As we enter the midpoint of the season, I want to wish both Nick Massa and David Mahoney speedy recoveries. I'm a big fan of both of these guys and they are both Seniors, playing in their final High School season and both finding themselves injured and missing games. Hopefully they will find themselves back on the field at some point in the second half of the season.
Without a doubt, Plymouth and Windham have established themselves as the clear frontrunners in D IV. They meet on Saturday in what should be the game of the week in NH at any division. Both had tough games last week against teams with winning records and found themselves on top by substantial margins. This one should be a great game, Goodale, Thomas, Reisert meet Cooney, Cannone and Lorenze, this could go either way. I've seen both teams play this year and defensively they're very similar. Windham might be a bit bigger up front, but the speed factor goes to the Bobcats. I'm a speed guy so I think I'm going with Plymouth in this one 21-14.
Trinity and Lebanon. Once again, the Raiders committed costly turnovers killing their chances against Kennet last week. They'll look to turn their season around as they travel to Manchester to play a Trinity team who made a statement in Laconia last week. The Sachems never had a chance as the Pioneers jumped out early and never looked back. As good as the Dozer is, I think the Pioneers have too many weapons, and they're at home. Even if the Raiders manage to quell the turnover bug, I see the Pioneers coming out on top 34-14.
Kennett and Hanover. With Massa hurt and it being unclear whether or not he'll play this week, it's hard not to go with the Marauders in this one. They've had a tough 2 game stretch though so we'll have to see if they can right the ship as they meet the Eagles. Both Teams are at 2-2 so this is a big game for both of them. I suspect 6-3 is what you'll need to make the playoffs this year in DIV so winning is key for both of these teams. Hanover gets back on track here, 14-0.
St. Thomas and John Stark - The Saints will look to improve to 4-1 against the Generals. John Stark picked up their first W in Kingswood last week as they put up 28 points on the Knights. This game will be closer than you might think. Saints will still come out on top 20-17.
Kingswood and Laconia - Kingswood is an extremely small team this year and Laconia is beyond banged up. This game will be a close one, with the Sachems coming out with their first W! 31-28.
Good luck to all teams this week!
~HC~
Friday, September 28, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Week 4 is upon us!
Windham hosts St. Thomas
Well the big matchup in D IV this weekend is between 2 of the 3 undefeated teams that remain in what is otherwise a division that is up for grabs. Windham and St. Thomas will meet at the Jaguar's den (do Jaguars really have dens or do they just hang out in trees?). Anyway, Ryan Monette takes his undefeated Saints over to Windham for what could be a prelude to the Championship game (though I know the Bobcats would have something to say about that). Danny Cannone (thanks for correcting my typo - which I fixed btw:)), Kevin Cooney, Lorenz and company will be ready and waiting for someone to step up and give them a close one.
If the Saints can manage to hang on to the ball this could be tight...however, the Jaguars have some motivation here. To start with their at home in this one and playing at home is a monster advantage. Also, they've got to be thinking about getting a little bit of payback for last year's championship game in DV where the Saints came out on top. This one could be a knock down dragout battle!
All that aside, home field, revenge factor, and fresh new digs are going to be tipping the scales. The spirits tell me that while it could be a close game, it won't end up being that way. If Windham has shown us anything this year, it's that they know their 3 Cs - Create, Cause, and Capitalize on turnovers. All the while doing a decent job at limiting their own. I suspect this will be another example of the Windham machine flexing it's muscles...35 - 13 Jaguars.
Laconia hosts Trinity
You never like to see a player get injured period...however, it's even more painful when the player is in his Senior season. The Sachems of Laconia rely heavily on the "Motor" David Mahoney and will miss him the next few weeks with an injury. This is going to make tonight's game against the Pioneers of Trinity difficult. As we all know, one guy isn't going to determine the success or failure of a football team, however, Mahoney is a key component of the Sachem's engine and without him healthy, the road for the rest of the way will be difficult. Romeo, Ryan, Carmen and company will look to rebound against a crippled Laconia team and it might be just what they need after last week's difficult loss against the Bobcats. Trinity comes out on top 28-14.
