The 2023 title chase involved twenty teams tying to dethrone a champion who, even in their inner circles, could admit to winning the 2022 title a year early.

 Londonderry, Portsmouth-Oyster River, and Pinkerton were all terrific football teams, finishing the regular season with a combined 23-1 record. Still, in the end, no one would stop the Bedford Bulldogs from repeating.

 Led by a terrific offense and a defense that we will someday compare with the best of all time, Zach Matthews' Bulldogs outscored their playoff opponents 105-14 on their way to a second consecutive championship.

 As the 2024 season begins, Bedford looks to be the first Division I team to three-peat in twenty years. The twenty-one coaches I spoke with feel that while Bedford, Londonderry, and Pinkerton are still the teams to beat, the gap between the top teams and the rest of the field has narrowed.

 “ Last year, looking back, there was a sizeable gap between Bedford, Londonderry, even Portsmouth-Oyster River, and everybody else,” said one playoff coach we spoke to. “ I don’t believe that gap exists anymore.”

 Fellow coaches agreed.

 “ From talking to other head coaches in the division, the feeling is that you just want to get in (to the playoffs) and see where that gets you,” said another head coach.

 “ It will come down to who is playing their best and the healthiest at the end,” said another Division I head coach. “ Injuries, scheduling, and even a bit of luck play a role in your team's success. This season, more teams feel like they have a chance to make some noise in November.”

 I agree with the coaches I spoke to.

 As many as eight teams should compete for the final playoff spots, and the difference between a fourth-place finish and a seventh-place finish may be three or four bad possessions over the course of a long season.

 Today, in our first of four football previews, we look at the twenty-one Division I teams vying to finish where Bedford has the past two seasons.

 Our preview is brought to you by our partners at Coca-Cola Northeast Beverages!

 

 Division I

 2023 East Final Standings and Statistical Leaders

 ( *- Playoff Team)

 East Predicted Order

1. Exeter *

2. Spaulding *

3. Winnacunnet *

4. Timberlane

5. Portsmouth-Oyster River

6. Manchester Memorial

7. Dover

  

 Exeter Hall of Fame head coach Bill Ball stepped down as the school’s athletic director after the 2023-24 school year but remains the school’s football coach.

 What this means for his Division I rivals is that instead of being responsible for gassing up the boat for the Bass Fishing Team, one of the best New Hampshire high school coaches of all time gets to spend extra time getting ready for Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.

“ It’s been nice to focus solely on football,” said Ball. “ We have a good group, and they have put in the work to be successful this season.”

“ We have a lot of players back who have seen significant time on the field, and that has allowed us to hit the ground running here in the pre-season.”

 The Blue Hawks should be back in title contention this season behind an experienced core that defeated Keene in the first round of the playoffs last season before bowing out to Londonderry.

 Mike Caron steps into the quarterback role for the graduated Jack Bove. He will be joined in the backfield by a deep group of running backs led by returning leading rusher Daniel Batstone (565 yards), Tyler Bland, Jack Kavanaugh, Charlie Dulac, Phineas Reardon, and Ryan Marr.

“ The running backs are a very strong unit. It’s a good mix of experience and players who are ready for their opportunity,” said Ball.

 Tight end is a big weapon in the Blue Hawks offense, and they’ll be loaded at the position again with Sam Dulac and Tyler Graney ready to contribute immediately. 

 Center Kellen Bateman, Jackson Greene, Alex Ruuska, and Nolan Thomas will anchor the offensive line. “ We like how the group is coming along, but we still have the pre-season scrimmages to go,” says Ball. “ That’s where you can evaluate strengths and weaknesses.”

 Garrett White, Jackson Silber, Andrew Halepis, and Owen Wagner will also be on the offensive and defensive lines.

 Charlie Dulac will lead the defense at free safety, with brother Sam Dulac at OLB. They’ll be joined in the lineup by Tyler Graney (DE), Bateman (NT), and Bland (SS).

