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# Batstone's big night leads Exeter football to win against Dover
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/batstones-big-night-leads-exeter-football-to-win-against-dover/
- Published: 2024-09-07T15:30:14.000Z
- Updated: 2024-09-07T15:30:14.000Z
- Description: DOVER – Daniel Batstone emerged onto the scene as a starting running back for the Exeter High School football team last season and became a relied upon chain mover and touchdown scorer. In Friday night’s season opener against Dover, the senior immediately made his bid to be regarded as the best runn
- Author: Dan Doyon
- Tags: Division I, Dover, Exeter, football, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

DOVER – Daniel Batstone emerged onto the scene as a starting running back for the Exeter High School football team last season and became a relied upon chain mover and touchdown scorer.

In Friday night’s season opener against Dover, the senior immediately made his bid to be regarded as the best running back in the state.

Batstone’s memorable night began with a 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and capped it off with an 8-yard scoring run to wrap up a five-touchdown night on 15 carries that netted 164 yards during Exeter’s 42-12 Division I victory over Dover.

“It feels amazing. I expected nothing less of myself and I can’t thank anyone except my (offensive) line and coaches,” Batstone said. “We worked our (butts) off this entire year since Dec. 1 getting ready for this game.”

Exeter’s 7-3 campaign last year ended with a 27-6 loss to Londonderry in the Division I quarterfinals.

“I think our team is going far this year, there is a lot of potential and a lot of good things going on,” Batstone added.

Batstone’s classmate and dominant two-way lineman Noah Thomas loves helping to plow the way for Batstone and the rest of the backfield. Jack Kavanaugh also added 75 rushing yards on nine carries.

“I couldn’t be happier with our backfield. I love blocking for these guys and I know my brothers on the line do too,” Thomas said. We take care of (Batstone) like family. We expect him to get us touchdowns and we love it.”

Despite what he accomplished on the offensive side, Batstone’s biggest play of the night came on the defensive side when he blitzed from his middle linebacker for a sack and forced fumble of Dover quarterback Cooper Gagne, with pressure help from defensive tackle Kellen Bateman.

Batstone then followed a 16-yard run by Kavanaugh with a 1-yard touchdown plunge to give Dover a 14-0 lead with 4:50 left in the first quarter.

“I went in for a blitz on a pass read and I stuck my nose in there and tried not to hesitate,” Batstone said. “I made the play, we ended up getting a forced fumble, and you can’t be happier than that.”

Batstone’s highlight reel run of the night came when he broke through the front and busted off for a 77-yard touchdown run to give the Blue Hawks a 21-0 lead with 4:31 left in the second quarter.

“(Batstone) is a year better, a year bigger, a year faster, and a year smarter,” Dover coach Eric Cumba said. “He made a couple of cuts tonight that I’m not not sure he would've made last year, but another year of experience makes him a much smoother runner.”

After Exeter quarterback Michael Caron found Charlie Dulac for an 8-yard touchdown pass, Batstone scored his fourth touchdown of the night from 23 yards out to give Exeter a 35-6 lead in the third quarter.

“It was a real solid performance, he’s worked hard all year round and had a senior game,” Exeter coach Bill Ball said.

Batstone said he was happy with how his first season as a starting running back went, but he came into this season knowing there were plenty of ways to improve. He certainly made an opening statement on Friday.

“Last season I ended pretty well and I was happy with my first season as a running back, but I knew there were things I had to work on; I have huge aspirations,” Batstone said. “I worked my (butt) off all season. But I couldn’t do it without the line. You’ve got to give those guys credit where credit is due.”