Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
The Week 12 Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll was released at noon today (Monday, Nov. 16).
Divisions III, IV and V crowned champions over the weekend. But, with one week remaining in the high school football season, the final poll placement for kings Souhegan of Amherst (Div. III), Plymouth (Div. IV) and Trinity of Manchester (Div. V) — yes, folks, Trinity — likely hinges on how Saturday’s title tilts unfold in Divisions I, II and VI.
Bishop Guertin of Nashua is No. 1 for the 11th straight week.
The Cardinals swept the six first-place votes for a Power Poll-record 11 weeks in a row. They’ll face Winnacunnet of Hampton for the Division II championship.
As always, let’s start by comparing the Week 12 Power Poll and my votes.
Continue to scroll down and you’ll find “3-and-out.”
Week 12 Power Poll
1. Bishop Guertin (11-0 overall, 9-0 Div. II / 6 first place) — No. 1
2. Salem (10-1, 8-1 Div. I) — No. 3
3. Nashua North (9-1, 8-1 Div. I) — No. 2
4. Plymouth (11-0, 10-0 Div. IV) — No. 5
5. Winnacunnet (8-3, 6-3 Div. II) — No. 8
6. Souhegan (10-1, 9-1 Div. III) — No. 6
7. Man. Central (7-4, 6-3 Div. I) — No. 7
8. Exeter (8-2, 7-2 Div. II) — No. 4
9. Portsmouth (9-2, 8-2 Div. III) — No. 10
10. Trinity (11-0, 10-0 Div. V) — NR
My votes
1. Bishop Guertin
2. Salem
3. Nashua North
4. Winnacunnet
5. Plymouth
6. Souhegan
7. Man. Central
8. Exeter
9. Portsmouth
10. Trinity
First down: PA is O-U-T
Pinkerton Academy of Derry was the No. 2 team in the preseason poll. Pinkerton’s 2009 campaign ends as an unranked team.
That’s a first, folks.
Pinkerton was ousted by Salem, 44-28, in the Division I semifinals. As a result, the Astros finish as a sub-.500 team (5-6 overall, 5-4 Div. I).
The loss snapped two streaks: (1) a five-year run of reaching the championship game, and (2) a 23-week run of appearing in the poll, which dates to its debut last season.
Look, the Astros weren’t a bad football team this season. They played the two toughest out-of-league games (BG and Brockton, Mass.), and reached the playoffs in the state’s most competitive division.
But, they did finish with more losses than wins. A top 10 team cannot fit this description.
Second down: Trinity cracks top 10
Trinity needed every one of its 11 wins — including a 41-7 Division V title-game victory over Bishop Brady — to officially enter the poll. After several weeks flirting with the chance to secure a ranking, the boys from Bridge Street did it.
Let the record show Trinity is No. 10 in the Week 12 Power Poll.
The Pioneers (11-0 overall, 10-0 Div. V) celebrated their first football championship since the glory days of 1988, as a Division I program. And yes, it can be argued that no team from Division V should be in the state’s top 10. The level of competition is not the same as the large-school leagues.
Regardless, Trinity has arrived. Considering the well-documented Division I struggles of the program earlier this decade, it’s a tremendous feat.
Third down: Final test
It’s up to Winnacunnet. And it’s that simple.
If we’re to have a fight for the top ranking in the season’s final poll, the Warriors (8-3 overall, 6-3 Div. II) must pull the upset against Bishop Guertin. Otherwise, it’s hard to imagine BG doesn’t close the deal and finish as the state’s top-ranked football team.
The Warriors beat Seacoast rival Exeter, 17-10, in the Division II semifinals. The victory was their fifth straight, and it lifted them to their best-ever ranking (No. 5).
Can this club climb higher, and bump the Cardinals from the top branch?
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
Noontime on Monday, Nov. 16. Three state champions were crowned over the weekend — all of whom appear in the Week 12 Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll, which was just released.
That’s right. Division V champion Trinity of Manchester finally cracked the top 10. The Pioneers join fellow champions Plymouth (Div. IV) and Souhegan of Amherst (Div. III).
Bishop Guertin of Nashua enters Saturday’s Division II title game with the state’s No. 1 ranking.
BG swept the six first-place votes for the 11th consecutive week.
Check back momentarily for “Power Poll: 3-and-out.”
