Crossing the half way point...Week 5 has arrived.

So let's see, Week 5 is coming up as we cross the half way point. This upcoming week: Lebanon (0-4) plays Kingswood (0-4).

Plymouth(3-1) plays Hanover (1-3) -

This could be an interesting matchup (records aside). Plymouth has a strong defense let by Brooker, Newberry, and Reisert. They have a stong offense with a nice mix of pass and run. I've had the chance to see them play twice this year and Newberry looks very good. A strong North/South guy with high knees and an explosive running style. Brandon Goodale is there make you miss guy, with good speed and nice moves, a very crafty runner. On the Hanover side they will spread the field and test the DB/LB coverage from the first snap. Dan Gorman, Cyrus Rothwell-Ferrari will bring down pretty much anything thrown there way...and once you start thinking pass Cavallaro will find a seam and take off and run with the ball. So the defense has to somehow contain him as he has true break-away speed. This one could be a lot closer than the records would make you think.

I'm going with Plymouth in this one, HOWEVER, if Hanover wins this game (looking at the rest of their schedule) they could run the table and make the playoffs this year. You heard it here first.

Laconia (3-1) plays Stark (2-2) -

As good as start as Stark has gotten off to, Laconia is simply too talented. Their front line with the likes of Hurley, Hollis, Mears and Mahoney are massive and physical up front. Add to that the David Mahoney and Ronnie Steele coming out of the backfield you've got as big a 1-2 punch as you'll find in D IV this year. Scott Ruggieri is coming into his own as the season wears on and Chris Frontiero has very good speed to round out the backfield for the Sachems. These guys are the real deal this year, make no mistake they have the tools to win it all and this week will be yet one more step to the D IV Championship game. Sachems win this one big.

 Kennet (3-1) plays MV (1-3)

 Nick Massa will have a huge game against the Pride this week. While MV showed us last week that Cody Thurston can put up big numbers. Tim Barton and Justin Abbot have shown the ability to get open and make plays...however, it's the defense of Kennet that will win the day. Massa goes for 150+ in this one and Kennet wins by 14.

Trinity (4-0) plays Monadnock (3-1) -

Could be an interesting matchup, however, I just don't think the Huskies have the weapons to beat Trinity. Hughes is having a banner year this year. The Pioneer defense is suffocating and quicker than expected. Add to that a new dimension they pulled out in last weeks victory by switching up to a spread offense and they're starting to show some serious maturity and growth as a team. The fact that they were able to execute down the stretch in a pressure situation to come out on top over Plymouth has no doubt stoked their confidence. Similar to Laconia, these guys are just stacked with talent. Josh Hughes is an absolute truck (as is his counterpart Ryan Carrier), Chambers is another shifty runner. They are all about the 3 Ps Patience, Pace and Power. Looke for Trinity to win by 2 scores.

Lebanon (0-4) plays Kingswood (0-4) -

I mentioned earlier that Kohl Meyers scored 6 Touchdowns on his own last week in a losing effort to MV. That is unreal. I haven't had the chance to see them play this year, but I think this might be the week I do so. Lebanon has had a disappointing season to say the least with off field distractions, injuries and losses in key areas. All that said, their Defense while young is led by 3 All State players having good seasons on the defensive side of the Ball. Dylan Drew at ILB (one of HC's personal favorites), Alexander Morril and Chris Henry Lead a defense that has kept Lebanon close in 3 of their games. The key (as it is seems to be each week for these guys) is doing something on the Offensive side of the football. You'd think stepping onto the field as defending champs would be good for at least 14 pride points :) Anyway, we'll see. I'll get to see first hand how the offense looks this week as I journey to Wolfboro.

Good luck to all teams!