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# Thanks Guy: O'Dell gave Panthers his all
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/thanks-guy-odell-gave-panthers-his-all/
- Published: 2010-11-25T07:00:18.000Z
- Updated: 2010-11-25T07:00:18.000Z
- Description: No one was going to confuse Allen O’Dell for a superstar, but the Nashua High School South senior did have his own cheering section at home football games this season. Every time the Panthers’ defense took the field, a voice cried out above the rest, imploring O’Dell to get the ball.
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Fall Sports, football, Nashua South, Thanks Guy, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

*Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories that will be appearing about the unsung heroes who take the football field every week, the guys who coaches couldn’t get by without. At this time of year, it’s time to say “Thanks Guy.”*

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bc/58/bc5866d0-9fd9-4113-b959-670d6f16471d/content/images/www-nh-highschoolsports-com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/southfball0910-nsodell2.jpg "SouthFball0910 NSODell2")

No one was going to confuse Allen O’Dell for a superstar, but the Nashua High School South senior did have his own cheering section at home football games this season.

Every time the Panthers’ defense took the field, a voice cried out above the rest, imploring O’Dell to get the ball.

The voice belonged to a relative of a teammate, who, according to O’Dell, liked the way he played. O’Dell appreciated that someone took notice.

“The past three years, I haven’t been a superstar or anything, but I train my (butt) off,” he said. “I work really hard with everything I do.”

The fans weren’t the only ones who recognized his hard work. Before the season, O’Dell’s teammates selected him as one of their captains, an honor he thought might be better reserved for other players.

“I thought there were more qualified people who would get it, but it worked out well,” he said with a smile. “I was presented with a captain’s positions and I just filled out the role. That was my expectation, to do well for the team.”

One thing he wanted to make sure didn’t happen this season was a repeat of the year before, both on and off the field.

“It changed completely compared to last year,” O’Dell said. “We looked like a team this year. Offseason, preseason, scrimmages, just everything, we looked really good. It felt like a family.”

After playing in every game a year ago as a junior, O’Dell went through some adversity of his this year. In South’s loss to Londonderry, he suffered a severe ankle sprain that was at first feared to be a break.

The injury ended up costing O’Dell games against Salem, Exeter and Manchester Central. He was able to make it back for the semifinal game against Nashua North.

“I was doing anything I could (to play),” he said. “It killed me. Every play, it hurt real bad. I knew (teammate) Dylan Flesch could step in and pick up the slack.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bc/58/bc5866d0-9fd9-4113-b959-670d6f16471d/content/images/www-nh-highschoolsports-com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/southfball1001-nsfumb1.jpg "SouthFball1001 NSfumb1")

As a defensive end, O’Dell’s job was to find the ball by reading the opponent lined up in front of him, whether that be an offensive tackle or tight end. While the job didn’t require much variation, it was something he relished.

“You don’t have to do a lot, you don’t have to think a lot compared to other jobs,” he said. “It’s a hard-nosed job and I like that. I really like to hit.”

With his season – and high school career – down to its last game, O’Dell will remember the anticipation of this season the most. Although that first game of the year against Portsmouth feels like so long ago, the atmosphere going into that game will stay with him.

“Suiting up the first time, everyone comes together,” O’Dell said. “Some people wandered off during the season and weren’t really a big part of the team. But that first day, everyone came and just the environment.”