Nashua North football hopes to take next step against South

Watching film has become a staple for high school football teams when it comes to preparing for a game.

But sometimes, coaches see things they wish their players could take back.

Such was the case this week when Nashua High School North coach Jason Robie watched the film of the Titans' 13-10 loss to Manchester Central last Friday. The Little Green got the winning points on a 50-yard punt return by Troy Pelletier late in the third quarter, on a play where Robie felt the Titans outkicked their coverage.

"We had him cornered at the 20 and he got out and got to his wall," he said. "We outkicked our coverage. We decided to bring it in and protect and as a result the kid has a good return. If it's a 30-yard punt instead of a 44-yard punt, it’s not a touchdown, at least not yet.

"There were things we could have done better. Hindsight is 20-20 when you watch film. I was pleased with the effort. I think that's something you don't always see in the final score. The effort was definitely there."

While Robie wasn't thrilled with the loss, it was a step in the right direction for North (1-2 in Division I, 2-2 overall). After playing what the coach called one good half of football in a 42-7 loss to Pinkerton, the Titans hung with Central, perhaps a sign that the team's youth is progressing the way it needs to for North to be successful.

"When you're starting six or seven sophomores who were playing freshmen ball a year ago, it's going to take game-type conditions to acclimate you," Robie said. "It's a baptism by fire when you go against the brass early on in our league. They're holding their own playing against good competition."

Robie knows North will be getting more of that again this week against South. The Panthers are coming off a game in which they were held out of the end zone for the first time in almost four years. Even if it wasn't a rivalry game, that would be enough motivation for South.

North has two reasons to want a win this game - last year's 49-0 loss in the regular season, and a 42-0 loss on Thanksgiving.

"They need look no further than what happened last year," Robie said. "We got goose egged in two games and had 40-plus points dropped on us in each. If we need motivation, there’s something wrong with us.

"I'm sure (last week was) an aberration of who they are. Concord had (South) scouted well and saw things they were able to exploit. I'm sure they are making to look a statement. This is a big game for all the kids in the city."

North and South will kickoff at 7 p.m. on Friday at Stellos Stadium.