The Crosstown Motors Thursday Thoughts for 10/28/2015
2015-10-26
Saikou Bah and Trinity take on St. Thomas Friday night
By Dave Haley
Two months after we brought you coverage of the Queen City Football Jamboree we come to the final weekend of the regular season with a number of teams needing to win to extend their season. Could John Stark be in and Pinkerton really be out? The guy who had that happening back in August is a guy whose NCAA tournament brackets you want to copy come March…
We will be busy once again Friday night as Pete Tarrier & the Great Jon Kesty will bring you full coverage of Exeter vs. Pinkerton, brought to you by our friends over at Blue Water Mortgage.
Justin McIsaac & Jennifer Chick will have coverage of St. Thomas vs. Trinity.
Division I Statistical leaders: Division I leaders
Division II Statistical leaders: Division II leaders
Division III Statistical leaders: Division III leaders
Division I
Pinkerton Academy (6-2) at Exeter (7-1)
It’s simple: if the Astros win they are not only in but they could also earn the top seed in their half of the bracket. A loss though would likely eliminate the defending champions. That didn’t seem unlikely a month ago it seemed impossible.
The Astros have struggled at the line one week and against the pass the next. Friday night they face a longtime rival and one of the best coaches in New Hampshire. Few coaches have the mutual respect for one another that Bill Ball and Brian O’Reilly have earned, all of which makes this a playoff atmosphere Friday night.
Exeter is in but they want to ensure a pair of home playoff games on the road to Durham. Look for Astros linebackers Mike Curley & James Tulley to spy Blue Hawks tight end Hunter Long, the favorite target of second year quarterback Kyle Ball.
For a very good breakdown of all the playoff scenarios check out my friend Joe Marchilena’s excellent website: NHhighschool sports
Timberlane (6-2) at Merrimack (5-3)
The playoffs begin Friday night for two very good football teams. Merrimack is in a must-win situation, a spot they have been in the past few weeks. A win over Timberlane and some other pieces fall their way (Pinkerton losing to Exeter being one of them) could get Kip Jackson’s team in.
The Owls can lose and still get in but you don’t want a season this memorable to come down to monitoring twitter for scores. If Jason Hughes and the Owls take care of business they’re in the playoffs.
Keene (3-5) at Nashua North (5-3)
The Titans are in with a win but if we know one thing about Keene it is that they will go down fighting. Jon Luopa’s team has a bright future after a lot of underclassman were forced into starting roles a year before they were ready.
The team’s character is best exemplified by a senior offensive & defensive lineman named Benny, whose story you should read below, as told by his JV football coach.
Nashua North head coach Dante Laurendi should be on the short list of Division I coach of the year candidates.
Division II
St. Thomas (7-0) at Trinity (4-3)
The Saints on turf…..that is not going to be easy to slow down. Eric Cumba’s team is playing for a top seed and a pair of home playoffs games but their strength of schedule is getting in the way. A win over a good Pioneers team would help.
Steve Burns’ team has been the victim of a good team playing in a very good conference. Saikou Bah has been tremendous again running the football and he will find himself the focus of a good St. Thomas defensive line led by Matt Elliot, Will Micali and Jay Gallipo. A loss by Trinity and it is a long wait until they face Central in the Turkey Bowl.
Division III
The mystery was taken out of the final weekend of the season when Bishop Brady was able to hold off defending champion Campbell 27-13, eliminating the Cougars. Going into the final weekend here are your match-ups for the Division III first round:
Somersworth at Newport
Franklin at Winnisquam (oh boy…….rivalry game)
Bishop Brady at Inter-Lakes Moultonborough
Stevens at Bow
When Sports becomes something more
My third season as a high school football coach is coming to a close. The varsity team has two games left, and our playoff hopes rest in the hands of other teams. My JV team has had its share of struggles, but with a team made up of 90-95% freshman and sophomores, my expectations of an undefeated season have been curbed. All in all, it has been an unbelievable season full of moments high and low, but nothing comes close to what took place on the night of Friday, October sixteenth.
I’ve been a part of this particular senior class of football players for a majority of their football careers here at the high school. I’ve seen undersized, smart football players become varsity starters. I’ve seen down-in-the-dumps juniors break out and become contributors. I’ve seen nervous, apprehensive freshman blossom into all-state performers. It’s been one of the most exciting journeys of my life.
