Early touchdown changed feel of playoff game for Winnacunnet football

The first time the Winnacunnet and Goffstown high school football teams met this season, it took the Warriors 47 minutes and 48 seconds to find the end zone.

When the teams met a second time, Winnacunnet made sure it wasn't going to be put in the same position again.

After forcing Goffstown to three-and-out, the Warriors went on a 10-play, 66-yard drive that took up almost five minutes of the first quarter and ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Patrick MacDougall. Winnacunnet was able to hold that lead the rest of the way in a 21-6 win in Saturday's Division I semifinals, and the No. 1 Warriors (11-0) will face No. 3 Pinketon (10-1) for the championship.

"It definitely switched the momentum," Winnacunnet junior James Phennicie said. "Last game (against Goffstown), we were behind the whole time and had to catch up. Momentum was on our side the whole time, that really helped."

On the drive, the Warriors were able to establish a running game, although it almost didn't start that way.

MacDougall dropped back to pass on the first play, but Goffstown got pressure and forced the senior quarterback to scramble. With the rest of the Grizzlies in coverage down field, MacDougall was able to pick up 13 yards and a first down near midfield.

Winnacunnet continued to run the ball, averaging 5 yards per carry on the next seven plays, before MacDougall kept the ball, this time on a designed run, and went for 17 yards down to the 1-yard line. He hurried up to the line and quickly called for the snap before plunging into the end zone.

"Pat’s experience showed (Saturday), being a three-year starter," Winnacunnet coach Ron Auffant said. "He made some calls, he audibled, did some things we didn’t call. Some of those sneaks, he saw some stuff and changed it. He has the right to change (plays). He took care of the football."

The Warriors turned the ball over five times when the teams met in the regular season, but had none this time around, while Goffstown gave the ball up three times.

Winnacunnet had 43 yards combined on its next two possessions, and in the second quarter, the Warriors went three-and-out three times, gaining just five yards. But they were able to keep control of field position for most of the half, and forced a fumble on Goffstown's best drive in the first 24 minutes.

"They’re so big and fast off the ball, they do such a good job with their offense, as much as we try to simulate it during the week, it’s just not the same," Goffstown coach Justin Hufft said. "They got us on our heels early on and then we were able to stand tall. I was pleased that we were at least able to rally back a little bit. The field was tilted in their favor all day."

After missing the playoffs in their first four years in Division I, the Warriors are in the title game for the first time since 2012, when they won the Division II championship. Pinkerton is in the title game for the 11th time in the 14 years.