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# Playoff Picture: Division I football
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/playoff-picture-division-football-5/
- Published: 2016-10-20T18:52:09.000Z
- Updated: 2016-10-20T18:52:09.000Z
- Description: The Merrimack High School football team snapped one streak last week, and the Tomahawks will be looking to end an even longer one this week. Merrimack's win over Pinkerton clinched the program's first playoff berth since the 2005 season, but this week, it will be trying to get its first win over Tim
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, football, playoff picture, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

The Merrimack High School football team snapped one streak last week, and the Tomahawks will be looking to end an even longer one this week.

Merrimack's win over Pinkerton clinched the program's first playoff berth since the 2005 season, but this week, it will be trying to get its first win over Timberlane since 2004.

The Tomahawks have lost 10 straight games to the Owls, including that 2005 season, when Merrimack's only division losses were to Exeter and Bishop Guertin - who play in the Division II championship game - and to Timberlane.

A lot of times, the games haven't been close, and in fact, the only time that its been a one-possession game was Timberlane's 17-14 win in 2004.

Things are a little different this year, with Merrimack on a six-game winning streak since losing its opener, and Timberlane on a six-game losing skid since winning its opener.

It's one of two potential trap games this weekend, as Dover will host Winnacunnet, also on Friday. A win for the Green Wave likely wraps up a playoff spot, but a loss would open the door for other teams, especially if Nashua South beats Portsmouth. The Green Wave and the Panthers play on Oct. 29.

Here’s a look at how Division I would look if the playoffs started this week.

## East/West Cluster

### East Conference

1. x-Exeter (6-1), 13.71
2. x-Dover (5-2), 10.57
3. Portsmouth (4-3), 8.86
4. Winnacunnet (2-5), 3.14
5. Spaulding (0-7), 0.00

### West Conference

1. x-Bishop Guertin (6-1), 12.86
2. x-Nashua North (5-2), 10.86
3. Nashua South (4-3), 6.86
4. Keene (2-5), 4.57
5. Alvirne (1-6), 1.43

**Playoff teams:** Bishop Guertin, Dover, Exeter, Nashua North.

**In the hunt:** Portsmouth, Nashua South.

**Quarterfinals:** No. 4 Nashua North at No. 1 Exeter; No. 3 Dover at No. 2 Bishop Guertin.

**The field:** Exeter is back in the top spot and would wrapup the No. 1 seed with a win over Bishop Guertin, which is the only team in the cluster to have clinched a playoff spot. Dover gets the third seed because of its head-to-head win over Nashua North. The loser of Nashua South-Portsmouth is eliminated from the postseason.

**Games to watch this week:** Nashua South at Portsmouth, Friday, 7 p.m.; Bishop Guertin at Exeter, Friday, 7 p.m.; Winnacunnet at Dover, Friday, 7 p.m.

## North/South Cluster

### North Conference

1. x-Bedford (7-0), 15.71
2. x-Goffstown (6-1), 11.43
3. Manchester Central (3-4), 4.86
4. Concord (2-5), 3.14
5. Manchester Memorial (0-7), 0.00

### South Conference

1. x-Merrimack (6-1), 12.86
2. x-Salem (6-1), 11.43
3. Pinkerton (3-4), 5.43
4. Londonderry (1-6), 1.71
5. Timberlane (1-6), 1.43

**Playoff teams:** Bedford, Goffstown, Merrimack, Salem.

**Quarterfinal matchups:** No. 4 Goffstown at No. 1 Bedford; No. 3 Salem at No. 2 Merrimack.

**The field:** The four teams have been determined. The order still needs to be decided, although Bedford could clinch the top seed with a win over Concord and a Salem loss to Goffstown.

**Games to watch this week:** Concord at Bedford, Friday, 7 p.m.; Merrimack at Timberlane, Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Salem at Goffstown, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.