a late soggy win at Windham, the next stop would be a much dryer affair – indoors. The Hollis Brookline girls volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 win over Concord. Great to see HB assistant coach Jake Balfour, husband of Cavs head coach Becky, as he had a health scare in the late spring and looked fabulous, helpful as always with the post-game stats.

A pretty nondescript HB win, but at least we could drive to this one. And see the phone screen.

SUNDAY, OCT. 31

STELLOS STADIUM

No drama this time at Stellos, with the Bishop Guertin girls soccer team recording a resounding 6-0 Division I quarterfinal win over Alvirne on a cloudy Halloween afternoon. It was surprising because the Broncos have been one of the Cards’ toughest opponents the last two seasons, taking BG to OT in last year’s quarters and Guertin escaping Hudson with a 1-0 win in this regular season. We’re convinced the field turf gave BG a bit of an edge, because those other two games were on the sloped grass field at Alvirne.

Meanwhile, home for the first time on a Halloween night in ages, and of course Halloween was nonexistent last year due to COVID.

A short, steady stream of kids and creative costumes, but lots of leftover candy if anyone’s interested.

MONDAY, NOV. 1

STELLOS STADIUM

An epic stop on the Trail, and probably one of the biggest events at Stellos in its history: Nashua North vs. South boys soccer in the Division I semifinals.

A line down the street to get in. Packed parking lot. Hanover and Manchester Central played the first semifinal in penalty kicks but fans had no problem getting out of Stellos; it was clear most of the people in the stands were there to see the battle for city soccer bragging rights. The city’s soccer community came out, and that was as much of the story as was South’s epic 1-0 win in the final 30 seconds on a goal by Jadiel Bomfim.

Looking across from the visiting side – that’s where the benches are for semis and finals at Stellos, and seeing more people than they’ve ever seen before for one of their games was quite a feeling for the players and coaches. “It was scary as bleep,” North coach Josh Downing said. “It was amazing. The city came out and supported soccer, and I am proud of the city for supporting us.” In a show of class, he went over to where the Panthers were gathered in their usual post game circle seated on the Motta Field turf to congratulate his rivals, many of whom were his former students in the Nashua system. It was just a memorable night.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3

EXETER’S BILL BALL STADIUM

Welcome to one of the NHIAA’s favorite tourney spots, and the place where the Bishop Guertin girls soccer season ended a year ago with a semifinal loss. Not this time. The Cardinals, matched up against the only team that beat them during the regular season, Pinkerton, put in three goals in the second half for a 4-1 win after the Astros had tied the game late in the second half.

Funniest anecdote was BG’s first two goals were scored with Cards girls hoop coach Brad Kreick going to the concession stand. Kreick had a few players on the team, most notably his junior point guard and soccer striker Brooke Paquette. When BG took the lead 2-1, a soccer parent yelled out, “Tell Brad to go home!” as laughter ensued. Kreick’s time will be Dec. 10 when BG opens up against arch rival Bedford.

Meanwhile, there was earlier pregame talk with NHIAA Executive Director Jeff Collins, yours truly putting a bug in his ear to right a wrong and pave the way for Alvirne to move back to where it should be in football, Division II. The Broncos’ sin was making the title in its first year in the lower division three years ago. Ludicrous.

THURSDAY, NOV. 4

BILL BALL STADIUM

Back again, this time for Hollis Brookline vs. Bow in the Division II girls soccer semifinals.

The Cavs were a hot team, having won nine straight, while the Falcons had just one loss all season. HB left feeling it was a game they should have won, falling 2-1 in a game in which they dominated except the most important time – overtime. A tough, hard luck loss.

Most notably afterward Clarke, with the pregame music for the next semi blaring in the speaker near where his team was gathered, paid tribute to his seniors, including Rachel Brackett, robbed of a potential game-winner, “who is one of the best players I’ve ever had.” He also recounted coming to Exeter in his first season as head coach and facing the Blue Hawks. Different time.

FRIDAY, NOV. 5

STELLOS STADIUM

Back to Nashua, back to Nashua South boys soccer. How could the drama of Monday night’s North-South game be topped? It was, with 11 rounds of penalty kicks in South’s epic Division I championship win over Hanover, Santiago Somorrostro’s PK winning it.

The drama was unmatched. Pre-game, while Lebanon and Oyster River were in penalty kicks trying to decide the Divsion II title, lines from either side of the main gate to get in, a packed house expected. The stands – one side only – were filled. And they saw a game for the ages, although it’s hard to have to decide games on PKs. Nashua school officials and athletic staff were all on hand – great to see South baseball coach James Gaj at a soccer game, a sign that miracles do occur.

The game ended at 11 p.m,, in 27 degree temperatures. Leaving Stellos, there were a couple of players getting photos taken in front of one the goals at the far end.

South coach Tom Bellen was in the locker room, graciously doing an interview after the celebration died down and most everyone had left. He was giving credit to Somorrostro, a sophomore. “Kid’s a big time player,” he said. “In a year or two, you wait, he’s going to be the Jadiel (Bomfim), the kid that everybody goes ‘Whoa, this kid stands out.'”

