The Pinkerton defense is our pick to stuff the rest of the New Hampshire competition this season.
Photo by Rich Woodfin
1. Pinkerton (Derry)
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Brian O'Reilly
Team preview
The Astros get the nod as the preseason No. 1 team thanks to nine returning starters, including the quarterback, from last year's 10-2 squad. Pinkerton lost to Exeter in the Division I championship game 23-13 after winning easily early in the season, 42-16. The upset was hailed by some scribes as one of the biggest upsets in Division I history. The Astros return a pair of standout backfield mates in junior running back
Manny Latimore (5-foot-11, 190 pounds, junior) and quarterback
Chris St. Onge (6-0, 185). The offensive line also returns a potential All-State pick in
Jake Bernaiche. The defense also figures to be solid with linebackers
Matt Madden and
Matt St. Onge. Pinkerton leads our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 New Hampshire football dynasties.
2. Exeter
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: William Ball
Team preview
Exeter avenged its only loss in 2011 by beating heavily favored Pinkerton in the Division I final. Exeter, which has won 13 state titles, will once again be in the thick of things thanks to the return of
Tyler Grant at running back. Grant came up big during the playoffs, rushing for 226 yards in a semifinal win over Nashua South. He's joined in the backfield by fellow second team All-State pick
Ethan Joyce, who moves to quarterback this year. The state of New Hampshire will find out very quickly which is the best team in the state, as Exeter and Pinkerton meet on Sept. 8. Exeter can be found often on the list of
New Hampshire state football champions for the past 10 years.
3. Manchester Central
2011 finish: 7-4
Head coach: Ryan Ray
Team preview
The Little Green lost four times last season, but two of them were to Exeter and Pinkerton. Manchester Central also handed Trinity (Manchester) its only loss and upset Nashua South. Coach Ryan Ray also returns one of the state's top signal callers in
Riely Cote, who earned All-State honors after throwing for 1,875 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. Manchester Central also has one of the state's top defensive backs in
Troy Pelletier. Search for Manchester Central players on our list of
2011 New Hampshire All-League football teams.
4. Bishop Guertin (Nashua)
2011 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Tony Johnson
Team preview
It's hard not to include the Cardinals somewhere in the mix after winning state titles the past four seasons and seven of the past eight years. The Cardinals should be solid on defense this year where potential All-State picks
Blake Boudreau (linebacker) and
Nick Marino (defensive back) return. Bishop Guertin tops our list of
New Hampshire's Top 10 most consistent football programs.
5. Trinity (Manchester)
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Steve Burns
Team preview
A Division IV power, Trinity has won two state titles in the past three seasons, including an 11-1 finish last year with the only loss coming against Manchester Central. The Pioneers are loaded once again with five starters back on offense and eight returning on defense. Leading the way is returning running back
Romeo Masuku, a 6-2, 195-pound load who also ranks as one of the state's top defensive backs. Others to watch include linebacker
Ryan Carrier (6-1, 225) at linebacker and
Colin Bouchard (6-1, 275) on the offensive line.
