Bulldogs get ready for physical Grizzlies

The Bedford High School football team opened its season with a victory at home for the second straight year.

Now the Bulldogs have to keep history from repeating itself any further.

A year ago, Bedford started the year with a win over Milford to open Division III action, and then lost seven of its eight remaining games.

“Success against one team does not equate success against another team,” Bedford coach Kurt Hines said. “We’ve been watching film. We did it last year, but we’re doing it more this year, going over the finer things. We’re getting them to realize that a win in Week 1 does not mean a win in Week 2.”

The Bulldogs had plenty of success last Friday, beating up on Manchester West 51-6. Jordan Garron had over 300 total yards for Bedford and six touchdowns as the Bulldogs unleashed a new spread offense.

But even with the wide-open formation, Bedford threw just twice.

“We proved Friday, even though we’re a spread offense, we only passed twice,” Hines said. “You can still shove it down people’s throats in a spread offense. I think it will fare well against Goffstown.”

The Grizzlies come to town for a 7 p.m. start on Friday after losing to Concord 22-7 last week. Although Goffstown is known as one of the more physical teams in the division, the Grizzlies gave up 200 yards on the ground to Concord’s Tolbert Nemo.

“They’re a very physical team,” Hines said. “They’ve got big kids and they like to hit. Our goal this week, if we don’t wrapup, they’re going to embarrass us. We’ve got to come ready.”

Also in Division III Friday night, Souhegan and Portsmouth will meet at 7 p.m. on the seacoast for a rematch of the last two division championship games. Souhegan is coming off a come-from-behind win over Londonderry, while Portsmouth took one on the chin against Nashua South.

Milford will have its home-opener, also at 7 p.m., when it hosts the Spartans of Pembroke. Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season.