As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of New Hampshire for the 2009 season.
1. Bishop Guertin
Dynasties seem to flourish in the Granite State as at least three programs carry double-digit win streaks into the 2009 season. However a team with a modest four-game win streak tops the MaxPreps New Hampshire Top 5. The Bishop Guertin Cardinals could certainly be included in the dynasty discussion after winning four state championships in the past five seasons and posting a 61-9 record over the past six seasons. Cardinal coach Tony Johnson returns nine starters on defense and six on offense from a team that went 10-2 and won the Div. 2 state championship. The defense should be particularly strong for Bishop Guertin, which has all-state first-team linebacker Walker Kell (5-10, 205) returning along with all-division standouts Brett Kana (6-4, 265) on the line and Nick Phillips (5-9, 195) at linebacker. According to Johnson, the Cardinals will have good team speed and experience but will need to develop a quarterback. A 10-0 junior varsity squad moving up will help build depth.
2. Plymouth
When discussing dynasties, it doesn’t get any better than the Plymouth Bobcats. The owners of a 44-game win streak – the third longest active streak in the nation – Plymouth has won four straight titles under coach Charles Lenahan, who is one of the winningest coaches in the nation with an .830 winning percentage (309-63-1). Maintaining that win streak won’t be easy because nearly every all-state player from last year’s squad is gone, including all-state quarterback Rich Manzi and running backs Nick Barnes and Tim Farina. One key returnee is Jake Bissell, an honorable mention pick who will anchor the offensive line at center. Plymouth dropped down to Div. 4 last year after winning three straight titles at Div. 3. The result was a bundle of blowout wins, although Laconia played Plymouth close twice, including 14-7 in the state championship game. Those two teams meet on Oct. 10 when Plymouth, assuming the first five games of the season go well, could be attempting its 50th straight win.
3. Pelham
Another owner of a long win streak, Pelham has won back-to-back titles in Division 5 and 22 straight games. Offensive production shouldn’t be a problem for Pelham this year as it returns three all-state running backs to the lineup. Josh Luciano and Joe DeAngelo were both first-team picks last year in the backfield while Cameron Robidoux was an honorable mention selection. The defense also appears solid with all-state honorable mention picks Mike Lombard and Conor McColgan leading the way. The Pythons put the squeeze on the opponent last year, giving up just 84 points in 11 games and posting two shutouts over the final three weeks of the season including a 22-0 win over Aquinas in the final. Pelham’s streak will get a good test right out of the game as the Pythons travel to Trinity (8-2 last year) for their season opener.
4. Nashua South
The Purple Panthers came through in the clutch during last year’s playoff run toward at Division 1 championship. After defeating Pinkerton Academy 33-32 in the semifinals, Nashua South squeaked out a one-point win in the finals over Nashua North, 17-16, to claim the title. Coach Scott Knight returns seven starters on both sides of the ball from last year’s squad, including starting quarterback Keith Farkas, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound junior. Farkas has the team’s top two receivers from last year at his disposal with Nick Haskell (6-1, 180) and Nillson Basora (6-2, 165) providing big targets. Knight says that the defense will be solid with all-state linebacker Marty Voorhis returning for his senior season. Experience on the line is an early cause for concern for the Purple Panthers who lost all-state lineman Josh Rogalski to graduation.
5. Souhegan
Offense is not going to be a problem for Souhegan this year, which should be enough to have the rest of the Div. 3 teams shaking in their shoes. The Sabers scored at least four touchdowns in every game last year in posting a 12-0 record and scoring 425 points on the season. With nearly every key skill player returning, the Sabers should be able to slice up opposing defenses once again in 2009. Steven Jellison and DJ Petropulos were both all-division picks last year along with quarterback Colin Cray. Meanwhile receivers Tyler Wing and Nick Hession were honorable mention selections. Defensively, Souhegan should be improved with all-division defensive end Sean Cultrera and all-division safety Stephen Daigneau both returning. Returnees Matt Comstock (OLB) and Matt Eusebio (CB) were both honorable mention last year. Line play could be a question mark since most of the Souhegan starters have graduated.
Also considered: Trinity (8-2), Manchester Central (9-2), Pinkerton (8-4).
