> ## 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. # Monadnock football honors former teammate with win over Campbell - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/monadnock-football-honors-former-teammate-with-win-over-campbell/ - Published: 2025-11-02T15:00:16.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-02T15:00:16.000Z - Description: LITCHFIELD – The Monadnock High School football team’s plan at the beginning of the week was to simply focus on finishing an undefeated regular season against defending Division III champion Campbell. That all changed when real life hit the East Swanzey community with the death of Monadnock senior T - Author: Dan Doyon - Tags: Division III-IV, Campbell, Division III, football, Monadnock, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 LITCHFIELD – The Monadnock High School football team’s plan at the beginning of the week was to simply focus on finishing an undefeated regular season against defending Division III champion Campbell. That all changed when real life hit the East Swanzey community with the death of Monadnock senior Tucker Johns. Johns wasn't on the football team this year, but he was a key player during Monadnock's run towards the semifinals last fall, and he was a beloved friend to many of the Huskies who suited up on Saturday. Monadnock did its best to honor their fallen friend during a 46-12 victory over the Cougars. Coach Ryan Avery was proud of the way his kids handled things all week and delivered in the capacity they did on Saturday. Monadnock (9-0 overall, 8-0 in D3) is the top seed in the playoffs and will host a quarterfinal game next weekend. “They’re very resilient and they just wanted to go play football for Tuck,” Avery said. “I’m just proud of the way they came out and played hard.” Monadnock senior running back Nick Ball was best friends with Johns and he released his emotions after the game. Ball honored Johns by switching from his normal uniform No. 25 to the same No. 9 jersey that Johns wore. He finished with 140 rushing yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. “This week was the hardest week of my life, but this team worked hard and we came to play for Tucker,” Ball said. “It means everything (to wear the jersey). Part of him is here on my body and I know he’s watching me.” Monadnock junior running back Liam Hart led the Huskies with 141 yards on 22 carries with four touchdowns. He added a touchdown defensively with a 40-yard fumble recovery for a score to give Monadnock a 20-0 lead late in the first quarter. “We were all close friends with Tucker and it was a terrible loss this week,” Hart said. “The day it happened we were just all just down and everything. The next day we were in the locker room and we just said we can’t keep our heads down. We’ve got to pick it up for him and we came to practice with a new energy. “We came out (Saturday) for Tucker and everyone played their hearts out for him.” Campbell (6-2) will likely be the No. 3 seed and host a quarterfinal game next Saturday. D3 leading rusher Brody Pinciaro ran for 92 yards and caught a 42-yard touchdown pass for Campbell. Coach Glenn Costello would’ve liked to see his team play better, but his team also grieved with the peers they competed against. The teams gathered in a circle locked arm-and-arm following the game in prayer. “At the end of the day, that school, that community is going through something greater than the sport of football,” Campbell coach Glenn Costello said. “Hopefully this game provided them an opportunity to be normal for a couple of hours. My condolences, and I couldn’t express enough empathy for Coach Avery and his staff for what they are going through right now.” Monadnock’s goal all year was to claim the program’s third championship, and now there is added motivation. Monadnock won a D4 title in 2012 and a D3 crown in 2018. “We’re ready and we worked hard all season,” Ball said. “As many setbacks that’s thrown at us, we’ll bet back up. It’s Monadnock football.”