Unsung players giving Goffstown football boost toward playoff spot

The Goffstown High School football team didn't look like it would be in this spot a month ago.

After getting blown out in their first three games of the season, the Grizzlies were coming off a win over Concord and knew there was a long road ahead of them if they were going to reach the postseason for the fourth straight year.

Since Division I was expanded to 20 teams before the 2013 season, only one team - Bishop Guertin in 2014 - had started a season 0-3 and still reached the playoffs. The Cardinals finished 4-5 in the regular season that year and benefited from a down year in the West Conference, and the playoff format at the time, to reach the semifinals.

Goffstown has been more convincing in getting back into the playoff race.

After Saturday's 35-20 win over Bishop Guertin, the Grizzlies (5-3) have won five in a row, including a last-second win over Manchester Central (5-3) that gives them the important head-to-head tiebreaker. A win on Oct. 27 against Keene (1-7) would clinch a playoff spot for Goffstown.

And the Grizzlies were able to get the win with sophomore quarterback Jarrett Henault making his first varsity start, as senior Charlie Keith sat out with a knee injury. Henault helped lead Goffstown on a scoring drive to start the game, throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Sean Leahy, and finished with two rushing touchdowns.

"Jarrett making his first start, he was extremely composed," Goffstown coach Justin Hufft said. "He’s the kid we know he is. I can’t say enough good things about him and his preparation process. We had a lot of confidence in him and for him to come out, have a great drive down the field and throw a touchdown pass. Not surprised, but certainly was glad to see it."

Josh Juneau also had a big game, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns, behind an offensive line that's come into it's own during Goffstown's win streak.

"Our offensive line came out ready to play," Hufft said. "We had a guy, Cam Moquin, step up and I thought really played his tail off at guard. Great job blocking in the middle of the line that really opened stuff up for Juneau.

"Dan Locke has been a guy for us who leads the way up front. Eric LaFave has been good on the line. We started him on defense at the beginning of the year, but when we put him back on the line, it started clicking."

As team, Goffstown rushed for 237 yards on 51 carries, an average of 4.6 yards per rush, and in the second half, the Grizzlies were able to keep the ball away from Bishop Guertin long enough to slow down a Cardinals' comeback.

And while Bishop Guertin was able to move the ball at times, the Goffstown defense didn't break until it was already a 28-0 game in the third quarter. The Grizzlies forced a pair of turnovers in the first half and blocked a punt to open the second.

"Brad Baxter has really come into his own the last few weeks," Hufft said. "Run game, pass game, he’s difficult to block. He’s a wrestler, and I love those wrestler kids. He’s a force at linebacker.

"Jeff Heger has been good for us at linebacker. He kind of orchestrated the show from the middle linebacker position. Josh Picard at nose guard has been phenomenal on defense the last few weeks."

That has the Grizzlies one win away from accomplishing something that looked unlikely just a month ago.