“ We are focused exclusively on (opening-week opponent) Dover. It’s about getting better every day and preparing for a tough game against one of our seacoast rivals,” said Ball.

“ They have put a ton of work in, and the players' attitude have been great,” said Ball. “ It’s going to be a challenge for us every week, and the kids are excited to get started.”

 Dan Hodgson takes over as head coach at Spaulding for former AD Kevin Hebert and inherits a playoff team looking to take the next step this season.

“ We have gotten off to a good start here in the pre-season, but it’s a lot of work in a relatively short amount of time,” said Hodgson, who served as an assistant coach under Hebert last season and was formerly the head coach at Somersworth.

“ We have a good group of upperclassmen and a strong freshmen group. Some of them will see time on the field this season.”

 Max Drena is competing for the starting quarterback job with Connor Jackson, and Hodgson expects both players to contribute immediately. “ It’s been a good competition. I like the size and depth we have in the backfield.”

 Seth Cortina returns after being the team’s second-leading rusher last season and will be joined by fellow returner Jonas Levesque. “ They’re bigger & stronger than they were a year ago, and in our offense, they’re going to be a lot of carries this season,” said Hodgson.

 Sophomore Jackson Shapleigh will line up at tight end alongside an offensive line anchored by returning starters Wesley Chesser (“He has looked great here in the pre-season,” said Hodgson), Matt Gould, and guard Hunter Patch. 

“ We have a good core on the offensive and defensive lines; it’s about how we fill in around them that is our focus there,” said Hodgson.

 The Rochester 8th grade team won the championship a year ago, and standout freshman RB/LB Colby Lambert is amongst a group of underclassmen who will step in and play right away. “ We are bringing them along slowly but excited about their potential,” said Hodgson.

 Cortina and Levesque will line up at linebacker, while Jayden Deal (“He’s been a standout in practice.”) and Aiden Locke will lead the Red Raiders' secondary.

“ The vibe has been very good, and the kids are excited to start,” said Hodgson. 

  Ryan Francouer’s Winnacunnet Warriors are only three years removed from a 2021 championship game appearance against Londonderry, but last season might have felt like it happened decades ago.

 An inexperienced Warriors team that featured only six seniors on the roster fell to 1-8 and out of playoff contention early. “ This program has had sustained success, so taking our lumps like that was tough,” admitted Francouer. “ We also knew we had a very good core of underclassmen, so while we were not winning games, we were gaining experience.”

“ When you go through tough times, you learn a lot about the guys you have.”

 The Warriors return eight starters on offense and nine on defense, with the expectation that they will fight for a playoff spot through October. “ That is the goal. To get back to the post-season.”

 Riley McDaniel returns at quarterback, giving the Warriors experience and size (6’5) behind center. “ Riley has had a good pre-season and has put the work in to take the next steps as a player,” said Francouer.

 Junior Sean Griffin gives the Warriors depth as the backup. 

 Mason McDonald and Dom Mancini return as running backs. Dylan Palmer, poised for a breakout season, and Jaxon McDonald will lead the receiving corps.

“ We have had a lot of competition at the skill position spots, and that only will make us better as a team,” said Francouer.

 Logan Lochiatto will contribute right away at tight end and will joined on the offensive line by returning starters Anthony Magri, Alex Batchelder, and Elias Spalding. “ One of the strengths of this team is the depth we feel we have on the offensive and defensive lines,” said Francouer.

 Defensively, Mason McDonald will lead the linebackers along with DJ Sciacca, while Palmer is an all-state-level cornerback. Spalding and Magri will line up at defensive end and tackle for a now-experienced Warriors defense.

“ It’s a day-by-day building process. We need to see the results on the field and gain confidence because this group is capable of a big improvement this season,” said Francouer.

“ We open with Portsmouth-Oyster River, so there is no easing into it. We will need to be ready to compete, and right now, I’m happy with how we are coming together as a group.”

