While clearly Lebanon and Trinity are at the top of D IV this year. It's probably going to be a dogfight for 3 and 4. Here are my thoughts.
#3 Kennett Eagles - Hey, look folks in case you haven't been paying attention Nick Massa has established himself as a workhorse for this team. They're working under a new head coach and while they were hit by the Bolewski bus last week, the gears are clicking for these guys. They have the ability to beat any team on any given day and are not to be overlooked or underestimated...and more to the point, could give Trinity all they can handle.
#4 Laconia - As they get healthy again, this is another team that will cause problems in the playoffs. They are extremely well coached and are no stranger to the Playoffs. They have a beast at middle Linebacker in Doran Logsdon and Jake Holmes and David Mahoney continue to perform very well. Defense is the question with them. I'm a big Ronnie Steele fan though, and I think without his big play ability it will be difficult for them to beat the other top teams.
#5 Monadnock - Okay, so here's the deal. Bolewski ran for 216 ish yards last week as the Huskies upset the Eagles. He ran the ball 33 times. If I'm Monadnock, I have absolutely nothing to lose here. You sit Blake down, and let him know you're riding his shoulders. He's a Senior this year...you give him the ball as often as you can and you see what happens. I love the way this kid runs the football. Ride the Bolewski bus all the way to the playoffs?...maybe.
#6 Plymouth - Brandon Goodale and Taylor Newberry are a great tandom out of the backfield for Plymouth...they are no stranger to the playoffs and there is no better coach in D IV. While you can never count them out...losses to Kennett, Laconia and Trinity have put them in a difficult spot since they will probably need to win out in order to get into the playoffs. This will mean they still need to beat Lebanon to have a chance at making the playoffs this year. If they do get in though, no one knows how to win a championship better than Coach L.
That said, last week I struggled with my picks. I went 3-2 in Division and 2-3 out of Division, leaving me overall at a very mediocre 5-5. For the season that makes me 26-14. So, I've thrown the Crystal Ball away and have consulted with the spirits of football yore to come up with my picks for this week.
Monadnock @ Hanover - Bolewski ran for 216 yards on 30 something carries last week. Smart money says they'll try to do the same against Hanover this week. If they do, they'll win. If not, the Marauders will spoil the Huskies playoff hopes. The spirits have told me Carney will finish this season strong and the Marauders won't lose another game this season...Hanover wins 32-16.
Stark @ Lebanon - Hard to think Stark will put up too much of a fight. This one will be over early. Raiders win 54 - 0.
Trinity @ Kennett - Massa, Gadomski and the rest of the Eagles team will look to right the ship, however, it's not happening this week. The Eagles will drop their 2nd in a row falling to Trinity 25-14.
Laconia @ Kingswood - Sachems will take sole possession of 3rd place this week when they beat the Knights and the Eagles lose. Sachems win big 32-6.
MV @ Plymouth - Cody Thurston and Dylan Sargeant have been bright spots in an otherwise dull year for the Pride. They won't be enough for a Bobcats team fighting for their playoff lives. Bobcats dominate 42-6.
Outside the Division:
D I Concord @ Nashua North - North gets back on the winning track 21-14.
D II Winnacunnet @ Timberlane - Upset of the week if you can call it that. Timberlane solidifies itself with a win here. Nick Lawrence will have a big game. Timberlane wins a shootout 42-35.
D III Milford @ Souhegan - No upset here. Souhegan on top 28-22.
D V Somersworth @ Bishop Brady - Brady wins a tight one 14-13.
D VI Franklin @ Newfound - Seems like Newfound is beating everyone that they should beat, but no one else (thus far). That trend continues...Franklin wins 28-20.
Okay, let's hear it!
pretty sure plmouth already beat monadnok. how can they be under them?
ReplyDeleteIt isn't likely anyone in this division is going to beat Trinity. They should be in another Division period.
ReplyDeleteLebanon will beat them when they play plain and simple leb doesnt get enough respect
ReplyDeleteTrinity will not lose in Division IV.
ReplyDeleteHeh, Trinity better worry about Kennett and Lebanon better worry about Plymouth next week. Chances are they will have both Newberry and Gooddale who are both explosive backs. It won't be like the Laconia game, the Sachems got off easy with Newberry not being there. This will be a different team.
ReplyDeleteAnyone here if the Kennet - Trinity game is on tonite?
ReplyDeleteNH football report is reporting that the Eagles - Trinity game will be postponed until Sat at 6pm.
ReplyDeleteyeah Lebs gotta think about plymouth and take it one game at a time. Same with Trinity about Kennet. Needless to say if both teams go into their game undefeated it will be an epic game.
ReplyDeleteIf I was Kennett and had any control over it, I would have pushed for the game to be played in the rain.
ReplyDeleteman I just want stark to score one time. it has been a while :)
ReplyDeletehanover is too small to stop monadnock
ReplyDeleteLebanon is getting no respect. They are having the best year they have had since the 80's. Even local paper isn't doing any big articles on them. What's up with that? I guess they just aren't used to Leb winning!!!! These kids are doing such a great job. Their defense is Amazing this year!!
ReplyDeletenice call on the timberlane upset.
ReplyDeleteSo much for Trinity not being beaten in D IV. That's right, my hometown boys beat them 14-6 last Saturday.
ReplyDelete