Goffstown football holds off Exeter to move on to D1 semifinals

GOFFSTOWN - Justin Hufft didn't mince words when he shared his thoughts about Andrew Duval following the Goffstown High School football team's Division I quarterfinal against Exeter on Saturday.

“It is great to have an Andrew Duval on your side” the Grizzlies coach said following their 22-20 victory over the Blue Hawks.

Duval scored two touchdowns, including an interception return for a score that proved to be the difference.

Duval’s exclamation-point plays were not the only highlight of the game, as the contest came down to an Exeter two-point conversion attempt with 44 seconds to go to tie the game. Goffstown (9-1) held on one last time.

The first quarter was scoreless with the only scoring opportunity coming when Goffstown missed 31-yard field goal. But in the first quarter, Duval made his first statement with a 60-yard punt return putting the Grizzlies in great field position for the first field goal attempt.

Exeter was able to open the scoring after a fumble recovery and on a 6-yard TD pass from Cody Morissette to Bobby Cliche.

In unusual form, the passing game was going to be the star for Exeter (7-3) as feature back Brayden Lowery left the game in the second quarter with a broken collarbone. Lowery was able to pile up 112 yards on the ground in his two quarters of action.

Exeter was also able to make a stand, stopping Goffstown from the Blue Hawks' 3-yard on the final play before halftime.

"If I knew how the second half was going to go I would have kicked the field goal," Hufft said of going for the touchdown. "However, we should be able to convert from 3 yards out."

Goffstown received the ball in the second half and was able to drive down the field in four plays, capped off with a 16-yard TD pass from Charles Keith to Duval. After an Exeter three-and-out, Goffstown was able to score less than four minutes later on a pass from Keith to Carter Chouinard. Goffstown missed an extra point bringing the score to 13-7.

Keith’s running from the quarterback position was key on the two drives, as he was able to rack up multiple first downs. He finished the game with 71 rushing yards, 50 in the second half.

Exeter was able to respond less than three minutes later with a long touchdown of its own, on a 49-yard TD pass from Morissette and Adam Gray. This play was especially impressive by Gray who caught the ball between two defenders, escaped from a third, and scored.

On Goffstown’s next drive, the Grizzlies kicked a 26-yard field goal to take a 16-14 lead. After Exeter forced a turnover on downs with nine minutes left in the game the Blue Hawks began putting together a nice drive.

But from midfield, Duval saw a ball get tipped into the air and returned it for a pick 6, giving Goffstown a 22-14 lead after another missed extra point.

"For years Duval has been in the right place at the right time," Hufft said. "This was no exception."

Exeter put together a final drive, with several big catches by Cliche, including a 7-yard TD catch with 44 seconds remaining. This set up a two-point conversion for the tie, but Goffstown was able to make a stand, mirroring Exeter’s stand in the first half.

"They made one more play than us," Exeter coach Bill Ball said. "I am proud of these guys."

Goffstown moves on to face Winnacunnet in the semifinals on Nov. 11.