The State of Football: New Hampshire

Staff Report

MaxPreps.com

Best Player: David Zocco, Sr, RB, Nashua South

With excellent size at 6-2, 195 pounds Zocco excels both at running back and safety for Nashua South. He gained 1,155 yards on 185 carries last year with 16 touchdowns. Returning Stat Leaders –  Rushing: David Zocco, Nashua South, 185-1,155 yards, 16 TDs.

Best All-Time Player: Greg Landry, Nashua High School
Most people around New Hampshire recognize Greg Landry’s as the state’s finest player. A native of Nashua, Landry had a remarkable career at the University of Massachusetts, and was later a first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions. He had brief stints with the Colts and Bears, before retiring with 16,000 career passing yards.

2008 Must See: Division I vs. Division II
The first week of games this season will have a new twist: top Division II teams will face off against top Division I teams. Nashua South, who finished first in the regular season in Division I, will take on Exeter, who finished first in Division II. Another prominent match up features Division II regular season runner up Bishop Guertin challenging Division I’s Pinkerton Academy. Victories by either Exeter or Guertin would be a major statement for Division II football.

On The Throne: Plymouth
No team in New Hampshire has been more dominant over the last decade than Plymouth. The Bobcats have won nine out of the last 11 Division III state titles. Head coach Chuck Lenahan has more in state wins than any New Hampshire coach ever, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Best Rivalry: Exeter vs. Bishop Guertin
Exeter and Bishop Guertin have a recent history unmatched by any other pair of schools in New Hampshire. They’ve met in the Division II state finals each of the last three years; Bishop Guertin had a streak of three state titles snapped last year when Exeter finally edged the Cardinals 14-13. The way Division II is shaping up this season, it could very well come down to Exeter and Bishop Guertin with everything on the line. 

Future Star: Eric Guinto, Jr., RB, Pinkerton Academy
Pinkerton Academy, who knocked off Nashua South in the Division 1 championship game last season, relied heavily on the legs of speedy sophomore running back Eric Guinto. Guinto rushed for over 100 yards, including an 81 yard touchdown run to propel the Astros to victory. For his efforts, Guinto was named Division 1 second team All-State, one of only two sophomores to crack the list.

Fun Fact
Football’s popularity seems to be growing in New Hampshire. Next season, the state will expand to include a sixth division. Over the past 10 years, there has been a gradual growth from the state’s traditional three Divisions. Plymouth, which has dominated Division III, will actually be moving down to Division IV next year, much to the delight of Division III coaches and the chagrin of Division IV opponents.