 The Timberlane Owls should be right back in playoff contention behind head coach Kevin Fitzgerald and the return of their starting quarterback, Jeremy Mlocek.

“ I like the group we have; having quarterback experience is a big plus,” said Fitzgerald. “ Like many teams, building depth and staying healthy will be important.”

 Mlocek is a three-sport athlete with good command of the offense and improved mechanics after working with quarterback guru Trevor Knight over the off-season. “ He works very hard at his game, and I expect a big season from him,” said Fitzgerald.

 Liam Kelley will see time in the backfield alongside Tucker Carron and Gio Rosseau. Receivers Matt Fitzgerald, Charlie Marsh, Mike Santosuosso, and Spencer Bryan will join them in the skill positions.

“ We have speed amongst that group, and I’ve been encouraged by how they are coming along in the pre-season,” said Fitzgerald.

 Caleb Goldman will anchor the offensive and defensive lines and will be joined on defense by Kyle Limblatt, Jordan Carey, Noah Kunnen, Dylan & Ryan Reiger, and Yvonne Carson.

“ There are opportunities on the field to make an impact because we don't have a lot of experience at the skill positions,” said Fitzgerald. “ I have a lot of confidence in our ability to improve week to week. Right now, it’s about working hard and being consistent.”

 Replacing twenty-two seniors off of a 9-1 season is the task for Portsmouth-Oyster River head coach Brian Pafford and his veteran staff. 

 With only one starter returning on offense and defense (it's the same kid), this season will be about the underclassmen's ability to step into more significant roles. "It's a whole new look for us this season," said Pafford. "We have a lot of holes to fill, but there was also a core group of players who could have started last season, but they were stuck behind a senior."

"They're ready for their opportunity."

 Junior Andy Brown takes over at quarterback for the graduated Aiden Thomas ("He's a very intelligent kid with good touch on his throws," said Pafford) and will be joined in the backfield by Porter Lalime, who had six rushing touchdowns last season, Aayan Bliss and blocking back Will Fagan.

 Bliss will also line up at receiver and be joined by Cote Bellaud, who looks poised for a breakout season. "Cote has been our best receiver in the pre-season and will serve as a really good weapon for us," said Pafford.

 Colton Brissard is the Clipper Cats' lone returning starter on the offensive line and DE/DT and will anchor a new-look line on both sides of the ball. 

 "We have competition at nearly every position on the line, and that's a battle that will go down to the last week of the pre-season," said Pafford. "How players perform in our scrimmages will be important to watch."

 Lalime and Fagan will lead the linebacking unit, while Bliss will get the start at cornerback.

"We graduated a special group of seniors and lost our best running back & linebacker (Brooks Connors) to prep school, but we have players who have worked hard over the off-season and earned an opportunity to play," said Pafford. 

 "Over one hundred players came out, so the program is in a good place. It may take us some time to come together, but I'm confident we'll improve week to week and see where that gets us in November."

 Manchester Memorial will look to compete for a playoff spot under head coach Rob Sturgis with a young core. 

“ We’ll be young again, but we have some experience at key positions,” said Sturgis. “ If we can find that chemistry as a unit, we can be very competitive this season.”

 Senior Brady Harrison takes over at quarterback and will be joined at the skill positions by slot receiver Collin Beaulieu and the running back combo of Mohammed Olanrewaju and Jacob Shuff. 

“ We have a lot of speed and very good athletes at the skill positions,” said Sturgis. “ I see Mohammed having a very good season."

" Collin is a player we want with the ball, so we will play several positions.”

 Kamden Wing and Mateus Becker give the Crusaders a pair of weapons at tight end to play alongside starter Joel Gomez.

 The offensive and defensive lines will be anchored by three-year starter Jack Paradis, Aaden Pulter, freshmen Ashton Patnaude (“He’s going to be a good one,” said Sturgis), Jamel Pena-Ramirez and Darius Rodriguez.

