> ## 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.

# Football Rewind: Week 8
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/football-rewind-week-8/
- Published: 2010-10-25T05:44:03.000Z
- Updated: 2010-10-25T05:44:03.000Z
- Description: The NHIAA considers its games an extension of the classroom, and Nashua High School South football coach Scott Knight believes his team learns something every single game. A week ago, against Londonderry, the Panthers learned that they can't just show up and expect to win games. "We learned a valuab
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Division II, Division III-IV, Fall Sports, Alvirne, Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Brookline, Division III, football, Hollis, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua North, Nashua South, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bc/58/bc5866d0-9fd9-4113-b959-670d6f16471d/content/images/www-nh-highschoolsports-com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/southfball1022-ns59-1.jpg "SouthFball1022 NS59-1")

The NHIAA considers its games an extension of the classroom, and Nashua High School South football coach Scott Knight believes his team learns something every single game.

A week ago, against Londonderry, the Panthers learned that they can't just show up and expect to win games.

"We learned a valuable lesson last week," Knight said after Friday's game against Salem. "Mentally, we were not ready to play in the first half. This field is our classroom. We learn something new about ourselves and our teammates and everything else. Last week was a valuable lesson, just like every other game we play."

This week, against the Blue Devils, South learned its capable of playing a sloppy game and still win versus a tough opponent. The Panthers surrendered over 400 yards rushing and turned the ball over four times, but overcame both those things and a 10-point deficit with just under seven minutes left in the game to win 38-34.

What helped South (4-2 in Division I, 5-3 overall) was its defense, which is hard to believe for a team that gave up as many big plays as it did. Salem had 19 plays that went for 10 yards or more.

While three of those plays were for touchdowns of 36 yards or more, 11 of them were gains between 10 and 19 yards where the Panthers defensive backs and linebackers were able to take down Salem's backs and receivers before they turned a big play into an even bigger one.

"We have a lot of team speed," Knight said. "Overall, we don’t have the fastest guy. They have two kids who are faster. When our defense is running, they’re pretty good."

South finishes up the season with games at Exeter (0-6, 1-7) and home to Manchester Central (4-2, 6-2).

### Nashua North 33, Manchester Memorial 14

Four different players [scored touchdowns for North](http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/sportshighschoolsports/888211-221/north-goes-deep-to-beat-memorial.html?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com), including two in the second half by Jahmar Gathright to put the game away. Andre Williams ran for 145 yards and a touchdown while Brandon Karkhanis threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns and the North defense limited Memorial to 39 yards on the ground. The Titans (5-2 in Division I, 5-3 overall) led 20-0 at halftime, as Anton Marinchik (45-yard reception) and Eric Muite (60-yard reception) also caught touchdown pass for North.

North goes outside Division I to take on Merrimack on the road before finishing the regular season with a home date against Exeter.

**Division I playoff picture:** With Memorial's loss, the Crusaders chances at a playoff spot all but evaporated. That means that four teams - Exeter (0-6), Concord (2-5), Londonderry (2-4) and Memorial (2-4) - will likely be on the outside of the playoffs, leading five teams - Pinkerton (5-1), North (5-2), South (4-2) Manchester Central (4-2) and Salem (4-2) - fighting for four postseason spots.

Which four teams get in will likely come down to tiebreakers, and if there is more than one team tied, it could come down to records against each other. Central still has to play both Pinkerton and South to finish out the regular season, giving the Little Green what looks like the toughest road to the postseason. This is where South's loss to Londonderry could prove costly. A misstep by the Panthers against Exeter or Central - especially if the Little Green beat Pinkerton - could leave South on the outside of the playoff picture.

Our best guess? Central loses both games to finish out of the playoffs, making it Pinkerton, South, Salem and North in that order.

### Bishop Guertin 28, Winnacunnet 14

Bishop Guertin finds itself in a familiar spot after [handing Winnacunnet its second straight loss](http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20101023-SPORTS-10230341?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com). The Cardinals (5-1 in Division II, 6-2 overall) are tied with Keene for first place in the division with two games remaining. Against the Warriors, Bishop Guertin got behind early, but tied the game in the second quarter on a 42-yard touchdown run by Alex Eaton. Winnacunnet returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals answered right back with a return of their own, as CJ Boykin to the kickoff 92 yards for another score. Steve Cuipa and Eaton both scored in the second half to ice the victory for Bishop Guertin.

The Cardinals head to Alvirne before finishing off the regular season against Keene on Nov. 6 at Stellos Stadium.

### Merrimack 49, Manchester West 6

Jackson King [continued his scoring prowess](http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/sportshighschoolsports/889263-221/king-leads-hawks-past-west.html?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com), finding the end zone four times in Merrimack's homecoming win on Saturday. King, who scored six times last week against Spaulding, had two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter before returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown in the second - his second pick-six in as many games. The junior added a touchdown reception from Zach Harris in the second half to complete his day. King had 107 yards rushing on seven carries, while Brody Williams (59 rushing yards), Chris Smith (21) and Jake Roy (47) each had a rushing touchdown.

Merrimack (4-3 in Division II, 5-3 overall) steps out of the division to host Nashua North on Friday before ending the regular season at Winnacunnet.

