NHHSSports Football Performances of the Week (Sept. 8)
Every week during the football season, on the Ninth State Sports Show podcast, Joe Marchilena and Mike Lochman will each select a Player and a Team of the Week from the previous weekend’s performances.
Every week during the football season, on the Ninth State Sports Show podcast, Joe Marchilena and Mike Lochman will each select a Player and a Team of the Week from the previous weekend’s performances.
You can listen to this week’s podcast by going here.
Here are the selections for Week 1:
Player of the Week
- Mike’s Pick: AJ Bellen, John Stark. The junior had perhaps one of the best final minutes of a football game in state history. After scoring a touchdown with 35.8 seconds remaining to pull the Generals within a point of Trinity, Bellen executed a successful onside kick to get John Stark the ball, and with 10 seconds left, kicked a 51-yard field goal for a 30-28 win.
- Joe’s Pick: Maverick Torres, Merrimack. The senior quarterback opened the year with a near-perfect performance, completing 11 of 12 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, with all three scores coming in the first half of Merrimack's 35-0 win over Goffstown.
Team of the Week
- Mike’s Pick: Salem. The Blue Devils avenged a loss in last year's Division I semifinals by scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half to beat Pinkerton 28-7. Salem put the game away when Eli Maduro, who was injured in that semifinal loss, returned an interception for a touchdown.
- Joe’s Pick: ConVal. The Cougars overcame a late score by St. Thomas to pull out a 33-31 win over the Saints, getting a 42-yard touchdown run from Wetu Selby with two mintues remaining. It was one of five rushing touchdowns for Selby, setting a school record.
Top Performers of 2026
Week 1
- Players: AJ Bellen, John Stark; Maverick Torres, Merrimack.
- Teams: Salem; ConVal.
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