Football rewind: Week 7

The Milford High School football team had already been canceled on twice this season.

So when Souhegan decided to play Friday night despite a forecast of less than ideal conditions, the Spartans were relieved. A team that runs the ball more often than not, Milford was put on hold by two teams - Manchester Memorial and Portsmouth - who run spread offenses and play on turf fields.

Souhegan also runs the spread and plays on grass - which held up nicely Friday night - and the Sabers take pride in how they play in the muck.

"There was something that was said just before the game to us that fired our boys up a little bit," Souhegan coach Mike Beliveau said. "They didn’t expect us to play in the rain. I like those guys, but it fired our boys up."

No one more than quarterback Mike Luks, who somehow managed to complete 67 percent of his passes on the night for 192 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Sabers to a 41-7 victory in Division III.

"Obviously, we knew they were going to throw it well regardless of the weather," Milford coach Keith Jones said.

Souhegan led at halftime 14-7, and pushed the lead to 20-7 on its first drive of the second half. Milford had two opportunities to cut into the lead in the third quarter, but the Spartans fumbled inside the Sabers' 20, and after the defense held, they turned the ball over on downs at Souhegan's 16.

"That was a huge one," Jones said. "If you make mistakes, you have to be able to overcome them and I don’t think we did. We didn’t overcome it."

Both teams go on the road this week, with Souhegan heading Con-Val on Friday and Milford traveling to Goffstown on Saturday.

So what did we learn? Again, despite the lopsided final score, the game was much closer. Maybe on another night, Milford keeps it closer. But what the Spartans really have to worry about now is bouncing back and getting into the playoffs, as the loss puts them at the bottom of the logjam in Division III. Souhegan sits at the top at 5-0 and Hollis/Brookline is second at 4-1, ahead of Bedford at 4-2. Then there's a three-way tie for fourth between Goffstown, Portsmouth and Milford at 3-2. This weekend should sort some of it out, as not only do Milford and Goffstown play, but Portsmouth will also host Hollis/Brookline.

Bishop Guertin 55, Manchester West 0

There were two important things that happened for Bishop Guertin on Saturday night - the Cardinals regained a bit of confidence and no one else got hurt for BG. Both of those were big for the Cardinals (4-1 in Division II) as they prepare to face Winnacunnet (4-1) this week.

"We were ready to play tonight," Bishop Guertin coach Tony Johnson said. "We will be ready to play next Friday, too, there’s no doubt about that."

While that game looked like it could be a preview of the division championship game, its possible - however unlikely - that the loser could end up not making the playoffs.

The top four teams - including Keene and Timberlane - in Division II are all 4-1, with Dover a half-game behind at 4-2 and Merrimack in sixth at 3-3. While the Cardinals are playing Winnacunnet, Timberlane and Keene will be doing battle, meaning the losers of both games will be tied with Dover, which is playing a non-league game, for third place.

So what did we learn? Not much, other than the names of a few freshmen and sophomores on the Bishop Guertin roster, as the Cardinals had 14 different players record a rushing attempt against West.

Londonderry 54, Nashua South 48 2OTs

Going in, South coach Scott Knight thought his team was experienced enough to not look past Londonderry. But after the Panthers fell behind 41-13 at halftime, it's hard not to say that they did. Somehow South managed to rally in the second half, outscoring Londonderry 28-0 to force overtime. Both teams scored a touchdown in the first OT, but only the Lancers found the end zone in the second. Derek Paradis ran for 146 yards and scored three touchdowns while Keith Farkas 125 yards and a touchdown rushing. Armond McRae also scored three touchdowns.

The Panthers will host Salem on Friday at Stellos Stadium.

So what did we learn? Even a savvy, veteran group like the Panthers (3-2 in Division I, 4-3 overall) isn't immune to a trap game. What's surprising is that after two weeks of stellar defensive play, South allowed Londonderry to score more than double its previous season-high. Although the Panthers are still in the driver's seat for a playoff spot, a loss to a team that was 1-4 in the division doesn't help.

Nashua North 41, Concord 27

While one Nashua defense was being shredded, another was regrouping. After giving up 105 points in two weeks, Nashua North's first-team defense didn't allow any against Concord. The Crimson Tide's first-quarter touchdown came on an interception return and Concord's final three scores came in the fourth quarter. North got a big game from Andre Williams, who had 181 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Brandon Karkhanis also threw for 146 yards and two touchdowns while Jahmar Gathright also scored twice.

North will head to Manchester Memorial on Friday.

So what did we learn? The Titans can still play some defense, which had come into question in the last few weeks. With division games against Memorial (2-3 in Division I) and Exeter (0-5) sandwiched around a non-league game against Merrimack, North is still in a good position to make the postseason, and with a little help, host a playoff game.

Hollis/Brookline 9, Bedford 0

If the season ended today, Hollis/Brookline would not only be in the playoffs for the first time, but the Cavaliers would be hosting Bedford. Both teams stepped up the defense on Friday, as H/B had 184 yards of offense and the Bulldogs had 127. For the Cavs (4-1), it was their second shutout of the season; for the Bulldogs (4-2) they've scored just seven points the last two weeks after averaging 32 through their first four game in the division.

Bedford is off this week while H/B heads to Portsmouth (3-2), which is coming off a surprise loss to Goffstown.

So what did we learn? Perhaps H/B is the real deal this season, and maybe Bedford is still  a bit young. Both teams will learn more about their playoff chances in the next few weeks, as they face some tall tests. Bedford finishes out the regular season against Portsmouth and Souhegan, while H/B travels to Portsmouth and Milford before hosting Goffstown to end the year.

Merrimack 47, Spaulding 6

Merrimack ended its three-game losing streak behind a performance for the ages by Jackson King, who was the offensive star for the Tomahawks. King score six touchdowns - three rushing, two receiving and one on a 25-yard interception return. King also had 143 yards rushing and quarterback Zach Harris added 71 yards passing and two scores.

Merrimack returns home on Friday to take on Manchester West.

So what did we learn? Merrimack (3-3) is still very much alive in the Division II playoff race, although the Tomahawks are going to need a lot of help, not to mention wins over West and Winnacunnet to finish out the regular season.

Alvirne 14, Pelham 12

Sean Sipsey made his presence felt with both touchdowns as Alvirne finally got one in the win-column. Sipsey had a 76-yard scoring run on the Broncos' first play from scrimmage and added a 6-yard scoring run later in the first quarter to give Alvirne a 14-0 lead. Pelham fought back but couldn't convert the game-tying conversion.

The Broncos look to make it two in a row when they travel to Spaulding this week.

So what did we learn? With out its seniors, the Broncos are a different team than the one that lost the last two weeks. Hopefully, Sipsey and Jon Baldwin can stay on the field to keep things rolling for Alvirne.