Playoff Picture: Football (Oct. 10)

Results from last weekend's games provided a much clearer picture of what the playoffs might look like, but there are a few more matchups on this week's schedule that will be just as important.

Here is where every team and every division stands after last weekend’s games.

Note: Standings based off results reported to NHIAA.org and other media outlets. These are not official standings or pairings.

Division I

In 2023, the top team in each conference, determined by football rating, will receive the top three seeds and get a first-round bye. The remaining 10 playoff spots will be determined by football rating and seeded 4-13.

Central Conference

Team (division record, rating)

• *Pinkerton (6-0, 14.0000)
• *Salem (5-0, 13.2000)
• *Londonderry (4-1, 10.8000)
• *Alvirne (2-3, 5.2000)
• Manchester Central (2-4, 3.6667)
• Concord (1-4, 2.8000)
• Windham (1-4, 2.8000)

East Conference

Team (division record, rating)

• *Portsmouth-Oyster River (5-0, 14.0000)
• *Exeter (4-1, 10.8000)
• *Dover (3-2, 7.2000)
• *Timberlane (2-3, 4.8000)
• Spaulding (1-4, 2.8000)
• Manchester Memorial (1-4, 2.4000)
• Winnacunnet (1-4, 2.4000)

West Conference

Team (division record, rating)

• *Bedford (6-0, 14.0000)
• *Keene (3-2, 7.2000)
• *Nashua North (3-3, 6.3333)
• *Bishop Guertin (2-3, 5.6000)
• *Merrimack (2-3, 4.8000)
• Goffstown (1-5, 1.6667)
• Nashua South (0-5, 0.0000)

Tiebreakers

• In a three-way tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed, Portsmouth-Oyster River finishes ahead of Bedford and Pinkerton thanks to a better football rating against tournament teams. Bedford finishes second, also thanks to a better football rating against tournament teams.
• Exeter wins the tiebreaker with Londonderry thanks to a better football rating against tournament teams.
• Keene wins the tiebreaker with Dover thanks to a better football rating against tournament teams.
• Timberlane wins the tiebreaker with Merrimack thanks to a better football rating in road games against divisional opponents.

First-round byes (changes in bold)

• No. 1 Portsmouth-Oyster River
• No. 2 Bedford
• No. 3 Pinkerton

First-round matchups

• No. 9 Nashua North at No. 8 Dover
• No. 12 Timberlane at No. 5 Exeter
• No. 13 Merrimack at No. 4 Salem
• No. 10 Bishop Guertin at No. 7 Keene
• No. 11 Alvirne at No. 6 Londonderry

Division II

The top seed in each conference, determined by football rating, will receive the top two seeds. The remaining six playoff spots will be determined by football rating and seeded 3-8.

East Conference

Team (division record, rating)

• *Plymouth (5-1, 11.6667)
• *Sanborn (4-2, 10.0000)
• *Kennett (4-2, 9.6667)
• *St. Thomas (4-2, 9.6667)
• Bow (3-3, 7.6667)
• Laconia (2-3, 5.6000)
• Gilford-Belmont (2-4, 5.0000)
• Merrimack Valley (2-4, 4.3333)
• Pembroke (1-5, 2.0000)

West Conference

Team (division record, rating)

• *Souhegan (5-0, 14.4000)
• *Pelham (5-0, 14.0000)
• *John Stark (5-1, 10.3333)
• *Hanover (3-2, 7.2000)
• Milford (2-4, 3.3333)
• Hillsboro-Deering/Hopkinton (1-5, 1.6667)
• Hollis Brookline (0-5, 0.0000)
• Manchester West (0-5, 0.0000)

Tiebreaker

• Kennett wins the tiebreaker with St. Thomas thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Quarterfinal Matchups (changes in bold)

• No. 8 Hanover at No. 1 Souhegan
• No. 5 Sanborn at No. 4 John Stark
• No. 7 St. Thomas at No. 2 Plymouth
• No. 6 Kennett at No. 3 Pelham

Division III

The top four teams in the division, determined by football rating, will make the playoffs and be seeded 1-4.

Note: Kearsarge has forfeited the remainder of its varsity games for the 2023 season. Records and ratings reflect those wins for the rest of the division. 

Team (record, rating)

1. *Campbell (7-0, 15.1429)
2. *Trinity (5-1, 12.3333)
3. *Fall Mountain (5-1, 11.3333)
4. *Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough (4-2, 9.0000)
5. ConVal (3-3, 6.6667)
6. Monadnock (3-4, 6.2857)
7. Kingswood (2-4, 4.3333)
8. Stevens (2-4, 4.0000)
9. Epping-Newmarket (2-5, 3.4286)
10. Kearsarge (0-9, 0.0000)

Semifinal Matchups (changes in bold)

• No. 4 Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough at No. 1 Campbell
• No. 3 Fall Mountain at No. 2 Trinity

Division IV

The top four teams in the division, determined by football rating, will make the playoffs and be seeded 1-4.

Team (record, rating, previous)

1. *Newport (5-0, 12.8000)
2. *Somersworth (3-1, 11.5000)
3. *Raymond (4-1, 10.8000)
4. *Franklin (3-2, 6.8000)
5. Bishop Brady (2-3, 4.4000)
6. Mascoma Valley (1-4, 2.8000)
7. Winnisquam (1-4, 2.0000)
8. Newfound (0-4, 0.0000)

Semifinal Matchups (changes in bold)

• No. 4 Franklin at No. 1 Newport
• No. 3 Raymond at No. 2 Somersworth