One constant, however, has been a senior offensive and defensive lineman named Benny. I’ve had the pleasure… No, I’ve had the blessing of coaching Benny in each of the three seasons I’ve been with Keene High football. He has consistently been one of the most positive, outgoing, excited players on and off the field, and his attitude is truly infectious. Every time we need a lineman in practice, offense or defense, he’s the first to step up. He has never once backed down from a challenge, regardless of opponent, and many of the younger players look up to him for that reason. The senior class has embraced his presence on the team, the coaching staff sings his praises each and every practice, and we constantly find ourselves asking, “Why don’t we have more kids like Benny?”
The last thing someone will tell you about Benny is that he is autistic. It has never once been an obstacle for Benny, in any aspect of his high school career, and his standing within the high school is truly the most amazing dynamic I have ever been a part of. He is beloved in the school, by his friends, and in the community, and coach John Luopa had an opportunity on Friday night to repay Benny for all the hard work and dedication he has shown the Keene High School football program for the past four years.
We found ourselves on Benny’s senior homecoming night with just a few minutes left in the game, and our offense had moved the ball inside the red zone. Coach Luopa turned to his assistant coaches and said, “Go get Benny used to the idea of taking some handoffs.” The crowd, in a lull thanks to a big lead, saw Benny taking handoffs on the sideline and whipped itself into an absolute frenzy.
Fourth down rolled around, and coach called for Benny to come in and take a handoff. Expectations didn’t go past that point; we weren’t sure what the result of the play would be. He picked up a first down, and Alumni Field exploded. Coach called another run for Benny, and this time the line created a hole that a seasoned veteran would find easily; Benny played the role beautifully. His second career carry took him into the endzone, and the feeling of elation that spread from the eleven players on the field to the sideline and the crowd beyond was indescribable.
The next few minutes, for me, became a blur–both literally and figuratively. I told anyone who would listen that I had tears in my eyes from the moment he took the field to the time we left the field, and I’m still getting choked up looking back. It’s a moment that will go down as one of the most memorable of my football career, and I can’t be more proud that I was able to be a part of it.
In a season full of emotional highs and lows, nothing comes close to what happened on Friday night. In a moment shared by a little more than a thousand people, Benny was able to bring his infectious joy and constant positivity to the lives of so many who will eventually find themselves asking, “Why don’t we have more kids like Benny?”
We will be busy once again Friday night as Pete Tarrier & the Great Jon Kesty will bring you full coverage of Exeter vs. Pinkerton, brought to you by our friends over at Blue Water Mortgage.
Justin McIsaac & Jennifer Chick will have coverage of St. Thomas vs. Trinity.
Division I Statistical leaders: Division I leaders
Division II Statistical leaders: Division II leaders
Division III Statistical leaders: Division III leaders
Division I
Pinkerton Academy (6-2) at Exeter (7-1)
It’s simple: if the Astros win they are not only in but they could also earn the top seed in their half of the bracket. A loss though would likely eliminate the defending champions. That didn’t seem unlikely a month ago it seemed impossible.
The Astros have struggled at the line one week and against the pass the next. Friday night they face a longtime rival and one of the best coaches in New Hampshire. Few coaches have the mutual respect for one another that Bill Ball and Brian O’Reilly have earned, all of which makes this a playoff atmosphere Friday night.
Exeter is in but they want to ensure a pair of home playoff games on the road to Durham. Look for Astros linebackers Mike Curley & James Tulley to spy Blue Hawks tight end Hunter Long, the favorite target of second year quarterback Kyle Ball.
For a very good breakdown of all the playoff scenarios check out my friend Joe Marchilena’s excellent website: NHhighschool sports
Timberlane (6-2) at Merrimack (5-3)
The playoffs begin Friday night for two very good football teams. Merrimack is in a must-win situation, a spot they have been in the past few weeks. A win over Timberlane and some other pieces fall their way (Pinkerton losing to Exeter being one of them) could get Kip Jackson’s team in.
The Owls can lose and still get in but you don’t want a season this memorable to come down to monitoring twitter for scores. If Jason Hughes and the Owls take care of business they’re in the playoffs.
Keene (3-5) at Nashua North (5-3)
The Titans are in with a win but if we know one thing about Keene it is that they will go down fighting. Jon Luopa’s team has a bright future after a lot of underclassman were forced into starting roles a year before they were ready.
