Playoff Picture: Division II football

The Division II football playoffs are about to get underway, and it really feels like it's any team's tournament.

Well, any team's tournament to finish second.

There is clear-cut favorite in Windham, a team that not only went undefeated during the regular season, but averaged over 50 points per game and outscored its opponents by 38.4.

But what makes the Division II playoffs a little more intriguing than the Division I tournament is the realm of the unknown. How will Windham handle the teams it hasn't faced, if it does end up facing one?

John Stark would seem the likely choice to be on the opposite side of the field on Nov. 19 at the University of New Hampshire, but the Generals are in unfamiliar territory themselves. This is the first time the program has made the postseason.

Those aren't the only questions that persist. Will Hanover, a big surprise in the division this year, continue it's magical season in the playoffs? Will Plymouth or St. Thomas overcome injuries to find success? Is Lebanon, which played one of the toughest schedules in the division, play bigger than its record?

These questions won't be answered for another two weeks, but it will be a fun ride getting there.

No. 1 Windham

• Record: 9-0.
• Last title: 2014.
• Title game appearances: 2011, 2014, 2015.
• Points scored: 455 (50.6).
• Points allowed: 109 (12.1).
• Record vs. playoff teams: 3-0.

Windham looks poised to make its third championship game in a row this season after demolishing every team that stood in its way. The Jaguars held all but three opponents to seven points or less, and topped 40 points in eight games. The only team to hold Windham under 30 was St. Thomas, in a game that was played in wet and muddy conditions.

No. 2 John Stark

• Record: 8-1.
• Last title: Never.
• Title game appearances: Never.
• Points scored: 340 (37.8.)
• Points allowed: 108 (12.0)
• Record vs. playoff teams: 3-1.

For the first time in program history, the Generals in the playoffs, as they've already set the program record wins in a season. John Stark has gone through some changes in the last couple of weeks, with senior Drew McQuarrie moving from quarterback to tight end - where he's slated to play at Boston College - because of a shoulder injury, while younger brother Parker has stepped in under center. In last week's win over Hanover, the younger McQuarrie threw for over 300 yards.

No. 3 Hanover

• Record: 8-1.
• Last title: 2005.
• Title game appearances: 1973, 1994, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007.
• Points scored: 287 (31.9).
• Points allowed: 131 (14.6).
• Record vs. playoff teams: 1-1.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the division this year, Hanover was one of the more balanced and consistent teams throughout the year. Through the first seven games of the season, the Marauders were averaging almost 37 points per game, scoring in the 30s in six of those contests. But since then, Hanover has scored just 29 combined points in two games.

No. 4 Plymouth

• Record: 7-2.
• Last title: 2013.
• Title game appearances: 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013.
• Points scored: 288 (32.0).
• Points allowed: 125 (13.9).
• Record vs. playoff teams: 1-2.

Plymouth comes into the postseason off a big win over Milford, but the Bobcats are banged up, especially in the offensive backfield. Garrett Macomber has been as good as anyone rushing the football this season, but other guys will have to step up of Plymouth is going to move on in the postseason.

No. 5 St. Thomas

• Record: 7-2.
• Last title: 2015.
• Title game appearances: 1974, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014.
• Points scored: 263 (29.2)
• Points allowed: 127 (14.1)
• Record vs. playoff teams: 1-1.

Like Plymouth, St. Thomas went through a rough stretch with injuries. The only difference is, the Saints have gotten some of the players back, including quarterback Shawn DeKorne. During DeKorne's absence, St. Thomas leaned on Tim Bouchard, and will continue to look for him to make plays.

No. 6 Lebanon

• Record: 6-3.
• Last title: 2010.
• Title game appearances: 2010.
• Points scored: 221 (24.9).
• Points allowed: 247 (27.4).
• Record vs. playoff teams: 2-3.

Lebanon played one of the toughest schedules in the division, as the Raiders played five playoff teams and got into the playoffs by beating two of them - Plymouth and Bow - to end the regular season. The Raiders were outscored 134-35 in their three losses.

No. 7 Bow

• Record: 7-2.
• Last title: 2013.
• Title game appearances: 2004, 2013.
• Points scored: 263 (29.2).
• Points allowed: 101 (11.2).
• Record vs. playoff teams: 1-2.

Bow successfully made the jump from Division III, and did so by running the ball and playing solid defense. The Falcons allowed less than two touchdowns per game and had six games where they held an opponent to under 10 points, including the win over John Stark.

No. 8 Hollis Brookline

• Record: 7-2.
• Last title: Never.
• Title game appearances: Never.
• Points scored: 350 (38.9).
• Points allowed: 185 (20.6).
• Record vs. playoff teams: 0-2.

HB is making its second playoff appearance in three years under Chris Lones and has done saw by throwing the ball all over the field. Quarterback Joey Delaney was one of the top passers in the division this season, but the Cavaliers will have to tighten up the defense against Windham. The Jaguars scored 40 points in an opening-day win over HB.

Quarterfinals: Saturday, Nov. 5

• No. 8 Hollis Brookline at No. 1 Windham, 1:30 p.m.
• No. 5 St. Thomas at No. 4 Plymouth, 1 p.m.
• No. 7 Bow at No. 2 John Stark, 2 p.m.
• No. 6 Lebanon at No. 3 Hanover, 3:30 p.m.

Preseason playoff prediction

Conference winners: Windham, John Stark.

Remaining six: ConVal, Souhegan, Milford, Lebanon, Plymouth, St. Thomas.

Got three teams wrong in the division, with Hanover and Bow getting in out of the North and Hollis Brookline advancing from the South.

Updated playoff prediction

Quarterfinal winners: Windham, John Stark, Lebanon, St. Thomas.

Most likely quarterfinal upset: St. Thomas over Plymouth.

Championship: Windham over John Stark.