Lebanon hosts Kennet
The Raiders will look to the "Dozer" Dylan Drew to pull the reins in on Kennett's all everything RB Nick Massa on Saturday. This is a key game for these two teams as the loser of this game will basically have to look at running the table the rest of the way in order to even think about being in the playoff discussion come weeks 8 and 9. Both teams got their first W last week, with Kennet defeating the Generals of John Stark and the Raiders coming out big against a young Knights team. The Raider D stepped up last week to shut out Kingswood and appeared to limit the turnovers which definitely hurt them in the game I saw against Windham. I'm going with home field and the Dozer, 21-7 Lebanon on top!
Hanover hosts Plymouth
This one will let the Marauders know where they stand...a big test. The Bobcats are confident and executing with precision on both sides of the ball. Not only are they creating turnovers but they're capitalizing and converting them to points. Goodale, Thomas and Reisert are coming to Hanover on a mission and that mission has 4-0 written all over it. I bet Coach I. and his Hanover squad will have something to say about that though. He's going to have his team primed to get back on track and upset the visitors. Turnovers killed them last week and that will be key again, Cavallaro, Keating, and Rothwell-Ferraris are going to need to be on point with their A-game to pull this one out. They'll spread the field and try to use their speed on the Hanover turf and play fast. I'm going with Hanover in the upset of the week...a barn-burner coming down to the wire, the home team Marauders pull it out 38-35 on a field goal as time expires.
Kingswood hosts John Stark
And then there was 1. Both teams come into this one winless, but the Generals have been putting up some points. Mistakes and problems executing have cost the Generals and their first 3 games. They have 2 quality backs in Dunn and Bumford who can make plays, but they need to stay focused and avoid needless penalties and untimely turnovers. Kingswood is a very young and undersized team but if the Generals give them the opportunity and they can take advantage of some miscues they could pull what I would consider an upset. I don't see this happening though and I think the Generals will pull out their first victory in Wolfeboro. Generals on top 28-21.
Good luck to all as you lace 'em up tonight!
~HC~
Well the big matchup in D IV this weekend is between 2 of the 3 undefeated teams that remain in what is otherwise a division that is up for grabs. Windham and St. Thomas will meet at the Jaguar's den (do Jaguars really have dens or do they just hang out in trees?). Anyway, Ryan Monette takes his undefeated Saints over to Windham for what could be a prelude to the Championship game (though I know the Bobcats would have something to say about that). Danny Cannone (thanks for correcting my typo - which I fixed btw:)), Kevin Cooney, Lorenz and company will be ready and waiting for someone to step up and give them a close one.
If the Saints can manage to hang on to the ball this could be tight...however, the Jaguars have some motivation here. To start with their at home in this one and playing at home is a monster advantage. Also, they've got to be thinking about getting a little bit of payback for last year's championship game in DV where the Saints came out on top. This one could be a knock down dragout battle!
All that aside, home field, revenge factor, and fresh new digs are going to be tipping the scales. The spirits tell me that while it could be a close game, it won't end up being that way. If Windham has shown us anything this year, it's that they know their 3 Cs - Create, Cause, and Capitalize on turnovers. All the while doing a decent job at limiting their own. I suspect this will be another example of the Windham machine flexing it's muscles...35 - 13 Jaguars.
Laconia hosts Trinity
You never like to see a player get injured period...however, it's even more painful when the player is in his Senior season. The Sachems of Laconia rely heavily on the "Motor" David Mahoney and will miss him the next few weeks with an injury. This is going to make tonight's game against the Pioneers of Trinity difficult. As we all know, one guy isn't going to determine the success or failure of a football team, however, Mahoney is a key component of the Sachem's engine and without him healthy, the road for the rest of the way will be difficult. Romeo, Ryan, Carmen and company will look to rebound against a crippled Laconia team and it might be just what they need after last week's difficult loss against the Bobcats. Trinity comes out on top 28-14.
Lebanon hosts Kennet
The Raiders will look to the "Dozer" Dylan Drew to pull the reins in on Kennett's all everything RB Nick Massa on Saturday. This is a key game for these two teams as the loser of this game will basically have to look at running the table the rest of the way in order to even think about being in the playoff discussion come weeks 8 and 9. Both teams got their first W last week, with Kennet defeating the Generals of John Stark and the Raiders coming out big against a young Knights team. The Raider D stepped up last week to shut out Kingswood and appeared to limit the turnovers which definitely hurt them in the game I saw against Windham. I'm going with home field and the Dozer, 21-7 Lebanon on top!
