> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Early success in running game helped Bedford football separate from Windham
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/early-success-in-running-game-helped-bedford-football-separate-from-windham/
- Published: 2019-09-09T14:39:49.000Z
- Updated: 2019-09-09T14:39:49.000Z
- Description: There was a lot for Zach Matthews to like in the Bedford High School football team's season-opening 41-7 win over Windham. But what the first-year Bulldogs coach might have at the top of his list was the performance of senior running back Michael Akstin. In his first game back after a knee injury in
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Bedford, football, NH High School Sports Insider, Windham, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

There was a lot for Zach Matthews to like in the Bedford High School football team's season-opening 41-7 win over Windham.

But what the first-year Bulldogs coach might have at the top of his list was the performance of senior running back Michael Akstin.

In his first game back after a knee injury in the Division I semifinals ended his 2018 season, Akstin carried the ball 22 times for a game-high 118 yards and two touchdowns. Of that total, 61 yards and Bedford's first score of the game came in the first quarter to set the tone for the Bulldogs.

"That kid tore his ACL in the semifinal game last season against Merrimack," Matthews said. "The offseason that kid had, going through surgery and busting his butt to get back on this field for (Friday), I couldn’t be prouder of that kid.

"Coming through weight room sessions and things like that, coming off an ACL is no joke, and to have a night like that, getting those tough yards, I was really proud of him."

Early in the game, Bedford saw something in the Windham defense that allowed the running game to work as well as it did, according to Akstin.

"I think right at the beginning, the linebackers were sitting a lot and there were vertical seams for me to hit," he said. "It was nice yards. Around the second quarter, they noticed we were running up the middle, so they started bringing the backers, and it was hard to adjust to that until after halftime."

After giving up two touchdowns in the first quarter, the Jaguars were able to hold Bedford to just 40 yards of offense and a field goal in the second, despite the Bulldogs starting four of their five possesions of the quarter in Windham territory.

Bedford made some adjustments at halftime, and in the third quarter, they were able to find those openings in the Jagaurs' defense again. Akstin had a 19-yard touchdown run early in the quarter to make it 24-7 and squash any momentum Windham had gained on Riley Desmarais' 58-yard touchdown run just before halftime.

And on the final play of the third, Menderson Elie went through the middle of the Windham defense for a 53-yard touchdown run.

"Some key adjustments, just a couple of tweaks in some blocking schemes," Matthews said. "Some things popped open for us. They’re a very aggressive defensive team.

"They bring a lot of pressure, they put a lot of guys on the line of scrimmage, and we said, they might bottle us up for a bit, but if we can stay with it, stay with your block, we’re going to break a couple of big plays. You saw that happen in the second half."

On the other side of the ball, Bedford dominated the line of scrimmage. Windham had one first down in the first half, and finished with six total, two on Bulldogs' penalties. The Jaguars picked up 130 of their 182 yards on three plays; the other 62 plays picked up an average of 0.8 yards.

"They’re running a lot of triple option and being a triple option team, everybody on our team stressed it’s responsibility football," Matthews said. "We have to trust each other. There’s one guy responsible for the dive, there’s one guy responsible for the quarterback, and somebody else for the pitch. If any one of those guys isn’t doing their responsibility or their eyes get into the backfield, then some bad things can happen. I thought other than that one (touchdown), the kids were being consistent and doing their job."

Bedford is back at it on Friday when it travels to Concord for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Windham returns home on Saturday to host Goffstown for a 10 a.m. start.