Here’s New Hampshire’s top 10 for Week 12:
Week 12 Power Poll
1. Bishop Guertin (11-0 overall, 9-0 Div. II / 6 first place) — No. 1
2. Salem (10-1, 8-1 Div. I) — No. 3
3. Nashua North (9-1, 8-1 Div. I) — No. 2
4. Plymouth (11-0, 10-0 Div. IV) — No. 5
5. Winnacunnet (8-3, 6-3 Div. II) — No. 8
6. Souhegan (10-1, 9-1 Div. III) — No. 6
7. Man. Central (7-4, 6-3 Div. I) — No. 7
8. Exeter (8-2, 7-2 Div. II) — No. 4
9. Portsmouth (9-2, 8-2 Div. III) — No. 10
10. Trinity (11-0, 10-0 Div. V) — NR
Honorable Mention
Pinkerton (5-6, 5-4 Div. I)
Bumped
Pinkerton
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
The forecast for inclement weather tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 14) forced a change in plans for the eight slated high school football playoff games around the state. As a result, WGAM Sports Radio switched its “Super Saturday” coverage to “Super Sunday” — and added an extra hour to the show.
Here’s the press release from on-air personality and Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll voter Mike Mutnansky:
With the NHIAA moving eight high school playoff games this weekend, Sports Radio WGAM will still have lives scores, interviews and highlights from across the state as part of their “Super Sunday” coverage noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, November 15.
Fans can listen on the air at 1250-AM Manchester, 900-AM Nashua and free online at http://fnlnh.com, or http://wgamradio.com.
In addition fans can get live scores and updates via Twitter by following us at http://twitter.com/WGAMFNL.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
Due to the forecast for inclement weather, the eight postseason football games scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 14) have been moved to Sunday (Nov. 15) by the NHIAA.
Pat Corbin, the NHIAA executive director, issued this release just before noon today (Friday, Nov. 13):
Due to the impending heavy rains scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, November 14, 2009 all playoff football games scheduled for tomorrow are postponed to Sunday, November 15, 2009.
Many of us can recall the horrific rains of last year and the untold damage that was done to many of our facilities not to mention the lack of crowds to watch these championship student athletes.
I understand the challenges this places on people and schools but I believe we owe it to our participants and fans to make the best opportunity possible available to them. I have checked four different forecasts and all indicate an 80 – 100% chance of rain all day on Saturday.
The start times will remain the same – i.e. 1:00 pm. Tonight’s BG/Alvirne game will be played as scheduled.
I apologize again for the inconveniences this will cause but we feel that we need to go with the weather predictions at this time.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
Wondering what’s going on at the eight high school football playoff games slated for Saturday (Nov. 14)? Tune in to WGAM Sports-Radio.
Here’s the press release from on-air personality and Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll voter Mike Mutnansky:
Sports Radio WGAM will have lives scores, interviews and highlights from across the state Saturday as part of their “Super Saturday” coverage noon-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Fans can listen on the air at 1250-AM Manchester, 900-AM Nashua and free online at http://fnlnh.com, or http://wgamradio.com.
In addition fans can get live scores and updates via Twitter by following us at http://twitter.com/WGAMFNL
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
The Week 11 Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll was released at noon today (Monday, Nov. 9). Specific regular-season outcomes in Divisions I, II and III created some change in the latest poll.
Much of it makes me wonder. Or, when you check out my ballot, perhaps you’ll wonder what I was thinking.
Either way, this week’s top 10 should create some debate. And that’s a great thing.
One area where there’s still no argument is at the top of the poll.
Bishop Guertin of Nashua is No. 1 for the 1oth straight week. The Cardinals swept the six first-place votes for a Power Poll-record 10 weeks in a row.
Here’s the comparison between the Week 11 Power Poll and my votes. Then there’s “3-and-out.”
Week 11 Power Poll
1. Bishop Guertin (10-0 overall, 8-0 Div. II / 6 first place) — No. 1
2. Nashua North (8-1, 7-1 Div. I) — No. 4
3. Salem (9-1, 7-1 Div. I) — No. 2
4. Exeter (8-1, 7-1 Div. II) — No. 3
5. Plymouth (10-0, 9-0 Div. IV) — No. 5
6. Souhegan (9-1, 8-1 Div. III) — No. 6
7. Man. Central (7-3, 6-2 Div. I) — No. 10
8. Winnacunnet (7-3, 5-3 Div. II) — No. 7
9. Pinkerton (5-5, 5-3 Div. I) — No. 9
10. Portsmouth (9-1, 8-1 Div. III) — NR
My votes
1. Bishop Guertin
2. Salem
3. Nashua North
4. Exeter
5. Man. Central
6. Winnacunnet
7. Plymouth
8. Souhegan
9. Portsmouth
10. Trinity
First down: Week 11 voting strategy
How can Salem still earn the No. 2 vote on my ballot? The team was beaten badly by Manchester Central, 45-7. The 38-point setback ended the possibility of a perfect season for the Blue Devils.