 “How you perform at the line of scrimmage is a huge factor in your success as a team,” said Sturgis. “ They are coming along and have the potential to be a strength of our team.”

 Lucas Brown will lead the secondary, playing alongside all-state basketball standout Bory Bory. At the same time, Ledum Adumene (“He is an outstanding athlete,” said Sturgis) and Kaden Pelletier will lead the linebacking group.

 “ We only have twelve seniors on the roster, so there has been an opportunity for underclassmen to step into significant roles right away,” said Sturgis.

“ Our goal is to be there in the playoff race and play our best football at the end of the season.

  Eric Cumba’s Dover Green Wave is rebuilding after losing twenty-one seniors to graduation and two sophomore receivers, Ben Allen and Amari Lewis, to prep school.

“ Last year, the first day of practice felt like a continuation from the previous season,” said Cumba. “This year, a lot more teaching and evaluation is happening because we are a brand new team.”

 Ryder Aubin graduated after finishing his senior season as the division's second-leading (yards) passer. Grant Davis, Cooper Gagne, and Blake St. Laurent are in open competition for his job. 

 Cumba is excited about the talent and potential of his skill position players. “ We have a ton of athletic ability and good speed. We just need experience.”

 Tony D’Andrea, Joey Leonardi, and Gabe Murdough will lead the running backs, while the receiving corps will feature tight end Kayden Joy, Nate Wood (working his way back from injury), Cam Grund, and Morgan Levesque.

 Two starters return on the offensive line, which Tobey Desroches and Liam McNeal will anchor. 

 The defense will feature Coen Monahan at linebacker, Davis at defensive back, and Desroches at defensive tackle.

“ We have the athletes, and now it is our job as coaches to teach them and put them in the best position to be successful,” said Cumba.

 

 2023 Central Final Standings and Statistical Leaders

 Central Predicted Order

1. Londonderry *

2. Salem *

3. Pinkerton Academy *

4. Alvirne *

5. Windham *

6. Manchester Central *

7. Concord

 The reloading, not re-building cliche gets tossed around quite a bit, but when it applies, it applies, and with the Londonderry Lancers, as several college-bound performers depart, several more are there to replace them.

“ We lost a very successful group of seniors last season. Replacing them isn’t something that happens right away,” said head coach Jimmy Lauzon. “With that being said, we have thirty-one seniors on this team who want to make their mark like teams before them.”

“ We feel like the seniors set the foundation, and the group we have has been waiting and are ready for their opportunity.”

 The experience begins at quarterback, where Sam Ogden threw for 396 yards last season and ran for 457 while sharing signal-calling duties with three other players. “ He has that senior poise where he understands exactly what we are looking to do offensively and where the guys around him are supposed to be.”

 Alex Villa returns to the quarterback rotation after throwing for 183 yards last season and has the complete confidence of his head coach. “ There’s no drop-off, and Alex has a lot of strengths that help you win games.”

 Carson Palma, the Lancers’ third leading rusher a year ago, returns and will be joined in the backfield by Adrian Cruz and Jordan Ball. “ I like the toughness of (the running back) unit,” said Lauzon.

 Devin Boles returns at wide receiver along with Mason Paquette, giving Londonderry a pair of all-state-level receivers to look to.

 Caiden Malek will line up in the slot for a deep receiving group. “ I like the depth we have at the skill positions,” said Lauzon.

 The biggest transition will be on the offensive and defensive lines, as three starters, including all-state standout Tyler Miles (now at UNH), have graduated. 

 Paul Binder is one of the best football players in the state, and so is Colin Couture. How the line fills in around them will be a key for the Lancers. “We have a great base to build from, but players are stepping into more significant roles. That’s always an adjustment,” said Lauzon.

“ Binder and Couture will need to play both ways, which makes building depth and getting more players on the field essential.”

