Division III playoff scenarios
Posted by: MARC THALER, UnionLeader.com
This weekend marks the conclusion of the Division III regular season. Here’s a look at the possible playoff scenarios.
What we know: Souhegan of Amherst (6-1 Div. III), Portsmouth (6-1) and Milford (5-2) have clinched playoff berths.
The postseason begins Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for ConVal of Peterborough (4-3) and Goffstown (3-4). The teams go head-to-head, at Goffstown High School, for the final playoff berth.
Now, if Goffstown wins and Hollis/Brookline (3-4) beats Pembroke (2-5), there’s a three-way tie at 4-4 between CV, Goffstown and H/B.
Goffstown clinches based on the first tiebreaker: Record against teams involved in the tie.
The Grizzlies would be 2-0. H/B is 1-1. CV would be 0-2.
As for playoff seeding …
– Souhegan clinches the No. 1 seed with a win Saturday at John Stark (1-6). That means the winner of Friday’s Milford-at-Portsmouth game clinches the No. 2 seed. If Goffstown wins its game, here’s the setup:
1. Souhegan (7-1)
- Milford/Portsmouth
- Milford/Portsmouth
4. Goffstown (4-4)
– Based on head-to-head outcomes earlier this season, if Souhegan, Portsmouth and CV win:
1. Souhegan (7-1)
2. Portsmouth (7-1)
3. CV (5-3)
4. Milford (5-3)
Less likely, but still possible, Portsmouth can clinch the No. 1 seed. It requires Souhegan to lose, and the Clippers to win.
– If Souhegan loses, and Portsmouth and CV win:
1. Portsmouth (7-1)
2. Souhegan (6-2)
3. CV (5-3)
4. Milford (5-3)
– If Souhegan loses, and Portsmouth and Goffstown win:
1. Portsmouth (7-1)
2. Souhegan (6-2)
3. Milford (5-3)
4. Goffstown (4-4)
Even less likely, but still possible, Milford can clinch the No. 1 seed. It requires Souhegan to lose and Milford to win. If this happens, Souhegan, Milford and Portsmouth all finish 6-2.
Milford clinches based on the first tiebreaker: Record against teams involved in the tie.
Milford would be 2-0. Souhegan is 1-1. Portsmouth would be 0-2.
With the top seed established, the No. 2 seed is determined based on the head-to-head game between Souhegan and Portsmouth. Souhegan owns the tiebreaker.
So, the seeding would be:
1. Milford (6-2)
2. Souhegan (6-2)
3. Portsmouth (6-2)
4. CV/Goffstown winner
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Whaddaya Say Souhegan…this is your chance to make up for the embarrasing Milford loss and show everyone just how for real you are. Avenge that loss, and/or blow out Portsmouth again and that Milford game is a mere blip on the radar. I am a Plymouth fan here pulling for you guys! If you can compete with the big boys, prove it over the next three weeks over your D-III foes.
Comment by Jimbo — October 29, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Haha, thanks Jimbo!
Comment by Sean — October 30, 2009 @ 5:20 am
Jimbo you traitor.
Comment by Bobby — October 30, 2009 @ 12:56 pm
Beating Milford means they can compete with the big boys? That horse left the barn after their loss to Milford….
Comment by John D — November 1, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
John D, let me preface this by saying I’m not from Amherst. Nobody here is making excuses for that loss here (as I think we’ve heard them all). Souhegan just didn’t show up to play at all that first game and Milford played excellent tough football. Even great teams have down games (Patriots in the Super Bowl, BG vs Keene last year, etc.) However, if they unload on Milford this weekend like I expect them to, then they’re very much back in the discussion. And please, don’t just read scores, watch them play too. They’ve got the size and athleticism up front and the speed and talent in the backfield along with probably the best player in NH, Jellison (full ride to UNH on the table). I’m not saying they’re better than BG or Salem, but if they pull out a BIG win over Milford and win it all including Turkey Day, I’d be willing to overlook the one loss and say that they can play with the big boys.
Comment by Sam — November 2, 2009 @ 11:11 am
It is not just the scores it’s the way they lost, arrogant, lack of effort. We all know with kids, you never know what you get, I might have been a little harsh, but all they can do is play the schedule they are given…I still have my doubts, by the way I have seen them play
Comment by John D — November 2, 2009 @ 7:21 pm