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# Souhegan trying to regroup after first loss
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/souhegan-trying-to-regroup-after-first-loss/
- Published: 2010-10-08T13:30:15.000Z
- Updated: 2010-10-08T13:30:15.000Z
- Description: The gut response to the Souhegan High School football team’s loss to Manchester Central would be to accept it as something that is supposed to happen. A team from Division I probably should defeat a team from Division III, at least nine times out of 10. But the Sabers aren’t the typical Division III
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division III-IV, Fall Sports, Division III, football, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

The gut response to the Souhegan High School football team’s loss to Manchester Central would be to accept it as something that is supposed to happen.

A team from Division I probably should defeat a team from Division III, at least nine times out of 10.

But the Sabers aren’t the typical Division III program. Since the start of the 2004 season, the first year Souhegan won a division title, the Sabers have lost 11 games, including last week’s defeat, and four of those came in 2006.

Going through a week of practice knowing they lost their last game is rare for the Sabers.

“We didn’t take advantage of the opportunities the defense gave us,” Souhegan coach Mike Beliveau said. “Central did a good job of defending the running game and forced us into being a little less balanced than we like to be.”

Souhegan quarterback Mike Luks completed just 10 passes on the day, too often just missing his receivers down the field. The Sabers also ran for just 51 yards and were just unable to get the offense into gear.

“We just missed on a couple of big plays,” Beliveau said. “It was a combination of things. It just wasn’t our typical strong game.”

Still, the Sabers split their two games against Division I opponents – they also beat Londonderry 34-19 – and in the long run, those games will help.

“They’re teams that certainly have a lot of speed on both sides of the ball and size,” Beliveau said. “They both brought a pretty physical level of play to the field. Our kids took on the challenge and did themselves proud.”

It gets a little easier this week for Souhegan (3-0 division, 4-1 overall), as it returns to Division III play by traveling to face Pembroke (0-4, 0-5) on Saturday for a 3 p.m. start.

The Spartans have struggled this season and have gone three games without scoring a point, getting shutout by Hollis/Brookline, Bedford and Goffstown.

“We’re not looking past anybody,” Beliveau said. “I think that it’s important for us to come out and establish ourselves. Pembroke is certainly a decent football team, but for us right now, we just want to get back to our winning ways.”

One key to a win for Souhegan is to regain that balance on offense. While the Sabers have been able to win games throwing the football, Beliveau would like to avoid relying on one aspect on offense to pull the team through.

And after struggling with penalties a few weeks ago, Souhegan has done a better job of playing clean in recent weeks.

“A couple of weeks ago, we played a pretty clean game,” Beliveau said of a win over Hollis/Brookline on Sept. 24\. “Last week we minimized that as well. I think that’s been a step in the right direction.”

Souhegan and Pembroke will kick off on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Pembroke.