Well last week I went 9-1 last week to improve to 24 and 6 on the season. Not too bad...looks like the divining rod still has it's shine. As I mentioned last week I had the opportunity to visit Manchester and see first hand the machine that is the Trinity Pioneers. Suffice it to say that Petruzzi and company are the real deal. They make very few mistakes and are the same team they always have been, but with a bit more flare. They are not shy about going to the air but their precision is their ground game. They play a deliberate brand of football and are very business like in what they do. Everyone is on the same page and they are loaded with athletes. They will be a tough out for anybody this year.
Lebanon on the other had was not what i had expected. I guess for a team with such a veteran squad (double digit seniors), I had expected a more cohesive unit. At times they seemed rattled and pressing (even as early as the first quarter). I guess the best way to put it is whereas Trinity seemed like 1 unit functioning as 11 guys heading toward a common goal, Lebanon seemed like they were 11 individuals kind of doing their own thing. This lead to costly mistakes, finger pointing and the type of thing you tend to see with young teams. In any event, hopefully this week they'll get the ship righted, it is still early and at least in DII North it's everybody else playing for second place behind the Bobcats.
The reality last Friday was that the game was over by halftime with the Pioneers up big 36-0. Petruzzi, Poole, Chambers and Rhoades all had big plays throughout the night. Defensively they harassed Lebanon QB Hastings all night long resulting in a number of turnovers. The Raiders never really got anything going on the first squad outside of a few 1st downs, most of them coming late in the game. It was a dominating performance by the Pioneers.
Now on to this weeks games.
Kingswood (1-2) at Merrimack Valley (2-1) -
Well, MV came back to earth at the hands of the Clippers last weekend. They'll look to get back on track this week as they play host to the Knights. Look for the Pride to rebound with a vengeance in front of the home crowd. MV wins this one going away 34-14.
Portsmouth (2-1) at Souhegan (0-3) -
The Clippers are coming into this one with their train clearly back on track. The Sabres lost a tough one last week to Windham but are playing much better ball. They'll have to play perfect this week to slow down the high powered Portsmouth O. Look for the Clippers to improve to 3-1 as they chase St. Thomas in DII East. Portsmouth on top 31 - 7.
Hanover (1-2) at Laconia (1-2) -
Coming off a forfeit last week, the Marauders are going to look at regrouping as they visit Laconia. The Sachems squeaked one out against the Knights last week to get their first W. I'm looking for Hanover QB Cavallaro to have a big game as Hanover gets to .500 and defeats Laconia on their new home field 28-14.
Kennett (1-2) at Lebanon (1-2) -
As I mentioned last week, I was at the Raiders - Pioneers game. They will need to come together this week as this game will go a long way in deciding who gets the #2 spot in DII North. I think this could go either way, so I'll go with the Home team. Raiders on top 24-21.
Hollis/Brookline (0-3) at Milford (2-1) -
HB is a better team than their record shows. That will not be enough this week though as the Spartans are beginning to find a groove. Milford is essentially one quarter away from a perfect 3-0 (a poor 4th against Trinity). They will move to 3-1 this week as they beat Hollis 40-7.
Kearsarge (1-2) at Con-Val (0-3) -
Conval has been struggling early on this season and have been outscored by there opponents 120-14 in their 3 losses. Kearsarge is in a rebuilding year and their sole W comes from a forfeit win over Hanover last week. I think this one could go either way. I'm going with the Home team on this one also, Con-Val collects their first W 21-14.
Sanborn (2-1) at Monadnock (3-0)-
Two good teams. The deciding factor in this one is going to be whether or not Sanborn can match the physicality of the Huskies. Coach Patnode doesn't run much in the way of funny stuff. His squad wants to hold their fist out and the proceed to simply punch you in the face. Then they dare you to punch them back. So far no one has been able to step up to the Husky bark. Sanborn will test Monadnock but the Huskies will remain perfect winning at Home 21-7.
St. Thomas (3-0) at Pembroke (1-2) -
The Saints have not been tested this season racking up wins against Stark, Kearsarge, and Kennett (a combined 3 - 6 with one of those wins coming by forfeit). Pembroke's only win comes against a rebuilding Laconia team. Look for the Saints to win on the road improving to 4-0 as they defeat the Spartans 39-14.
Windham (2-1) at John Stark (1-2) -
The Jaguars are off to a good start and while their record doesn't necessarily show it right now, this is a good Stark team they face this week. This will be a close game and could go either way. This is my upset of the week. Stark comes out on top as Dunn has a huge game 28-21.
Plymouth (3-0) at Trinity (3-0) -
What a doozy this one is going to be. Two powerhouses squaring off, Petruzzi, Poole, Rhoades, Chambers on one side and Thomas, Sullivan, Reisert, Khuel on the other as 3-0 meets 3-0, something has to give here. Both teams have veteran squads and are playing confident, disciplined football. I think the easy pick is to go with the hall of fame coach Lenahan, but Home field, turf, and a raucous crowd might be the deciding factor in this one. On paper they're even and the game will definitely be tight. I think I'm going to go with Plymouth by 5 in a game full of big hits and stingy defense. Bobcats win 21-16.
Good Luck to all teams!
~HC~
No comments:
Post a Comment