> ## 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.

# Run defense key for Nashua South football in win over Bishop Guertin
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/run-defense-key-for-nashua-south-football-in-win-over-bishop-guertin/
- Published: 2018-09-10T15:39:30.000Z
- Updated: 2018-09-10T15:39:30.000Z
- Description: The strength of the Nashua High School South run defense starts at the second level, and when the Panthers' linebackers are at their best is when they're able to run downhill. After some early adjustments Friday night, South was able to do just that, and the defense's ability to shut down Bishop Gue
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Bishop Guertin, football, Nashua South, NH High School Sports Insider, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

The strength of the Nashua High School South run defense starts at the second level, and when the Panthers' linebackers are at their best is when they're able to run downhill.

After some early adjustments Friday night, South was able to do just that, and the defense's ability to shut down Bishop Guertin's rushing attack was key in the Panthers' 33-8 victory at Stellos Stadium.

South (1-1) held Bishop Guertin to just 23 yards on 20 carries, and average of 1.2 yards per attempt, but that number dropped as the game continued. The Cardinals (0-2) had 24 yards rushing on eight carries on their first two possessions, but had minus-1 yard on 12 attempts on the final six drives.

"We’ve got some dudes who play downhill at linebacker," South coach Scott Knight said. "It starts with the two inside backers, with JJ Arnesen and Jaylan Pacheco. They play downhill. Then you have (Jason) Compoh coming off the edge, and he’s only a sophomore. He’s a heck of a player. The other side you have (Brendon) Frost and Kyle O’Connor. Our linebackers are the core of our defense."

South was able to overcome losing the turnover battle, 3-1, thanks to the ability to stop Bishop Guertin overall, allowing just 114 yards, including just 41 in the second half. The Cardinals only points of the game came on an 80-yard kickoff return by Joey Lupo, and the successful two-point conversion that followed.

Bishop Guertin's first two running plays picked up a total of 14 yards, but a switch in alignment, back to what the Panthers normally do, helped contain the Cardinals after that.

"We started off on stack and they ran a couple good plays on us," Pacheco said. "We switched into our base defense and our line was doing well. We like to play downhill defense and we all got to our gaps really well, and they didn’t have much to work off."

The more success the Panthers had, the more confidence they gained.

"That’s the greatest thing to feel, when a team knows it can’t run on you," the senior said. "You don’t have to say anything, knowing that you’re overpowering a team, to the point you know they can’t run on you and they know they can’t."

Pacheco also helped lead a big night for South's own rushing attack, as he ran for 73 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. As a team, the Panthers ran for 204 yards on 42 carries, an average of 4.9 yards an attempt, and four touchdowns, with Frost scoring the other one to go with 41 yards on five carries.

"He runs like a madman, he runs hard," Knight said of Frost. "We’re going to need guys to contribute. I thought Frost, having that second half like he did, helped Jaylen. (Tanner) Plourde had a couple of nice runs, and even when we put (Joseph) Buturla in at tailback, he had a couple of them."

Plourde also came up big defensively from his secondary position, according to Knight.

"Tanner Plourde is a three-year starter at free (safety)," the coach said. "He’s the quarterback of our defense and he holds it together. We thought we’d have a solid defense. I’m hoping moving forward that we can play like that."

South travels to Keene (1-1) on Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.