The team’s character is best exemplified by a senior offensive & defensive lineman named Benny, whose story you should read below, as told by his JV football coach.
Nashua North head coach Dante Laurendi should be on the short list of Division I coach of the year candidates.
Division II
St. Thomas (7-0) at Trinity (4-3)
The Saints on turf…..that is not going to be easy to slow down. Eric Cumba’s team is playing for a top seed and a pair of home playoffs games but their strength of schedule is getting in the way. A win over a good Pioneers team would help.
Steve Burns’ team has been the victim of a good team playing in a very good conference. Saikou Bah has been tremendous again running the football and he will find himself the focus of a good St. Thomas defensive line led by Matt Elliot, Will Micali and Jay Gallipo. A loss by Trinity and it is a long wait until they face Central in the Turkey Bowl.
Division III
The mystery was taken out of the final weekend of the season when Bishop Brady was able to hold off defending champion Campbell 27-13, eliminating the Cougars. Going into the final weekend here are your match-ups for the Division III first round:
Somersworth at Newport
Franklin at Winnisquam (oh boy…….rivalry game)
Bishop Brady at Inter-Lakes Moultonborough
Stevens at Bow
When Sports becomes something more
My third season as a high school football coach is coming to a close. The varsity team has two games left, and our playoff hopes rest in the hands of other teams. My JV team has had its share of struggles, but with a team made up of 90-95% freshman and sophomores, my expectations of an undefeated season have been curbed. All in all, it has been an unbelievable season full of moments high and low, but nothing comes close to what took place on the night of Friday, October sixteenth.
I’ve been a part of this particular senior class of football players for a majority of their football careers here at the high school. I’ve seen undersized, smart football players become varsity starters. I’ve seen down-in-the-dumps juniors break out and become contributors. I’ve seen nervous, apprehensive freshman blossom into all-state performers. It’s been one of the most exciting journeys of my life.
One constant, however, has been a senior offensive and defensive lineman named Benny. I’ve had the pleasure… No, I’ve had the blessing of coaching Benny in each of the three seasons I’ve been with Keene High football. He has consistently been one of the most positive, outgoing, excited players on and off the field, and his attitude is truly infectious. Every time we need a lineman in practice, offense or defense, he’s the first to step up. He has never once backed down from a challenge, regardless of opponent, and many of the younger players look up to him for that reason. The senior class has embraced his presence on the team, the coaching staff sings his praises each and every practice, and we constantly find ourselves asking, “Why don’t we have more kids like Benny?”
The last thing someone will tell you about Benny is that he is autistic. It has never once been an obstacle for Benny, in any aspect of his high school career, and his standing within the high school is truly the most amazing dynamic I have ever been a part of. He is beloved in the school, by his friends, and in the community, and coach John Luopa had an opportunity on Friday night to repay Benny for all the hard work and dedication he has shown the Keene High School football program for the past four years.
We found ourselves on Benny’s senior homecoming night with just a few minutes left in the game, and our offense had moved the ball inside the red zone. Coach Luopa turned to his assistant coaches and said, “Go get Benny used to the idea of taking some handoffs.” The crowd, in a lull thanks to a big lead, saw Benny taking handoffs on the sideline and whipped itself into an absolute frenzy.
Fourth down rolled around, and coach called for Benny to come in and take a handoff. Expectations didn’t go past that point; we weren’t sure what the result of the play would be. He picked up a first down, and Alumni Field exploded. Coach called another run for Benny, and this time the line created a hole that a seasoned veteran would find easily; Benny played the role beautifully. His second career carry took him into the endzone, and the feeling of elation that spread from the eleven players on the field to the sideline and the crowd beyond was indescribable.
The next few minutes, for me, became a blur–both literally and figuratively. I told anyone who would listen that I had tears in my eyes from the moment he took the field to the time we left the field, and I’m still getting choked up looking back. It’s a moment that will go down as one of the most memorable of my football career, and I can’t be more proud that I was able to be a part of it.
In a season full of emotional highs and lows, nothing comes close to what happened on Friday night. In a moment shared by a little more than a thousand people, Benny was able to bring his infectious joy and constant positivity to the lives of so many who will eventually find themselves asking, “Why don’t we have more kids like Benny?”