Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
SALEM — Manchester Central 45, Salem 7.
That’s right, folks. The Little Green unloaded on previously unbeaten Salem tonight (Friday, Nov. 6) at Grant Field. Gang Green scored the game’s first 45 points, and played virtually the entire fourth quarter with a running clock.
The victory earned Central (7-3 overall, 6-2 Div. I) the final berth in the Division I postseason, which begins next week. The Little Green are the No. 3 seed based on tiebreakers involving playoff-bound Nashua North (7-1, 6-1) and Pinkerton Academy of Derry (5-4, 5-2), which play tomorrow afternoon.
Salem’s quest for perfection is over. The Blue Devils are still the No. 1 seed. But they enter the postseason 9-1 overall and 7-1 in league action.
Tailback Mike Cavanaugh was immense for Central. He had 124 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He also converted a pair of two-point runs.
Central scored on the game’s first drive. It drained 7-minutes, 32 seconds off the clock. Cavanaugh capped the 15-play, 68-yard march — which included two fourth-down conversions — to give Central a 6-0 lead.
The lead grew to 17-0 at halftime. Salem had four second-half fumbles, including three in the third quarter, that ended any chance of a comeback.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
This weekend marks the conclusion of the Division VI regular season. Unlike Divisions I through V, however, it’s far more difficult to list every Division VI playoff scenario.
More on that in a moment.
What we know: Inter-Lakes of Meredith (8-0 Div. VI), Winnisquam of Tilton (7-1), Newfound of Bristol (7-1) and Campbell of Litchfield (6-2) clinched postseason berths. Inter-Lakes locks up the top seed with a win over Newfound on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Now, scenarios exist for three of these teams to finish with identical records. And because all of these teams would not have played each other during the regular season (i.e. head-to-head), this division’s second tiebreaker — the football point rating system — is applied.
The point rating system (PRS) is a mathematical formula that weights wins.
Division VI is the only league where it’s possible two teams may not meet during the regular season, thus the need to make the PRS the second tiebreaker (again, when head-to-head play doesn’t do the job). This is according to multiple sources well-versed in NHIAA football tiebreakers.
Determining each playoff team’s PRS requires the need to calculate a point value for every squad the playoff team beat. And all teams have one regular-season game remaining, so it’s possible for many, many, many scenarios.
Let’s leave it at this: The playoff teams are set. Seeding is to be determined.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m.
Two Five of the state semifinal football games slated for Saturday, Nov. 7, will kick off later than the normal 1 p.m. start times.
Here are the four games, according to the NHIAA:
– Div. III: No. 1 Souhegan vs. No. 4 Milford kicks off at 3 p.m.
– Div. III: No. 2 Portsmouth vs. No. 3 ConVal kicks off at 7 p.m.
– Div. IV: No. 1 Plymouth vs. No. 4 Kennett kicks off at 2 p.m.
– Div. V: No. 1 Trinity vs. No. 4 Bow kicks off at 2 p.m. (Gill Stadium)
– Div. V: No. 2 Pelham vs. No. 3 Bishop Brady kicks off at 5 p.m.
As is customary, playoff games will be played at the homes of the higher seeds.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
The Week 10 Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll was released at noon today (Monday, Nov. 2). The poll looks a bit different, particularly at the bottom.
That’s where you’ll find Division I teams Londonderry, Pinkerton Academy of Derry, and Manchester Central.
Bishop Guertin of Nashua is No. 1 for the ninth straight week. They’ve swept the six first-place votes for a Power Poll-record nine weeks in a row.
Here’s the comparison between the Week 10 Power Poll and my votes. Then there’s “3-and-out.”
Week 10 Power Poll
1. Bishop Guertin (9-0 overall, 7-0 Div. II / 6 first place) — No. 1
2. Salem (9-0, 7-0 Div. I) — No. 2
3. Exeter (8-0, 7-0 Div. II) — No. 3
4. Nashua North (7-1, 6-1 Div. I) — No. 4
5. Plymouth (9-0, 8-0 Div. IV) — No. 6
6. Souhegan (8-1, 7-1 Div. III) — No. 7
7. Winnacunnet (6-3, 4-3 Div. II) — No. 9
8. Londonderry (5-4, 5-3 Div. I) — No. 8
9. Pinkerton (5-4, 5-2 Div. I) — No. 5
10. Man. Central (6-3, 5-2 Div. I) — NR
My votes
1. Bishop Guertin
2. Salem
3. Exeter
4. Nashua North
5. Winnacunnet
6. Plymouth
7. Souhegan
8. Pinkerton
9. Londonderry
10. Trinity
First down: Out of order?
The biggest head-scratcher involves Pinkerton’s placement in the poll.
The Astros are No. 9, which, by itself, isn’t overly shocking. Losing to an unranked team (i.e. Souhegan’s Week 6 loss to Milford) has a consequence. But, if you take a look at the team occupying the No. 8 slot — Londonderry — things become puzzling.
