As promised, here are a few “extra points” regarding some of the participants in Friday night’s Queen City Football Jamboree:
Trinity: Tough up front
If its play against Campbell of Litchfield is any indication, Trinity of Manchester won’t be a pushover this season. Trinity — a Division VI school based on enrollment (470 students) that petitioned up to D-V — was mighty physical up front. The Pioneers dominanted at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
The offensive line did a nice job setting the edges, which allowed brothers/running backs Sean and Connor Lyons to turn the corners and use their speed. The O-line also cleared paths between the tackles where RBs Tyrell Skinner and Gerid Paquette produced.
The defensive line was impressive as well. The unit consistently collapsed the pocket, rarely allowing Campbell quarterback Kiel Canada to feel comfortable. Aside from a few containment issues after forcing various Cougars to scramble, Trinity’s second-year head coach, John Trisciani, said he was very pleased.
“I thought we were very phsyical and very disciplined,” Trisciani said. “And that’s all we were trying to do (Friday).”
Guertin: Looking good — very good
Of the 10 teams at the jamboree, Bishop Guertin of Nashua was most impressive — by far. Guertin, last year’s Division II runner-up, topped D-I Manchester Central, 17-7. Speed is definitely the strength of the Cardinals. It certainly translated into exciting play on offense against Central. But the team speed on defense was truly eye-opening. The Cards flocked to the football and made it difficult for the Little Green to sustain drives.
“Going into the game I was a little concerned about the defense,” BG head coach Tony Johnson said. “We have a lot of young kids. I knew we were quick. But we’re a little bit quicker than I thought, which is the good news.”
Good news for Guertin. Bad news for the rest of D-II.
Central: Sluggish start
Central head coach Ryan Ray held a 20-minute closed-door meeting with his players after the Little Green lost to BG. When the door opened and Ray emerged, I asked if he was concerned with Central’s overall struggles to move the football. There are, after all, high expectations for the ‘08 Little Green. And Guertin raced to a 17-0 lead in a flash.
If Ray was concerned, he didn’t show it. He first credited Guertin for its fine play. He also said his team didn’t do itself any favors with an inability to execute plays. But panic in the preseason? No way. Central’s problems, he said, can be corrected with sharper focus.
Also, we’ll keep a close eye on the QB competition. Looks like West isn’t the only Manchester school yet to settle on a starting signal caller. Seniors Cole Warren and Pat Tatro both took snaps under center against Guertin. Ray said both the 6-foot 2-inch, 190-pound Warren and 5-foot-10, 165-pound Tatro did a nice job “managing the game.”
-MT
We’re another day closer to the start of the 2008 high school football campaign. Between tonight (Saturday, Aug. 30) and tomorrow, I’ll offer a few observations and tid bits from Friday night’s Bo Dickson Memorial Queen City Football Jamboree at Gill Stadium. Let’s start with my alma mater.
Manchester West
Numbers are down on West’s roster as the transition of Bedford athletes to Bedford High continues. But the Blue Knights’ intensity never dipped. West beat Bedford handily, 41-7. The margin of victory for the Division I Blue Knights was somewhat expected given Bedford, a Division III program, is playing its first varsity campaign — without a senior class. Unexpected, at least to this reporter, was the non-stop energy with which West competed. Think the Blue Knights are motivated to surprise a few eyes? You bet.
West head coach Travis Cote said the possibility exists that his two quarterbacks remain in contention for the starting job. For the record, that’s 6-foot, 180-pound senior Roland Lacroix and 5-foot-8, 145-pound junior Jeff Wallace. Each played one quarter against the Bulldogs. Each showcased his greatest strength, Cote said.
“They’re still battling it out. We really haven’t determined,” Cote said after the win. “I think Jeff might be a little bit ahead of (Lacroix). His (Wallace’s) footwork is a little bit better. But Roland throws the ball better. It’s going to be a tough decision. They may be splitting duty. They may both get touches all year. We’ll see.”
The head coach also lauded his offensive linemen. The boys up front did a nice job creating running lanes for senior fullback Nick Florence (two TDs), and picking up Bedford blitzes. As a team, West also did a nice job protecting the football.
Oh! When you pick up a West roster this season, pay close attention to No. 22. That’s Beau Breton. He’s a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior flanker/free safety, who also punts. The speedster probably sold 50-50 tickets between snaps.
“He’s one of our best athletes,” Cote said. “The way we are this year — we’re a little thin on numbers — we’ve got to get our best athletes the ball. He’s certainly one of them. We want to make sure he gets touches.”
That should do it for now. More to come this weekend.
-MT
The 2008 high school football season kicks off Friday, Sept. 5. As that date rapidly approaches, 10 teams will continue to finalize their varsity rosters and solidify positions this Friday (Aug. 29) at the annual Queen City football jamboree. Here’s a list of the squads scheduled to clash in abbreviated scrimmages at Gill Stadium in Manchester:
4 p.m. — Campbell of Litchfield (Division VI) vs. Trinity of Manchester (Division V)
5 p.m. — Salem (Division I) vs. Goffstown (Division III)
6 p.m. — Manchester Memorial (Division I) vs. Timberlane of Plaistow (Division II)
7 p.m. — Bedford (Division III) vs. Manchester West (Division I)
8 p.m. — Bishop Guertin of Nashua (Division II) vs. Manchester Central (Division I)