### Alvirne 28, Spaulding 21

Jonathan Baldwin [scored in the closing seconds](http://www.lowellsun.com/football/ci%5F16415427?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com) to [lift Alvirne](http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/sportshighschoolsports/888236-221/baldwin-busts-loose-in-broncos-final-drive.html?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com) to its first Division II win of the season. Baldwin finished with 65 yards rushing, while Jesse Horne led the way with 133 yards and a touchdown and Sean Sipsey added 115 yards and a score. Quarterback Pat Reidy returned to the lineup and also had a rushing touchdown for the Broncos (1-5 in Division II, 2-6 overall). The teams were tied at 7 at halftime, tied at 14 going into the third quarter and tied at 21 when Baldwin scored.

Alvirne plays its last two games of the season at home, starting this Friday against Bishop Guertin before ending the year with Manchester West.

**Division II playoff picture:** Bishop Guertin (5-1) and Keene (5-1) are in the driver's seats for home playoff games, and their meeting in the regular-season finale on Nov. 6 at Stellos Stadium could be for first place in the division. The only teams that have been eliminated are Alvirne (1-5), West (1-5) and Spaulding (0-7). Dover (4-2), Timberlane (4-2) and Winnacunnet (4-2) are tied for third, while Merrimack (4-3) still has a shot, but needs some help.

BG and Keene both have a loss to Dover. Winnacunnet has a win over Dover, but loses to BG and Timberlane. Dover also lost to Merrimack and still has to play Timberlane. Keene ends the season with games against Winnacunnet and BG. In other words, nothing is going to be decided until the games are all done.

If the Cardinals win out, they'll take the top seed. Dover and Timberlane both have a game against non-playoff teams (West and Spaulding, respectively). And even if Winnacunnet splits its last two games, the team that several people had ranked as the best team in the state, could miss the playoffs.

Merrimack has one division game left, against the Warriors on Nov. 5\. To get in, it would need to win that game, have Winnacunnet lose to Keene, have Keene lose to BG and have Dover lose to Timberlane. That would leave Merrimack tied with Dover at 5-3 for fourth place and the Tomahawks would get in based on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Our best guess? BG wins out to get the No. 1 spot, as does Winnacunnet and Dover to get the second and third seeds. Keene and Timberlane tied for fourth, which Keene winning the head-to-head tiebreaker for the fourth spot.

### Souhegan 42, Con-Val 20

Mike Luks [had another big game for Souhegan](http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/sportshighschoolsports/888226-221/souhegan-downs-con-val-42-21.html?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com), throwing for 193 yards and four touchdowns to keep the Sabers (6-0 in Division III, 7-1 overall) undefeated in league play. Luks twice found Brendan McKenna, who five catches for 77 yards, for touchdowns and Nick Hession and Matt Schagrin also caught touchdown passes for Souhegan. Chris Chininis added a 93-yard kickoff return for a score in the second quarter and Robby McCormick scored on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter. The Sabers had just 95 yards rushing on 18 carries, compared to Con-Val's 212 yards on 51 attempts.

Souhegan is at home for its final two games, hosting Pelham this Friday before finishing out the regular season with Bedford, which was on a bye this week.

### Milford 14, Goffstown 7

Milford continued a trend of alternating wins and loses all season by beating Goffstown on Saturday. The Spartans (4-2 in Division III, 4-4 overall) [got 178 yards rushing from Max Goudreau](http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/sportshighschoolsports/889261-221/goudreau-pounds-spartans-to-victory.html?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com), who was carrying more of the load with John Forte out of the lineup. Milford got its 14 points off a touchdown by Goudreau, a two-point conversion pass from Devan Smithe to Matt Scott and two field goals by Mark Hamilton. Goffstown scored late in the third to cut it to a one-possession game, but the Grizzlies couldn't get any closer. Kyle Higgins had an interception and Connor St. Gelias recovered two fumbles to lead the defense.

Milford returns home to host Hollis/Brookline this Friday before ending the regular season at Pelham.

### Portsmouth 40, Hollis/Brookline 14

Portsmouth [scored 21 points in the fourth quarter](http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20101023-SPORTS-10230340?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com) to blow open a close game and snap H/B's three-game win streak. It was 19-14 Clippers in the third quarter when the Cavaliers were stopped on fourth down at the Portsmouth 13-yard line. The Clippers answered with an 87-yard drive that ended in a touchdown. H/B (4-2 in Division III, 4-3 overall) scored its two touchdowns on a 1-yard run by Taylor Landry and on a 30-yard pass play from Kyle Gervais to Mitch Frick. The extra point on Frick's score game the Cavs a 14-13 lead for about four minutes in the third quarter.

H/B travels to Milford this Friday and will host Goffstown to end the regular season. Portsmouth travels to Bedford this Friday.

Division III playoff picture: Souhegan pretty much has the No. 1 seed wrapped up. The only way the Sabers could lose it is by dropping its final two games, and Bedford wins its final two, so they both finish at 6-2 in the division. With Souhegan playing winless Pelham this Friday, that's not likely.

Speaking of Pelham (0-6), the Pythons are joined by Pembroke (2-5) and Con-Val (1-6) out of the playoff picture. Goffstown (3-3) isn't quite there yet, but the Grizzlies need a lot of help.

Portsmouth (4-2), Milford (4-2), Bedford (4-2) and H/B (4-2) will fill out the final three playoff spots, and which three will be determined in the next two weeks, as all four of those teams plays at least one of the others.

Our best guess? Souhegan goes undefeated in the division to get the No. 1 seed. Portsmouth and Milford win out, with the Clippers winning the head-to-head tiebreaker for the second seed, while H/B splits its final two games to earn its first postseason appearance.