Subsequently, how can Central rank lower on my ballot than Salem?
As I wrote last Tuesday in the New Hampshire Union Leader, we’ve reached the point where head-to-head results can’t be the only factor in ranking teams. Many of these teams have beaten each other.
Therefore, it’s about body of work with me.
One game — including Salem’s terrible blowout loss to close the regular season — does not make a campaign. I still believe Salem is the state’s second-best team.
Besides, if Salem isn’t No. 2, who is?
The poll says Nashua North. But the Titans were dismantled by Salem, 54-33, in Week 7.
Exeter? The Blue Hawks were roughed up by BG, 42-0.
Central? This team was No. 10 in the poll last week. Jumping all the way to No. 2 is hard to justify.
If you look closely at my ballot, you’ll notice teams from the same division are ranked in order of their postseason seeds:
– Salem (No. 1 seed in Div. I, No. 2 vote) ranks higher than Nashua North (No. 2 seed, No. 3 vote) and Central (No. 3 seed, No. 5 vote).
– BG (No. 1 seed in Div. II, No. 1 vote) rankes higher than Exeter (No. 2 seed, No. 4 vote) and Winnacunnet (No. 3 seed, No. 6 vote).
– Souhegan (No. 1 seed in Div. III, No. 7 vote) ranks higher than Portsmouth (No. 2 seed, No. 9 vote).
Again, body of work. These teams earned their playoff seeds based on how they played throughout the season. This week, it’s the most objective way to rank them as well.
Second down: One more chance?
Trinity of Manchester is still undefeated — and still a poll outsider.
The Pioneers qualified for their first championship game since 1990 (Class L). The program hasn’t won a state title since 1988 (Div. I).
Can Trinity (10-0 overall, 9-0 Div. V) crack the top 10 with a title-game victory this Saturday over Bishop Brady of Concord?
Third down: Pinkerton in the poll?
Pinkerton Academy of Derry did not receive a vote on my ballot for the first time in the brief history of the Power Poll.
At this time, I just don’t see the Astros as a top 10 team.
And, quite frankly, I’m surprised the other voters disagree.
The Astros not only remain in the top 10 after their second consecutive loss to a fellow Division I playoff team (Nashua North, 23-14). They didn’t even drop. They’re still No. 9.
There comes a point when a team’s number of losses becomes too difficult to overlook. The Astros, overall, are a 5-5 football team. While two of those losses came against BG and Brockton, Mass., having a five-loss, .500 team in the top 10 makes no sense to me.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
Bishop Guertin of Nashua will host its Division II semifinal against Alvirne of Hudson on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., according to BG athletic director and head football coach Tony Johnson.
The move was made to avoid a scheduling conflict at Stellos Stadium, also the home field for Nashua North. The Titans will host Manchester Central in a Division I semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m., the normal start time for NHIAA football playoff games.
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
It’s noon on Monday, Nov. 9. We’ve reached the postseason in all six divisions, and the Week 11 Union Leader/WGAM/WMUR Power Poll was released a short time ago.
Bishop Guertin of Nashua beat down Exeter on Saturday night, 42-0. The Cardinals clinched the No. 1 playoff seed. And they’re still the state’s No. 1 team.
BG swept the six first-place votes for the 10th consecutive week.
Check back in a bit. Three items about the new rankings — also known as “Power Poll: 3-and-out” — will be posted.
Here’s New Hampshire’s top 10 for Week 11:
Week 11 Power Poll
1. Bishop Guertin (10-0 overall, 8-0 Div. II / 6 first place) — No. 1
2. Nashua North (8-1, 7-1 Div. I) — No. 4
3. Salem (9-1, 7-1 Div. I) — No. 2
4. Exeter (8-1, 7-1 Div. II) — No. 3
5. Plymouth (10-0, 9-0 Div. IV) — No. 5
6. Souhegan (9-1, 8-1 Div. III) — No. 6
7. Man. Central (7-3, 6-2 Div. I) — No. 10
8. Winnacunnet (7-3, 5-3 Div. II) — No. 7
9. Pinkerton (5-5, 5-3 Div. I) — No. 9
10. Portsmouth (9-1, 8-1 Div. III) — NR
Honorable Mention
Alvirne (5-5, 4-4 Div. II)
Londonderry (5-4, 5-3 Div. I)
Trinity (9-0, 8-0 Div. V)
Bumped
No teams dropped from the top 10 Londonderry
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
