Exeter is the top team in New Hampshire this season, according to our Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard. But don't overlook Pinkerton Academy, Nashua South, Winnacunnet and Concord.
Manny Latimore and Pinkerton Academy will contend to be the best team in New Hampshire this season.
File photo by Mark Camp
1. Exeter
Head coach: William Ball
2012 finish: 11-1
Team previewExeter,
which won last season's Division 1 championship in New Hampshire, will
be lacking in experience in the backfield, but will be bolstered with
its entire front seven returning. That includes all-state lineman
Neil Vorster, who doubles as a linebacker. Because of the offense the Blue
Hawks run, the straight T and Delaware Wing-T, that experience will be
what matters most. But it helps that they have a talented crop of
underclassmen coming of age. Watch out for 6-6 free safety
Max Medley, as well as linebackers
Ryan Kelly,
Mitch Harrington and
Zack Adler, and nose guard
Colin Richardson on defense.
"Guys will need to mature in the
offensive backfield," coach William Ball said. "We got about six or
seven kids vying for a position."
See the Top 15 New Hampshire football dynasties
2. Pinkerton (Derry)
Head coach: Brian O'Reilly
2012 finish: 10-2
Team previewLast
year's Division 1 runner-up brings back top-flight running back
Manny Latimore. Latimore ran for more than 1,400 yards in 2012 and appears to
be the top running back in the state.
"Pinkerton is a team that's always at the top," said William Ball, the coach for rival Exeter.
See last season's all-division teams from New Hampshire3. Nashua South
Head coach: Scott Knight
2012 finish: 6-6
Team previewThe
Purple Panthers, who return 14 of 22 starters from last season's
playoff run, will once again feature all-state quarterback
Trevor Knight. Knight, along with all-state defensive end/offensive tackle
Brayden Hollowell and all-state defensive tackle
Kelmy Anziani, will
help lead a younger, talented team, coach Scott Knight said.
"The strength of our team is we have a real solid junior class," Knight said. "And a good amount of our starters are sophomores. These young kids put a real good offseason in."
See last season's NHIAA playoff brackets
4. Winnacunnet (Hampton)
Head coach: Rob Auffant
2012 finish: 12-1
Team previewWith
12 players on the Division 2 all-state team in 2012, the Warriors are
sure to compete again. They'll just have to do so on the Division 1
level. They'll have all-state wide receiver
Alec Boucher to help with
the move.
5. Concord
Head coach: Eric Brown
2012 finish: 6-4
Team previewCoaches have pointed to Concord as this year's sleeper, a team with a deep pool of talent and a strong number of returnees.
"They
have a lot of kids back," said Exeter coach William Ball. "And they've
been knocking on the door. They got two good linebackers, they're really
good at wideout and experienced at running back."
