Summer Notes: Souhegan High School Football

Mike Lochman saw low numbers for the Souhegan High School football team coming.

But just because the Sabers coach knew it was on the horizon doesn't mean he has to like it.

After winning just two games in his first season, Lochman has guided Souhegan to 12 wins in its last 17 games, including the program's first postseason berth last year since 2012. There was some thought that that success might help improve the turnout for this year, but it doesn't appear to have done so.

"It shouldn't have been a surprise, I guess, but hard not to be disappointed," Lochman said. "We graduated 16 guys. We've got a big group of juniors, I think 20. But after that, the classes coming up have been thinner and thinner. We're down probably about eight or nine from last year."

While Souhegan might not have quantity in terms of numbers, Lochman feels the quality of the players in practice will make up for it.

"The guys who we have are solid," he said. "We had the best offseason we've had since I've been here. The kids have been in the weight room since December, really. We had tremendous participation in the summer stuff, whether it was 7-on-7s, or strength and agility stuff. Where we're at is that we have a ton of potential coming into the season."

What the Sabers don't have a lot of is experience, as all of the players who graduated started on at least one side of the ball, and four of them were three-year starters.

"The question will be closing the experience gap," Lochman said. "With those seniors graduating, it's not too dissimilar from when I took over the program. From a potential situation, we're in great shape. We've been honest with them about that. They've done everything physically possible to get ready. It's mentally, can they close the experience gap quickly."

Souhegan will scrimmage at Bedford on Aug. 17 and will participate in the Queen City Jamboree on Aug. 26.