 Cooper Freitas will anchor the defensive line alongside Binder and Couture, while Colby Walden will lead a group of linebackers who will play alongside four new starters in the secondary.

“ We have a big sophomore class, and there is an opportunity for players to earn playing time all over the field,” said Lauzon. “ You take a look at our schedule, and it is difficult from the very start with Salem and St. Johns Prep (MA) out of the gate. So there is going to be some bumps along the way.”

“ What matters most is how we are playing come November. The focus is getting better every day, and players are coming together so we can compete with any team in our division.”

 Steve Abraham is a successful financial planner, so he understands it can take time to see the rewards of your investment. 

 For his Salem Blue Devils football team, that time is now.

“ We return ten starters on both sides of the ball and had one of the best off-seasons I’ve seen as head coach,” said Abraham. “ We have great depth, a lot of experience after playing two playoff games last season, and plenty of talent. Now it’s about seeing how we stack up against the best teams in the state.”

 The Blue Devils won’t have to wait very long. They open the season by hosting the Londonderry Lancers in a game we will be covering.

 A match-up on opening night that feels like one of those made-for-TV games in the NFL.

 Quarterback Nolan Lumley is the only starter who graduated last season. Jacob Chartienitz and CJ Goss are competing for the starting job in the pre-season. “ Both players have made a strong push, and I see both helping us win games this year,” said Abraham. 

 The team’s three leading rushers, Kevin Todisco (761 yards rushing last season), Felix Gonzalez (459), and Jordan Zannini (219), all return and will be joined at the skill positions by wide receiver Calen Smith and tight end Brody Longtin. 

 “ We have eleven skill guys that we feel really confident in, so the challenge as a coaching staff is to get them all on the field as much as possible,” said Abraham.

 All five starters return on the offensive line. That unit is led by a 6’4, 250 lb. Anthony West, Ralph Tasjian, Jimmy Nelson, Roman Mosher and Aaron Masson. “ I’ve been impressed by their job in the pre-season,” said Abraham. “ They are a hard-working, technically sound group that works well together.”

 The defense will be led by the lineman in the trenches, Talen Walton and Dan Hughes (working his way back from injury) at linebacker, Gonzalez at safety, and Smith, a four-year starter at cornerback.

 “ We have a difficult schedule, so improving by the week and staying as healthy as we can will be key, just like it is for any team,” said Abraham.

 “ I love the focus and dedication of this group. We are excited to get started.”

 The Pinkerton Academy Astros, who compete for the state championship annually, are set to do it again. However, this season, they will be doing so with a significant number of new players on the offensive and defensive lines. 

 "We lost a lot of good players up front, so developing the offensive & defensive line groups has been a real focus in the pre-season," said Hall of Fame head coach Brian O'Reilly.

 "We will be competing for a championship again, but we have some ground to make up on the best teams in the division today."

 Junior Aiden McDonald takes over at quarterback for the graduated Tim Hersom and has the complete confidence of his head coach. "Aiden has been waiting for his opportunity and looked very good for us in the pre-season," said O'Reilly. "He's going to be a good one."

 The Astros' running back position will again be a strength, as all-state back Matt Morrison returns after rushing for 623 yards last season. "Matt is extremely fast and a very smooth runner," said O'Reilly. "When he gets going, it almost looks like he's gliding."

 Joining him in a loaded backfield will be speedster Jamie Isaac. "He is blazing fast," said O'Reilly. "We have no issues at running back. Jamie and Matt were stars on our indoor and outdoor track teams."

 O'Reilly calls the tight end position the deepest on the roster, as five players will play it, led by brothers James and Anthony Caruso. "We are so deep at tight end that we considered moving a few to the offensive line, but we chose not to."

 There is also depth at wide receiver with the return of Cam Dillon and Cam Joy.

 The new-look offensive and defensive lines will be anchored by John Hanlon, a captain who missed last season due to injury, and fellow captain Caiden Morrow. "Having two captains leading a new group gives us a lot of confidence as a coaching staff," said O'Reilly. 