Hanover hosts Plymouth
This one will let the Marauders know where they stand...a big test. The Bobcats are confident and executing with precision on both sides of the ball. Not only are they creating turnovers but they're capitalizing and converting them to points. Goodale, Thomas and Reisert are coming to Hanover on a mission and that mission has 4-0 written all over it. I bet Coach I. and his Hanover squad will have something to say about that though. He's going to have his team primed to get back on track and upset the visitors. Turnovers killed them last week and that will be key again, Cavallaro, Keating, and Rothwell-Ferraris are going to need to be on point with their A-game to pull this one out. They'll spread the field and try to use their speed on the Hanover turf and play fast. I'm going with Hanover in the upset of the week...a barn-burner coming down to the wire, the home team Marauders pull it out 38-35 on a field goal as time expires.
Kingswood hosts John Stark
And then there was 1. Both teams come into this one winless, but the Generals have been putting up some points. Mistakes and problems executing have cost the Generals and their first 3 games. They have 2 quality backs in Dunn and Bumford who can make plays, but they need to stay focused and avoid needless penalties and untimely turnovers. Kingswood is a very young and undersized team but if the Generals give them the opportunity and they can take advantage of some miscues they could pull what I would consider an upset. I don't see this happening though and I think the Generals will pull out their first victory in Wolfeboro. Generals on top 28-21.
Good luck to all as you lace 'em up tonight!
~HC~
Monday, September 17, 2012
Week 3 Recap - St. Thomas, Plymouth and Windham remain undefeated!
Plymouth ROCK(s) Trinity 34-16 in battle of unbeatens.
This one was never close. Junior John Thomas started off the scoring with a 20 yard TD run to put the Bobcats on the board first. As if that wasn't enough he then returned a pick 70 yards for his second TD (14-0 Bobcats). Sullivan then kept the ball and scampered in for a TD and followed that up by throwing to Brandon Goodale for his first score of the day and it was 29-0 as the half ticked down. Giampetruzzi put the Pioneers on the board just before the half by hitting Theroux for a score making it 29-8 at the half, but it was all over at that point as the Pioneers were never in this one.
Trinity looks to rebound as they visit Laconia while Plymouth travels to Hanover.
Lebanon gets their first win with a 35-0 victory over Kingswood.
Dylan Drew punched in 2 TDs and Nevin Kapuscinski nets 3 as the Raiders pitch a shutout. Next up is Kennett for Lebanon while Kingswood hosts John Stark.
Windham keeps on trucking as they dismiss Hanover 34-6.
6 Turnovers were too much for the Marauders to overcome as the Jaguars kept right on rolling. Danny Cannone and Bail both score twice and Anderson once. Next up for Windham is St. Thomas while Hanover looks to derail the Bobcats of Plymouth.
St. Thomas continues it's streak as they rolled to 3-0, defeating Laconia 47-15.
Monette strikes for 3 TD, Geppert gets 1 and Middleton nails 2 field goals as the Saints march all over the Sachems. Next up the Saints visit WIndham in a rematch of last year's DV title game..and what could be a prelude to this years! Laconia looks to right the ship as they host Trinity.
Stark falls to 0-3 as the Eagles come out on top 19-7.
Kennet travels to Lebanon while the Generals visit the Kingswood Nights.
This one was never close. Junior John Thomas started off the scoring with a 20 yard TD run to put the Bobcats on the board first. As if that wasn't enough he then returned a pick 70 yards for his second TD (14-0 Bobcats). Sullivan then kept the ball and scampered in for a TD and followed that up by throwing to Brandon Goodale for his first score of the day and it was 29-0 as the half ticked down. Giampetruzzi put the Pioneers on the board just before the half by hitting Theroux for a score making it 29-8 at the half, but it was all over at that point as the Pioneers were never in this one.
Trinity looks to rebound as they visit Laconia while Plymouth travels to Hanover.
Lebanon gets their first win with a 35-0 victory over Kingswood.
Dylan Drew punched in 2 TDs and Nevin Kapuscinski nets 3 as the Raiders pitch a shutout. Next up is Kennett for Lebanon while Kingswood hosts John Stark.
Windham keeps on trucking as they dismiss Hanover 34-6.
6 Turnovers were too much for the Marauders to overcome as the Jaguars kept right on rolling. Danny Cannone and Bail both score twice and Anderson once. Next up for Windham is St. Thomas while Hanover looks to derail the Bobcats of Plymouth.
