> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Quick start sends Bedford football past Merrimack, to D1 championship game - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/quick-start-sends-bedford-football-past-merrimack-to-d1-championship-game/ - Published: 2018-11-11T15:40:17.000Z - Updated: 2018-11-11T15:40:17.000Z - Description: BEDFORD – That was fast. The Bedford High School football team came out clicking on all cylinders on Saturday afternoon, as the top-seeded Bulldogs scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives during a 30-8 blowout against visiting No. 2 Merrimack in the semifinals of the Division I tournam - Author: Trevor Wenners - Tags: Division I, Bedford, football, Merrimack, playoffs, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 BEDFORD – That was fast. The Bedford High School football team came out clicking on all cylinders on Saturday afternoon, as the top-seeded Bulldogs scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives during a 30-8 blowout against visiting No. 2 Merrimack in the semifinals of the Division I tournament. The Bulldogs (11-0) will meet Pinkerton (9-2) in the final on Nov. 17, at the University of New Hampshire, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. The Tomahawks (8-3) see their season come to an end after defeating Nashua North, 6-0, in overtime during the quarterfinal round. On Saturday, Bedford senior quarterback Thomas Morgan stole the show, as he went 14 for 23 in the passing game, totaling 177 yards, along with three passing touchdowns and one rushing score. In the first half alone, he was 12 of 15 for 153 yards, as he threw three TDs in just over a quarter of football. “We came out and stuck to our plan,” Morgan said. “Merrimack was a great opponent, but we came out on top.” Bedford’s defense made the first statement, as senior Alexander Pantelakos intercepted Tomahawks junior quarterback James Dowling on a third-and-3 play at Merrimack’s 42 with 10:18 left in the first. The Bulldogs then posted a seven-play scoring drive, which included forcing the Tomahawks into an encroachment penalty on fourth and 1 from the 33. On third and 4, Morgan fired a rocket right into the hands of senior tight end Harrison LeGoullon for a 21-yard touchdown. Senior kicker Madison Lucontoni added the extra point and the hosts led 7-0 with 7:59 showing on the scoreboard. After forcing Merrimack into a three-and-out, the Bulldogs traveled 73 yards for another score, concluding with a 12-yard connection between Morgan and senior Lucien Mumpini. Bedford converted twice on third and long, and a 16-yard hookup between Morgan and Mumpini brought the unit into the red zone at the 17\. Lucontoni once again sent the extra point through the uprights, giving Bedford a 14-0 lead with 1:45 left in the quarter. The Bulldogs’ defense zoned in again and allowed only 1 yard before forcing the Tomahawks to punt again on a three-and-out. With 10:08 remaining in the second, Morgan rifled a pass right down the middle of the field to a streaking Ryan Toscano, who sprinted into the back of the end zone. Lucontoni’s PAT pushed the advantage up to 21-0, which was where the game stood at halftime. “A fast start always helps out,” said Bedford coach Derek Stank. “Our boys came out and they were ready to play. Hats off to Merrimack; it was a heck of a fight. They stepped up and took care of business in a lot of facets of the game. We were lucky enough to respond.” The Tomahawks were not going away in the second half without a fight. The defense came out and threw the first punch, forcing the Bulldogs into a three-and-out. Merrimack took the ball and went 48 yards down field, concluding with a 1-yard TD run up the middle by senior Ben Eichman. The 13-play drive, which ate up five minutes, 55 seconds, featured a fourth-down conversion and a trio of third-down conversions. The Tomahawks cut the deficit to 21-8 on a 2-point conversion hookup between junior Jared Dyer and Eichman. The Tomahawks tallied a crucial three-and-out on Bedford’s ensuing possession, but then the Bulldogs’ defense returned the favor. Bedford put the game in safe hands with 28.3 seconds left in the third, as Morgan accelerated across the goal line from 10 yards out, pushing the lead up to 27-8. Lucontoni ended the scoring with a 27-yard field goal for the hosts with 2:12 left in regulation.