 The defense will be led by Landon Mackiernan (who will also play tight end), Ben Quintiliani, Joseph Osanya, James Caruso at linebacker, and Morrison in the secondary.

"We are a work in progress, but we will get there," said O'Reilly. "We have a lot of confidence in this group."

 You’d be hard-pressed to name a better debut than the one Matt Lee had as Alvirne’s head coach last season. 

 Coming off a 0-9 campaign, the Broncos finished .500 (4-4) and qualified for the Division I playoffs. 

 Twelve seniors graduated from that team, but with their starting quarterback back from injury and five returning starters on the offensive line, the goal has shifted from just getting into the playoffs to trying to make some noise once they arrive. 

 “ We have a good senior group, and if there is one unit you value experience, it's on the offensive and defensive lines,” said Lee. “ What we lack right now is depth. We have healthy numbers in the program and a lot of opportunity to contribute.”

 Charlie Crawford won our CCSNH/Adrenaline Fundraising Player of the Week early in the season but suffered a season-ending injury shortly after. 

 Healthy again, Crawford resumed his role as a quarterback as Shawn Boudreau, who stepped into the role last season, returns to a skill position role. “ Having Charlie back has been great, and we have the added bonus of Shawn's experience,” said Lee.

 Junior Ethan Dudley will also serve as backup for a unit Lee sees as a strength. “ I have a lot of confidence in all three players.”

 Mike Landmesser gives the Broncos quickness in the backfield and will be joined by Brody Orr and Charlie Barrett.

 Tight end Ryan Rocheleau, Quintin Tetreault, and slot receiver Gabe will lead a new-look receiving group. 

 “ We lost the core of our skill players, so the weekly improvement in that group will be a key for us,” said Lee.

 The play in the trenches should be a strength as all five starters, led by Andrew Deely, Liam Bowie, Shayne Mackey, Cam Steed, and Devin Scott, return. 

 Defensively, Rocheleau and Tetreault will lead the linebacking group along with Boudreau at defensive end and Orr and Jeremiah Yi in the secondary.

 “ Building depth is going to be the key for us if we want to compete for another playoff spot. So the improvements, day to day, become crucial,” said Lee.

 “ This is a group that loves the game and understands the hard work you have to put into it. It’s a fun group to work with every day.”

 Very few teams want their pre-season scrimmages available to opposing teams on video, but having your game streamed live from Ireland puts the Windham Jaguars in a category of their own. 

 The Jaguars traveled to Ireland for a pre-season game they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

 " We are so proud of our players for representing our town," said Bryne. "Our team got an amazing experience and showed some flashes on the field of a team that can do some big things this year."

 The Jaguars were the last team to qualify for the playoffs a year ago, and their reward was traveling to Londonderry as the 13th seed. As Jack Bryne heads into the 2024 season, he hopes for a much better draw this time around.

“ We have re-loaded pretty well, and it’s a group that loves to work together,” said the 6th-year head coach.

“ We have depth at key positions, underclassmen ready to step up and experience from battling for the final playoff spot last year. We feel like we will be a team that will compete hard for four quarters and be pretty tough to beat.”

 Kevin Murphy takes over at quarterback for the graduated Billy DePeitro. “Kevin is a hard worker and runs the option offense very well,” said Bryne. “He has an excellent arm, so we feel really good about our ability to move the ball through the air.”

 Hayden Tedesco and sophomore Mike Brearley will lead a new-look backfield.

 Slot receivers Cam Williams, Mike Lisa, Griffin Driscoll, Jackson Blanco, and Brandon Jacobs will lead the receiver/tight end unit. 

“ We have a strong senior class,” said Bryne. “ A lot of players who were probably ready for more snaps last season but were playing behind a senior. They’re ready for their turn.”

 Luke Sweeney anchors the offensive and defensive lines and will join Christian Parsons and Matt Kabouris in the trenches.