St. Thomas continues it's streak as they rolled to 3-0, defeating Laconia 47-15.
Monette strikes for 3 TD, Geppert gets 1 and Middleton nails 2 field goals as the Saints march all over the Sachems. Next up the Saints visit WIndham in a rematch of last year's DV title game..and what could be a prelude to this years! Laconia looks to right the ship as they host Trinity.
Stark falls to 0-3 as the Eagles come out on top 19-7.
Kennet travels to Lebanon while the Generals visit the Kingswood Nights.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Turnovers derail Raiders - Windham rolls on...
Let me start by saying this game did not 'feel' like the score indicates at least for the first 1 1/2 quarters. I apologize but I didn't have a roster for the Windham players so I'll do what i can.
The game started off with the Raiders ball on their own 30. They were steadily moving the ball when 4 plays later Lucas Gerow on successive 8 and 12 yard scampers had the raiders at the Windham 35 yard line. But then a holding call negated a 10 yard gain. On the next play # 67 for Windham came up the middle hitting Raider QB Travis Hastings causing fumble, which was recovered by the Jags deep in raider territory. 2 plays later FB Kevin Cooney barreled into the endzone. 7-0 Jags.
Windham attempted an onside kick which was wrangled up by Lebanon. Raider ball at midfield. Lebanon picked up where they had left off. 5 yard gain, 4 yard gain, 15 yard pass, they're in business and driving. Gerow carried the edge off a BIG seal block by Dylan Drew for a 20 yard gain inside the Windham 20. They drove inside the Windham 10, 1st and goal Lebanon. Windham's #22 made a nice play outside to shut down a sweep, leaving the Raiders at around the 10 yard line. Drew barreled through (his first of only 4 carries for the game) the middle for 5 yards. 3rd and goal at the 4. QB Travis Hastings dropped back to pass, slipped and fell down. The field goal attempt went wide Jags ball. It was a nice drive but still a 0 on the board.
Windham took over and QB Joe Lorenz dropped back to pass and was sacked by Lebanon back on the Jags 10 yard line. Next play the Jag's#28 goes off tackle and is stood up at the line by Drew for no gain. The Jags had 3rd and a ways to go from their own 10. Lebanon's Jesse Lord stuffed #28 again on the next play. Jags forced to punt 3 and out.
The Raiders took over on their own 30 and took to the air on the first play. QB Hastings connected for a 5 yard gain with the Tight End. But, on the next play RB Phil Hwang fumbled, Jags recovered on the Lebanon 35 yard line. 1st and 10 going the other way. Turnover's will kill ya.
Cooney then took the ball up the middle for 3 yards. On the 2nd play from scrimmage the Jags QB Lorenz threw a flare pass out to #28 in the flats where he was gobbled up by Drew for a loss on the play. On third down Lorenz connected for 8 yards and the Jags were going on 4th. Windham then took it 10 yards to the Raider 25 off the left side...1st down. A holding penalty on the next play put the ball back around the 30. This didn't matter though as on the next play Lorenz flipped a pitch to Windham's #25 and led him down the sideline for a nice 25 yard TD scamper.
Just like that, the Raiders had put together a couple nice drives and come up empty. Two turnovers for the Jags and they took advantage of them both and turned them into scores. 14-0 Jags.
Windham again kicked an onside kickoff which bounced off Raiders front man Tanner Simms and was recovered by the Jags. Windham ball. on the Raider 40. 1 play later Cooney took the ball (on a nice ball fake by Lorenz) down the sideline 35 yards for the score. 3 turnovers converted into 21 unanswered points. On Lebanon's next possession they went 3 and out and were forced to punt. Windham then exerted their will from that point on. Lorenz connected with Artem Aristov down the sideline for a 60 yard TD catch and run. 26-0. At this point the game was basically decided.
After another 4 and out by Lebanon, the Jags marched the ball inside Lebanon territory where the Raiders recoverd a Jags fumble. On the very next play from scrimmage, Windham picked off an errant pass. They then proceeded to march down for another score. 41-6 at the half.
