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# Tomahawks see bittersweet season come to an end
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/tomahawks-see-bittersweet-season-come-to-an-end/
- Published: 2010-11-11T07:48:45.000Z
- Updated: 2010-11-11T07:48:45.000Z
- Description: When Joe Battista took over the Merrimack High School football program three seasons ago, he had a feeling this might be the year the Tomahawks started to rise. That season, the junior varsity team, led by the sophomore class, finished 8-2. Success at the sub-varsity levels doesn’t always translate
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, Fall Sports, football, Merrimack, #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/alvmerrfball0917-a32m32-2.jpg "AlvMerrFball0917 A32M32-2")

When Joe Battista took over the Merrimack High School football program three seasons ago, he had a feeling this might be the year the Tomahawks started to rise.

That season, the junior varsity team, led by the sophomore class, finished 8-2\. Success at the sub-varsity levels doesn’t always translate with the big club, but there was something else about that group that had Battista hopeful for the 2010 season.

“I knew we had a lot of athletic ability in that class,” he said. “I knew they had a great attitude and they bought in to what we were doing right away. I knew through their hard work, that they were going to be a good group.”

That group bought into the system the coaching staff put into place on the field, and the workout regimen that was installed off it. Attendance in the weight room both during the season and in the off-season increased to the point that several opposing coaches spoke glowingly of Merrimack’s physical prowess this season.

“I think we earned a little respect,” Battista said. “There were no regrets from anybody after we walked off that field (last Friday at Winnacunnet). It’s difficult knowing that we were so close (to the playoffs). We were happy with the overall outcome, but it’s tough not being in the tournament.”

The coaching staff expected big things from certain seniors, like linemen Jimmy Bigwood and Tyler Baulier, running backs Chris Smith and Brody Williams and quarterback Zach Harris. All delivered, as did linemen James Rothenberg, Dan Martens and Stephan Lagana.

“Those are three players who we really needed to step up. They weren’t starters before and they were borderline going into doubles and all three had really nice seasons for us. We challenged them going into the offseason last year and they did, and I’m proud of those guys.”

Merrimack finished the regular season at 6-4 overall, but 4-4 in the division, a record that in the past has been good enough to get into the Division II postseason. Just last year, Alvirne was the fourth seed in the playoffs at 4-4, but things were a lot different in the division this year.

Exeter, which played in six of the previous eight division championship games, moved up to Division I and Manchester West, a team that’s struggled since the school enrollment dropped after the high school in Bedford opened, took Exeter’s place.

Bishop Guertin (7-1), which has won five of the last six division titles, had a reloading year and suffered some key injuries. Winancunnet (6-2) battled injuries of its own midseason and Dover (6-2) struggled out of the gate. Keene (5-3), which is this year’s fourth seed, along with Timberlane (5-3) and Merrimack all played the top teams close.

“I think everyone said that when Exeter went up, it would change the dynamics, but I don’t think anyone realized exactly how much,” Battista said. “That was really the most competitive season I can remember.”

Although Merrimack came up a game short of its ultimate goal, the Tomahawks still have the Thanksgiving Day game against Souhegan to look forward to. After taking this week off, Merrimack will go back to practice on Monday.

“I’m going crazy already just being off for a couple of days,” Battista said. “I’m excited because I like that game so much. It gives you one more shot to the season. It would have been tough to have been done after Winnacunnet. That would have been like going 90 down the highway and then slamming on the breaks. It will be nice to get it going again next week and get out with that team again.”

Merrimack will host Souhegan on Thanksgiving Day at 10 a.m.