Most ironic thing was Bellen couldn’t bear to watch the Somorrostro kick, asking Stellos chief Bob Guidaboni to tell him. Good news was next.

SATURDAY, NOV. 6

MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL

There were a lot of events going on, two locals in volleyball finals at Pinkerton, cross country Meet of Champions at Nashua South, but playoff football was yours truly’s duty this day. First stop was to see the Spartans pull out a 35-21 Division II quarterfinal win over Plymouth, probably the first time we’ve ever seen a game involving Plymouth, believe it or not. It was good to see old friend Steve Scannell on the Milford sidelines, the former Spartans head coach who took the job in 1987 but returned about 15 years ago to help out where he could. And the guy he’s been helping out,

Keith Jones, was honored after 20-plus years as head coach, along with the seniors,after the game. Scannell recounted he drove up to see the school in 2000 after he was passed over for the North Middlesex head job, “and I never left.”

STELLOS STADIUM

Football game No. 2, this one between Salem and Bishop Guertin, and the Blue Devils and back Aiden McDonald ran all over the Cardinals, 61-31, with McDonald rushing for 333 yards and six TDs in just 16 carries, probably the best single game performance seen by a visiting player at Stellos.

The highlight of the night was the post game chat with Devils coach Steve Abraham, never one to hide his feelings, a sportswriter’s dream. Nothing cliché about this guy, and his players must love playing for him.

“We’re good, man,” he said. “The sky was falling when we started out 1-2,and part of that was Pinkerton’s a good team, BG’s a good team. We had to believe in ourselves. … I think we have another gear in us.”

Unfortunately for them, they fell to eventual champion Londonderry the following week in the semis. But here’s the best Abraham quote, as he recounted when BG edged his team 17-14 at Stellos back on Sept. 11 and the Cardinal student body yelled “Overrated!”

“That stuck with me,” he said, “for the last two months.”

And his Devils stuck – and struck – back.

SUNDAY, NOV. 7

EXETER’S BILL BALL STADIUM

Yes, back in Exeter for the final soccer game of the high school season, the biggest girls soccer game in Bishop Guertin history since the days when the Leo Koch team won the 1992 Class M-S title at Memorial Field in Concord, a couple of years into Guertin becoming a coed school.

The miracle here is that it didn’t go to penalty kicks. But oh, BG’s 1-0 title win over Bedford was drama filled. It started out early with Alyson Guerrette apparently slipping on the field turf and going down in pain, a torn ACL that ended her night; it continued with Emily Neily’s first goal of the season, then a temporary injury to BG goalkeeper Erin Morris, forcing backup Ashlyn Guerrette into the game during the Bulldogs’ final assault.

The most striking thing was the gather of players, fans, parents, family on the field long after the contest was over, almost like one big party without the refreshments. Soccer 2021 was done, and in 48 hours the area had two champions.

SATURDAY, NOV. 13

LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL

The furthest stop on the tourney trail, and by far the most damp. It was Milford vs. Lebanon in the Division II state football semifinals, and the Spartans prevailed 24-14. But the two schools inadvertently rescheduled the game into bad weather. All the games that day – two title games (Divisions III and IV) and three other semis (Divisions I and II) were all at 1 p.m. Milford and Lebanon officials felt they’d try to stay head of the curve and move it to 3 p.m. earlier in the week, with the forecast then calling for rain (originally they were thinking of playing that Friday night). Uh, the forecast changed, Friday’s rain moved out, a dry period was for the afternoon but more rain forecasted for later in the day Saturday. You could look up at the mountains behind the school and see the dark clouds taking over pre-game. Turns out the teams wanted to move back to 1, but it was too late.

Ooops. It poured in the second half, a sideways wind-swept rain but that played into the Spartans grind-it-out hands for the win. Grateful for a drenched Jones for stopping to do a quick post game interview. Final question was about Timberlane in the finals. “I’m not worried about it right now,” Jones said. “Right now I’m worried about getting out of this monsoon.”

Amen. The Spartans retreated to the school where they dried out and had pizza. The drive back was in that monsoon. Ugh.

SATURDAY, NOV. 20

PINKERTON ACADEMY, DERRY

The Final Stop on the Trail. A dry, sunny day for the Division II finals between the Spartans and Timberlane, with the Owls coming out on top, 13-10, a tough loss for Milford.

Surprising, when driving in to park at the lots in the front part of the long road to Alumni Field there were hardly any cars. About 45 minutes before kickoff. The crowd picked up, however, and saw a strange but fantastic game. Hardest part of the day for the media was finding Timberlane coach Kevin Fitzgerald afterward in the crowd of people behind the stands near where the locker rooms were. Astros AD Brian O’Reilly rescued us by finding him. Hey, Timberlane hadn’t won a title since 2001, you can forgive a coach for not staying on the field long afterward. Then The Trail ended the way it began — with a long walk back to the car.

That was a wrap for the 2021 fall season. Remember, the winter trail will start earlier than ever, with the Division I and II boys and girls basketball tourneys to begin before – yes, before – the Super Bowl.

Tom King may be reached at 

tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or you can follow him on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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