The feeling I was left with was that it was such a tight first quarter, frankly with Lebanon moving the ball steadily up and down the field, but the turnovers simply killed them. Once the Jaguars smelled blood they went in for the kill and did so mercelissly. Make no mistake the Jaguars are the real deal. They can score quickly in many different ways. They will be in the championship race this year...D IV be warned. Their line is simply huge and it will be a game to see once these guys go up against Trinity. Can't wait for that one. In the end the score was 48-6 with Drew getting the only Raider TD.
As for Lebanon, they are small up front but in the first quarter were hanging with Windham blow for blow. The turnovers (as they always are) were the difference and once Windham got going they were quite a team to watch as they put Lebanon down for the count. More later on this weeks upcoming games!
The game started off with the Raiders ball on their own 30. They were steadily moving the ball when 4 plays later Lucas Gerow on successive 8 and 12 yard scampers had the raiders at the Windham 35 yard line. But then a holding call negated a 10 yard gain. On the next play # 67 for Windham came up the middle hitting Raider QB Travis Hastings causing fumble, which was recovered by the Jags deep in raider territory. 2 plays later FB Kevin Cooney barreled into the endzone. 7-0 Jags.
Windham attempted an onside kick which was wrangled up by Lebanon. Raider ball at midfield. Lebanon picked up where they had left off. 5 yard gain, 4 yard gain, 15 yard pass, they're in business and driving. Gerow carried the edge off a BIG seal block by Dylan Drew for a 20 yard gain inside the Windham 20. They drove inside the Windham 10, 1st and goal Lebanon. Windham's #22 made a nice play outside to shut down a sweep, leaving the Raiders at around the 10 yard line. Drew barreled through (his first of only 4 carries for the game) the middle for 5 yards. 3rd and goal at the 4. QB Travis Hastings dropped back to pass, slipped and fell down. The field goal attempt went wide Jags ball. It was a nice drive but still a 0 on the board.
Windham took over and QB Joe Lorenz dropped back to pass and was sacked by Lebanon back on the Jags 10 yard line. Next play the Jag's#28 goes off tackle and is stood up at the line by Drew for no gain. The Jags had 3rd and a ways to go from their own 10. Lebanon's Jesse Lord stuffed #28 again on the next play. Jags forced to punt 3 and out.
The Raiders took over on their own 30 and took to the air on the first play. QB Hastings connected for a 5 yard gain with the Tight End. But, on the next play RB Phil Hwang fumbled, Jags recovered on the Lebanon 35 yard line. 1st and 10 going the other way. Turnover's will kill ya.
Cooney then took the ball up the middle for 3 yards. On the 2nd play from scrimmage the Jags QB Lorenz threw a flare pass out to #28 in the flats where he was gobbled up by Drew for a loss on the play. On third down Lorenz connected for 8 yards and the Jags were going on 4th. Windham then took it 10 yards to the Raider 25 off the left side...1st down. A holding penalty on the next play put the ball back around the 30. This didn't matter though as on the next play Lorenz flipped a pitch to Windham's #25 and led him down the sideline for a nice 25 yard TD scamper.
Just like that, the Raiders had put together a couple nice drives and come up empty. Two turnovers for the Jags and they took advantage of them both and turned them into scores. 14-0 Jags.
Windham again kicked an onside kickoff which bounced off Raiders front man Tanner Simms and was recovered by the Jags. Windham ball. on the Raider 40. 1 play later Cooney took the ball (on a nice ball fake by Lorenz) down the sideline 35 yards for the score. 3 turnovers converted into 21 unanswered points. On Lebanon's next possession they went 3 and out and were forced to punt. Windham then exerted their will from that point on. Lorenz connected with Artem Aristov down the sideline for a 60 yard TD catch and run. 26-0. At this point the game was basically decided.
After another 4 and out by Lebanon, the Jags marched the ball inside Lebanon territory where the Raiders recoverd a Jags fumble. On the very next play from scrimmage, Windham picked off an errant pass. They then proceeded to march down for another score. 41-6 at the half.
The feeling I was left with was that it was such a tight first quarter, frankly with Lebanon moving the ball steadily up and down the field, but the turnovers simply killed them. Once the Jaguars smelled blood they went in for the kill and did so mercelissly. Make no mistake the Jaguars are the real deal. They can score quickly in many different ways. They will be in the championship race this year...D IV be warned. Their line is simply huge and it will be a game to see once these guys go up against Trinity. Can't wait for that one. In the end the score was 48-6 with Drew getting the only Raider TD.