Pinkerton didn’t just beat Londonderry in Week 5. Pinkerton pummeled Londonderry. Final score: 54-19.
Is it right that the Astros are looking up at the Lancers?
Second down: Moving up
Winnacunnet of Hampton jumped two spots from last week. The now-No. 7 Warriors are riding a three-game win streak, including road wins over playoff contenders Alvirne of Hudson (27-14) and Timberlane of Plaistow (40-14).
The Warriors can clinch the No. 3 seed with a victory this week against winless Spaulding of Rochester. They could pose problems in the playoffs.
Third down: Power supply
This week’s top five teams — BG, Salem, Exeter, Nashua North and Plymouth — are a combined 42-1 (.977 win percentage).
Guertin, Salem, Exeter and Plymouth are four of the five teams still unbeaten this season. Trinity of Manchester (9-0 overall, 8-0 Div. V) remains the only undefeated team that has yet to crack the top 10.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
It’s noon on Monday, Nov. 2. The Week 10 Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll was just released.
There’s no change at No. 1. Bishop Guertin of Nashua still owns the state’s top ranking.
The Cardinals swept the six first-place votes for the ninth straight week.
Check back later today/tonight for “Power Poll: 3-and-out” that identifies three items regarding the new rankings.
Here’s New Hampshire’s top 10 for Week 10:
Week 10 Power Poll
1. Bishop Guertin (9-0 overall, 7-0 Div. II / 6 first place) — No. 1
2. Salem (9-0, 7-0 Div. I) — No. 2
3. Exeter (8-0, 7-0 Div. II) — No. 3
4. Nashua North (7-1, 6-1 Div. I) — No. 4
5. Plymouth (9-0, 8-0 Div. IV) — No. 6
6. Souhegan (8-1, 7-1 Div. III) — No. 7
7. Winnacunnet (6-3, 4-3 Div. II) — No. 9
8. Londonderry (5-4, 5-3 Div. I) — No. 8
9. Pinkerton (5-4, 5-2 Div. I) — No. 5
10. Man. Central (6-3, 5-2 Div. I) — NR
Honorable Mention
Portsmouth (8-1, 7-1 Div. III)
Trinity (9-0, 8-0 Div. V)
Bumped
Portsmouth
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
The regular season is complete for Divisions III, IV and V. Four contenders from each division remain.
Here’s a look at the playoff teams, in order of seeding.
State semifinal games are Saturday, Nov. 7, at the homes of the higher seeds (No. 1 vs. No. 4, No. 2 vs. No. 3).
Division III
1. Souhegan (8-1 overall, 7-1 Div. III)
2. Portsmouth (8-1, 7-1)
3. ConVal (5-4, 5-3)
4. Milford (5-4, 5-3)
Division IV
1. Plymouth (9-0 overall, 8-0 Div. IV)
2. Laconia (6-3, 6-2)
3. Hanover (6-3, 5-3)
4. Kennett (6-3, 5-3)
Division V
1. Trinity (9-0 overall, 8-0 Div. V)
2. Pelham (7-2, 6-2)
3. Bishop Brady (7-2, 6-2)
4. Bow (6-3, 5-3)
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
Week 10 marks the conclusion of the Division I regular season. Here’s a look at the possible playoff scenarios.
What we know: Salem (7-0 Div. I), Nashua North (6-1) and Pinkerton Academy of Derry (5-2) are playoff-bound. The unbeaten Blue Devils (9-0 overall) locked up the No. 1 postseason seed with their 42-0 Friday win over Manchester West.
Londonderry (5-3) or Manchester Central (5-2) will clinch the No. 4 seed this Friday, Nov. 6.
North and Pinkerton meet this Saturday, Nov. 7, in Derry. Playoff implications here, too.
Did you know?: Nashua South was officially eliminated from playoff contention with Friday’s 31-29 loss at Londonderry.
As I wrote in the New Hampshire Sunday News today (Sunday, Nov. 1), the last defending Division I champ that didn’t qualify for the playoffs the following year was Concord. The Crimson Tide won the title in 2000, but didn’t return to the postseason in 2001.
OK, let’s start with this year’s fight for the No. 4 seed.
You can bet the Londonderry Lancers, whose regular season concluded in Week 9, will make the trip Friday night to Grant Field. That’s where Salem hosts Central.
If Central wins, the Little Green clinch the playoff berth.
If Salem wins, Londonderry scores the spot. Both Central and Londonderry would finish with 5-3 Division I records in this scenario. Londonderry owns the head-to-head tiebreaker courtesy of its 31-20 Week 6 win.
So …
– If Central and North win, the seeds look like this:
1. Salem (7-1) *
2. Nashua North (7-1)
3. Central (6-2)
4. Pinkerton (5-3)
* Though Salem and North have the same record in this scenario, the Blue Devils own the head-to-head tiebreaker: a 54-33 Week 7 win.
