> ## 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.

# Kickoff return to open the game set the tone for Nashua South football
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/kickoff-return-to-open-the-game-set-the-tone-for-nashua-south-football/
- Published: 2019-09-24T11:00:13.000Z
- Updated: 2019-09-24T11:00:13.000Z
- Description: The Nashua High School South football team went into last Friday's game against Keene with a few question marks. At the front of that list was what the Panthers were going to do in order to get their high-scoring offense back in the right gear. The answer to that question came 11 seconds into the g
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, football, Keene, Nashua South, NH High School Sports Insider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

The Nashua High School South football team went into last Friday's game against Keene with a few question marks.

At the front of that list was what the Panthers were going to do in order to get their high-scoring offense back in the right gear.

The answer to that question came 11 seconds into the game and had nothing to do with the offense.

Chris Keefe fielded the opening kickoff at the South 28-yard line, made his way through the Blackbirds' coverage team, and by the time the junior reached midfield, something was developing.

"The pocket just opened up and I just trusted everyone going through," Keefe said. "I followed their backs and kept on running. Right when I hit the 50-yard line, I saw an opening and thought ‘I’ve got this right here.’"

Keefe crossed the goal line for a 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving South its first points since the first half of it season-opener. The Panthers scored two more touchdowns in the first six minutes of the game to lead 19-0 and beat Keene 53-34.

"We’ve been getting out of the gate in every game," South coach Scott Knight said. "Forcing turnovers, special teams plays, things like that, and we just have been able to capitalize. It was nice to have finished a little bit. We rode the momentum a little bit."

It's one thing to say and another to do it, and when Keefe returned to the sideline after his touchdown, he could see something different.

"Coming off the loss (20-0 to Bishop Guertin) last week, that was a huge turning point," he said. "It got everyone’s mood better. We’re all coming into the game knowing we’ve got to score early. I think doing that lifted the spirits of people."

The big focus for South was its running game, and after gaining just 86 yards against the Cardinals the week before, the Panthers exploded for 335 yards rushing, including 249 yards in the first half.

Sophomore Josh Compoh led the way with 155 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries, as South averaged over nine yards per rushing attempt. Tyler Armeen also had two touchdowns an 88 yards on the ground, averaging 17.6 yards per carry.

"We retooled a few things this week and put a lot of time into our running game," Knight said. "We knew we have to be able to run the football, so going in, that was going to be our focus."

South's rushing attack helped it overcome a big game for Keene's Tucker Brown and Clint Maleski.

Brown, the Blackbirds junior quarterback, finished with three rushing touchdowns, but Keene did most of its damage through the air.

Brown was 11 of 25 for 291 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and Maleski caught nine of those passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. Of those receptions, seven of them went for 22 yards or more.

But South led 40-14 at halftime, and although Keene made it a 13-point game in the fourth quarter, the Panthers were able to keep it from getting any closer.

"When you’re in one of those funks, you need something like this," Knight said. "Now we have our confidence back and we can ride this a little bit. We have a lot to work on still."