As for Lebanon, they are small up front but in the first quarter were hanging with Windham blow for blow. The turnovers (as they always are) were the difference and once Windham got going they were quite a team to watch as they put Lebanon down for the count. More later on this weeks upcoming games!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Week 2 in D IV ! Post views and picks...
Well, we had some surprises last week along with more of what we expected. Trinity and St Thomas both continued their march of perfection. The Saints relied on a late game pick to seal their victory over Kennet 12 -6 while Trinity's game was over by halftime as they rolled over Kingswood in their opener. Hanover also crushed John Stark and Plymouth took advantage of 6 Raider turnovers and defeated Lebanon 40-21. None of these games were overly surprising, until you look at the Windham/Laconia Box score, the Windham War Machine dominated the Sachems 52-6...limiting an injured David Mahoney to 61 yards on 11 carries. Watch out D IV, there's a new kid in town and he's looking to run the block :)
On the slate for Week 2, I plan on visiting Lebanon to get my first look at the Jaguars from Windham. I'll have a review of that game sometime this weekend. The most intriguing games this weekend though are Plymouth at Kennett and Laconia at Hanover. The Marauders had a relatively easy game of it last week, but it's safe to say Coach K and the Sachems will be looking to rebound in a big way as they travel to Marauder country. Second is the Plymouth/Kennett game. If Plymouth can lock down all state running back Nick Massa they should be okay, but this should be interesting to see.
Last week ~HC~ went 4-1.
Windham Jaguars @ Lebanon Raiders - the Spirits predict this will be a closer game than you might think but Windham comes out on top 24-21.
This will be my first glimpse of both these teams this year. Based on my information though, Windham had no problems handling the Sachems while Lebanon basically handed Plymouth the game by turning the ball over 6 times in the first half 3 times while driving deep in Plymouth territory. So, if the Raiders can eliminate the turnovers this might be a game, but the Jaguars created 5 of them last week. We'll have to see...last week the Jaguars held one of the best backs in D IV in check (David Mahoney) and this week they'll see a totally different back in the Dozer - Dylan Drew. I can't wait for this one!
Laconia Sachems @ Hanover - okay, okay, I flipped a coin on this one and Hanover won. Marauders stay perfect and beat Laconia in a shootout...48-42 on a broken play where Cavallaro is forced to scramble and breaks a 42-42 tie by going the distance as time expires (or that's what the spirits tell me is going to happen anyway).
Hey, Shawn Cavallaro and Cyrus Rothwell-Ferraris had exceptional games for Hanover last week, but they'll face a different animal tonight. Laconia is away for their first 3 games this year. Make no mistake the Motor Mahoney and the Sachems are coming to Hanover tonight on a mission. The Sachems do not want to start out 0-2 and look at their 3rd away game at St Thomas in week 3 so they will have their teeth bared. I expect this will be a dog-fight with a ton of points scored by both teams. The offensive weapons are definitely there!
Plymouth Bobcats @ Kennett Eagles - I didn't quite flip a coin on this one. If the Bobcats can cause 6 turnovers against a veteran Lebanon team, I think Coach L. might have found a good combination on D. I'm going with Plymouth 28 - 14.
Kennett is young this year, but that have a running back in Nick Massa who's a North/South guy with good top end speed. If they can contain him, Plymouth has the weapons in Thomas, Goodale, and Reisert to put points up in a hurry. The Bobcats have always mixed run and pass with brutal efficiency....and Reisert is tall, fast and has great hands. The Bobcats should come out on top here.
Stark Generals @ Trinity Pioneers - the Pioneers were gifted a couple young teams to open with. Trinity continues to roll 40-6.
Stark has a couple good backs in Carson Dunn and Jacob Bumford. They combined for 140+ yards last week in Hanover, however, not many teams have the weapons to hang with Trinity. It will take a perfect game I think to come on top in Manchester against these guys. Carrier, Masuku and company are playing with confidence and they will be tough to beat this year.
St. Thomas @ Kingswood - St. Thomas takes this one 28 - 7.
The Saints started their D IV run with a tight victory over the Eagles last week (12-6). They turned the ball over a few times which caused them some problems however I don't see much trouble this week. The Knights are the youngest team in D IV, but they are at home so anything can happen. I expect this one to be over quickly though.