– If Central loses and North wins, the seeds look like this:
1. Salem (8-0)
2. Nashua North (7-1)
3. Pinkerton (5-3) *
4. Londonderry (5-3) **
* Pinkerton, Londonderry and Central all finish 5-3 in this scenario. All teams would be 1-1 in head-to-head play (first tiebreaker). Pinkerton earns the No. 3 seed by having the best road record win percentage (second tiebreaker).
Pinkerton is 2-2 on the road (.500). Londonderry is 1-3 (.250). Central would be 1-3 (.250).
** Londonderry earns the No. 4 seed by beating Central, 31-20, in Week 6.
– If Central loses and Pinkerton wins, the seeds look like this:
1. Salem (8-0)
2. Pinkerton (6-2) *
3. Nashua North (6-2)
4. Londonderry (5-3)
* Though Pinkerton and North have the same record in this scenario, the Astros own the head-to-head tiebreaker: a win this Saturday.
– If Central and Pinkerton win, the seeds look like this:
1. Salem (7-1)
2. Nashua North (6-2) *
3. Central (6-2) **
4. Pinkerton (6-2)
* North, Central and Pinkerton all finish 6-2 in this scenario. All teams would be 1-1 in head-to-head play (first tiebreaker). North earns the No. 2 seed by having the best road record win percentage (second tiebreaker).
North would be 3-1 on the road (.750). Pinkerton is 2-2 (.500). Central would be 2-2 (.500).
** Central earns the No. 3 seed by beating Pinkerton, 21-10, in Week 9.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
Week 10 marks the conclusion of the Division II regular season. Here’s a look at the possible playoff scenarios.
What we know: Bishop Guertin of Nashua (7-0 Div. II), Exeter (7-0) and Winnacunnet of Hampton (4-3) have clinched playoff berths. BG and Exeter play Saturday, Nov. 7, to determine the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds. Winnacunnet’s seeding has yet to be determined.
Timberlane of Plaistow (4-3) and Alvirne of Hudson (3-4) are fighting for the final playoff ticket.
Timberlane plays at Alvirne on Friday, Nov. 6. Winnacunnet plays at Spaulding of Rochester (0-7) on Friday.
So …
– If Winnacunnet wins, it secures the No. 3 seed, which sets the seeds like this:
1. BG-Exeter winner
2. BG-Exeter loser
3. Winnacunnet (5-3) *
4. Timberlane-Alvirne winner
* Even if Timberlane wins to finish with the same record as Winnacunnet, the Warriors own the head-to-head tiebreaker: a 40-14 Week 8 win
– If Winnacunnet loses and Timberlane wins, the seeds look like this:
1. BG-Exeter winner
2. BG-Exeter loser
3. Timberlane (5-3)
4. Winnacunnet (4-4) *
* Though Winnacunnet and Alvirne have the same record in this scenario, the Warriors own the head-to-head tiebreaker: a 27-14 Week 7 win
– If Winnacunnet loses and Alvirne wins, the seeds look like this:
1. BG-Exeter winner
2. BG-Exeter loser
3. Winnacunnet (4-4) *
4. Alvirne (4-4) *
* Winnacunnet, Alvirne and Timberlane all finish 4-4 in this scenario. Winnacunnet earns the No. 3 seed and Alvirne secures the No. 4 seed based on the first tie-breaker: Record against teams involved in the tie. Winnacunnet is 2-0. Alvirne would be 1-1. Timberlane would be 0-2.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
GOFFSTOWN — The Cougars are heading back to high school football’s Division III postseason.
A late-game defensive stand inside its 30-yard line propelled ConVal of Peterborough to the 21-19 winner-take-all triumph at Goffstown today (Saturday, Oct. 31).
The reward for winning: ConVal clinches the No. 3 playoff seed. The Cougars (5-4 overall, 5-3 Div. III) play No. 2 Portsmouth (8-1, 7-1) next Saturday in the state semifinals.
ConVal quarterback Jon Queen had a 1-yard rushing touchdown. He also tossed 80- and 48-yard scoring strikes to Terry Ellis.
QB Brandon Shea, and running backs Sean McGarry and Jake Staffiere (game-high 131 rushing yards) hit paydirt for Goffstown, which closed its season 3-6 overall and 3-5 in league play.
The Cougars made the program’s first playoff appearance in 2007. Now it’s two times in three seasons.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
LONDONDERRY — Matt Charest converted a game-winning 32-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining in regulation tonight (Friday, Oct. 31) at chilly Lancer Park.
The clutch kick lifted Londonderry to a 31-29 win over defending champion Nashua South, officially eliminated from playoff contention. But the kick didn’t clinch the fourth-and-final Division I playoff berth for the Lancers.
That’s because Manchester Central defeated Pinkerton Academy of Derry tonight at Gill Stadium, 21-10.
Londonderry, which finished its regular-season slate tonight, is 5-4 overall and 5-3 in Division I. Central, which closes its regular-season campaign next week at Salem, improved to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in league action.
So here it is: If Central wins next week, it clinches the playoff berth. If Central loses, the Lancers head to the second season.
