> ## 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.

# Sabers host Clippers again in Division III final
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/sabers-host-clippers-again-in-division-iii-final/
- Published: 2010-11-19T08:53:35.000Z
- Updated: 2010-11-19T08:53:35.000Z
- Description: It’s the most likely of championship games. Or is it? Yes, it will be three Division III title games in a row between the high school football teams from Souhegan and Portsmouth when the two meet on Saturday in Amherst.
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division III-IV, Fall Sports, Division III, football, playoffs, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bc/58/bc5866d0-9fd9-4113-b959-670d6f16471d/content/images/www-nh-highschoolsports-com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mshshsfball1015-s7-4.jpg "MSHSHSfball1015 S7-4")

It’s the most likely of championship games.

Or is it?

Yes, it will be three Division III title games in a row between the high school football teams from Souhegan and Portsmouth when the two meet on Saturday in Amherst.

Souhegan won both games in 2008 and 2009, but unlike the previous two seasons, neither team was necessarily labeled a clear-cut favorite going into this year. Both teams suffered heavy losses to graduation, including offensive stars like DJ Petropulos and Steven Jellison for the Sabers, and Nate Jones and Mike Montville for the Clippers.

Both teams, however, had enough left in the cupboard to get right back to where they were a year ago.

“I didn’t know who would be in the final,” Souhegan coach Mike Beliveau said. “Division III in the preseason looked to be more competitive and balanced. I thought one way or another, there would be a different configuration in the final.”

In many ways, the division was more competitive, with six teams having a shot at the postseason. Determining the final playoff spot even went right down to the last week of the season.

Still, Souhegan (10-1 overall) went 8-0 in the division and Portsmouth (7-3 overall) was 6-2 and in second.

For the Sabers, the roots of success were implanted in Week 1 against Londonderry, in a game that didn’t count in the final standings. Souhegan trailed 19-0 in the second half, on the road, to a Division I team, but rallied for a 34-19 win.

“Coming back gave the team a belief that it could accomplish anything,” Beliveau said. “It was a meaningful game for us because we were on the road against a Division I opponent. It told us there is no quit in this team.”

The Sabers and Clippers played the week after that, in Portsmouth, with Souhegan taking a 23-14 win. In that game, Portsmouth shutdown the Souhegan running game to the point that quarterback Mike Luks set multiple single-game passing records for the Sabers.

Also in that game, Portsmouth quarterback Quinn McCann was taken out of the lineup at halftime, the only time this season that’s happened without an injury being the reason.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bc/58/bc5866d0-9fd9-4113-b959-670d6f16471d/content/images/www-nh-highschoolsports-com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/southfball0904-phsmccann.jpg "SouthFball0904 PHSMcCann")

“Defensively what they’ve done all year is stop the run and that’s a big thing,” Beliveau said. “We’ve been able to run on them the last few years, but we weren’t in the last game. I hope we’ve improved enough to have a balanced attack.”

Portsmouth’s defense held Milford to just 67 yards rushing on 37 carries in last week’s 51-3 semifinal victory over the Spartans.

As for McCann, he’s settled in nicely. The senior threw for four touchdowns a week ago, including two to his favorite target, Aidan O’Leary.

“They have found tremendous confidence and rhythm in the passing game,” Beliveau said. “McCann has three receivers he’s been clicking with in O’Leary, Billy Lane and Christian DiCesare. The move their offensive pieces around and don’t lock them into one spot.”

The Souhegan defense suffered a big blow in last week’s semifinal win over Hollis/Brookline, as nose guard Ryan Bullard was lost for the season with a broken leg. Beliveau is hopeful that linebacker Eric Dwinell will be able to bounce back from a nagging injury.

Although Souhegan has achieved a lot of its success this season because of the athletic ability it returned to the field, Beliveau thinks there might be some other element driving his players this season.

““They don’t want to be the class that doesn’t keep the streak going,” he said. “That’s what happens at Plymouth and Bishop Guertin and Pinkerton and Exeter. They feel like some had said they’re not as good and have taken that as a challenge. It’s going to be very difficult (on Saturday).”

Souhegan and Portsmouth will kickoff at 1 p.m. Saturday in Amherst.