So if my predictions ring true, we'll have a group of front runners after this week. Trinity, Windham, St Thomas, Plymouth and Hanover all at 2-0 with Lebanon, Kennett, Laconia, Stark and Kingswood sitting at 0-2. With only 4 teams getting to the playoffs, any more that 3 losses this year (and maybe even 2) might be the most you can handle if you hope to make the post-season. Players in that second group will need to step up and perform if they want to prove me wrong. Good luck to all tonight and tomorrow.
~HC~
On the slate for Week 2, I plan on visiting Lebanon to get my first look at the Jaguars from Windham. I'll have a review of that game sometime this weekend. The most intriguing games this weekend though are Plymouth at Kennett and Laconia at Hanover. The Marauders had a relatively easy game of it last week, but it's safe to say Coach K and the Sachems will be looking to rebound in a big way as they travel to Marauder country. Second is the Plymouth/Kennett game. If Plymouth can lock down all state running back Nick Massa they should be okay, but this should be interesting to see.
Last week ~HC~ went 4-1.
Windham Jaguars @ Lebanon Raiders - the Spirits predict this will be a closer game than you might think but Windham comes out on top 24-21.
This will be my first glimpse of both these teams this year. Based on my information though, Windham had no problems handling the Sachems while Lebanon basically handed Plymouth the game by turning the ball over 6 times in the first half 3 times while driving deep in Plymouth territory. So, if the Raiders can eliminate the turnovers this might be a game, but the Jaguars created 5 of them last week. We'll have to see...last week the Jaguars held one of the best backs in D IV in check (David Mahoney) and this week they'll see a totally different back in the Dozer - Dylan Drew. I can't wait for this one!
Laconia Sachems @ Hanover - okay, okay, I flipped a coin on this one and Hanover won. Marauders stay perfect and beat Laconia in a shootout...48-42 on a broken play where Cavallaro is forced to scramble and breaks a 42-42 tie by going the distance as time expires (or that's what the spirits tell me is going to happen anyway).
Hey, Shawn Cavallaro and Cyrus Rothwell-Ferraris had exceptional games for Hanover last week, but they'll face a different animal tonight. Laconia is away for their first 3 games this year. Make no mistake the Motor Mahoney and the Sachems are coming to Hanover tonight on a mission. The Sachems do not want to start out 0-2 and look at their 3rd away game at St Thomas in week 3 so they will have their teeth bared. I expect this will be a dog-fight with a ton of points scored by both teams. The offensive weapons are definitely there!
Plymouth Bobcats @ Kennett Eagles - I didn't quite flip a coin on this one. If the Bobcats can cause 6 turnovers against a veteran Lebanon team, I think Coach L. might have found a good combination on D. I'm going with Plymouth 28 - 14.
Kennett is young this year, but that have a running back in Nick Massa who's a North/South guy with good top end speed. If they can contain him, Plymouth has the weapons in Thomas, Goodale, and Reisert to put points up in a hurry. The Bobcats have always mixed run and pass with brutal efficiency....and Reisert is tall, fast and has great hands. The Bobcats should come out on top here.
Stark Generals @ Trinity Pioneers - the Pioneers were gifted a couple young teams to open with. Trinity continues to roll 40-6.
Stark has a couple good backs in Carson Dunn and Jacob Bumford. They combined for 140+ yards last week in Hanover, however, not many teams have the weapons to hang with Trinity. It will take a perfect game I think to come on top in Manchester against these guys. Carrier, Masuku and company are playing with confidence and they will be tough to beat this year.
St. Thomas @ Kingswood - St. Thomas takes this one 28 - 7.
The Saints started their D IV run with a tight victory over the Eagles last week (12-6). They turned the ball over a few times which caused them some problems however I don't see much trouble this week. The Knights are the youngest team in D IV, but they are at home so anything can happen. I expect this one to be over quickly though.
So if my predictions ring true, we'll have a group of front runners after this week. Trinity, Windham, St Thomas, Plymouth and Hanover all at 2-0 with Lebanon, Kennett, Laconia, Stark and Kingswood sitting at 0-2. With only 4 teams getting to the playoffs, any more that 3 losses this year (and maybe even 2) might be the most you can handle if you hope to make the post-season. Players in that second group will need to step up and perform if they want to prove me wrong. Good luck to all tonight and tomorrow.
~HC~
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