Week 1...Here we go again!

Well, the first weekend is through:

Trinity defeated MV
Laconia defeated Hanover
Kennett defeated Lebanon
Plymouth defeated Monadnock
Stark defeated Kingswood

After week one a couple things are pretty clear. Trinity is still a force and the clear favorite to win the D IV title. Laconia is the real deal folks...they are loaded with talent at both the line and the backfield and could be a close #2 in the division. Plymouth also returns a number of veterans to the field and it shows. Goodale, Newberry, and Booker are ready this year to put Plymouth back on top. Kennett came out out on top in a slugfest with Lebanon in a game that was much closer than the score. Some notes:

Kennett was off the bus early in their win, with Massa scoring on a long run 2nd play from scrimmage. The score stayed that way for 3+ quarters. Kennet looked good and Massa certainly stood out this game, and looked strong and fast at RB. The Raiders could have easily been the team that won 20-0 as 4+ costly turnovers (2 int, 2 fumbles). They will need to get a handle on this quickly to get things back on track this season.

Good news for Kennett is that they got out of Lebanon with a Win. Massa is big and looks strong this year and they bring back their QB Jesse Wheeler.

Good news for the Raiders is that Drew, Morrill, and Henry were in exceptional form already and were flying around making plays on both sides of the ball all game. Pelletier had a very good game at RB for them and while they will certainly miss Barker, Judd, Davidson and others who did not return to the team this year, if they can eliminate the turnovers, they can still make noise.

In Hanover, Dan Gorman is a real and present weapon for the Marauders and their new QB Cavallaro is going to be a very good quarterback. They should put up big numbers this year. Mark my words, Hanover will not start 0-5 this year. That said, Laconia is in a word a "force" this year. If they stay healthy I think early money is on the Sachems and Pioneers to be competing for a DIV championship. Ronnie Steele is back and fast as ever, add to that David Mahoney who is running behind a solid and veteran line and they will be tough to stop this year with all the starters they have brought back. Hollis, Mahoney and company can just flat out open holes. Defense will be their question mark as things move forward.

Plymouth returners Goodale and Newberry, Brooker ran the ball well in the Bobcats week 1 victory, over Monadnock. These two teams played a close game 20-14 and are my dark horses after week 1.

Trinity is back to doing what they do, which is blowing people out. With Carrier, Hughes, and Chambers back it's not so much speed that this team has but sheer power. That combined with the double wing offense that only Lebanon had truly figured out last season. It's hard to think of anyone beating them this year. We'll see though. It's still very early.

As a final note. I just wanted to send a note out to all the families and communities who were affected by Irene recently. I think we all know someone directly touched by this catastrophe and we should put them in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. Good job this week teams and good luck in Week 2!