“ There is really good camaraderie with that group under line coach Mike Sweeney,” said Bryne. “ They have been a strong unit for us in the pre-season.”

 Reid Lambert will play alongside Kabouris at linebacker on a defense led by defensive lineman Liam Shambo, Jake Michalik, safety Ryan Doherty, all-state basketball standout Jack Koutrobis, Parker Francis, Rob Durkin, as well as Williams & Lisa at cornerback.

“ Our goal is to get back to the playoffs and take that next step,” said Bryne. “ We want to win a playoff game. We want to play our best football in November and see where that takes us.”

“ I feel like that we have a team who can do that.”

 The Manchester Central Little Green looks like a playoff team, with nine starters returning and experience on both sides. "We have players that will be starting for the third straight season, so we have been able to get off to a good start in the pre-season," said longtime head coach Ryan Ray.

"We have a bunch of good people on the team and the staff. That gives us a lot of confidence going into the season."

 Cayden Salvi returns at quarterback and looks poised for a big season. "Cayden is one of our three-year starters. He's been in big games and understands what we are trying to do and where players need to be."

 Trevor Wong is an all-state-level running back for the Little Green and will be joined in a deep backfield by Lleyton Brault, Remy Content, and converted wide receiver Wyatt Fougere. "We feel very good about that unit," said Ray. "They are going to be playing on both sides of the ball, so depth is a key for us, so we are not wearing guys down."

 Owen Taylor, Liam King, and Cody England will lead a talented group of receivers, while the offensive line will be a strength with four starters returning.

 Nick Barbee, Matt Koenig, Jesus Contreras, and Jacoby Sanchez will anchor the offensive and defensive lines.

"We have the experience, but at the same time, we were a two-win team a year ago, so all that matters is how much have we improved?" said Ray.

"We will be a better team this season, but we play tough games every week; it's about executing, staying healthy, and closing out games."

"It has been a fun atmosphere at practice, and we have a group anxious to compete and prove itself."

 The Concord Crimson Tide began the 2023 season with playoff aspirations, but injuries continued to pile up, and eight different starters, including 2022 rushing champ Eli Bahuma, missed time. 

"We worked hard to build depth, but it would be hard for any team to sustain those many injuries," said head coach James Corkum. "It was a tough year all the way around."

 With eighty players in the program and seventeen seniors on the roster, Concord should be back in playoff contention again, led by quarterback Colby Nyhan's return.

 "Colby is a terrific athlete; he is an all-state standout in track," said Corkum. "He's put the work in and had a strong seven-on-seven season. He's a player who has taken his lumps, learned the position, and looks good here in the pre-season."

 Tim Fahnbulleh gives the Tide speed in the backfield and is joined in the running back rotation by Colin Savard and Sawyer McCready.

 Concord boasts a talented group of receivers, led by three-year starter Brett Tuttle, Trevor Craigue, Angelino Rodriguez ("He has looked great in the pre-season," said Corkhum), Travis Dunbar, and tight end Ben Ryder. 

"We feel very good about our skill position players. The focus is to build up the depth behind them," said Corkum.

 Wayne Guiterrez-Sakakeeny is a standout on the offensive and defensive lines. In the trenches, he will be joined by Kenny Mercado and Van MacIver.

 The defense will be led by middle linebacker Nate Gailbraith, a three-year starter, and Travis Dunbar at linebacker alongside Nyhan, Tuttle, and Craigue in the secondary.

"We are very comfortable with the group we will put out on the field; it's about building depth," said Corkum. "We have a big freshmen class, and there will be opportunities for underclassmen to work their way up the depth chart."

"Last season was a disappointment, but we have focused on improving every day, and the attitudes and effort level have been very good in the pre-season."

 

 

2023 West Final Standings and Statistical Leaders

 West Predicted Order

 ( Ed Note: The difference between the teams after Keene is about a score or less...it'll be that close)

1. Bedford  *

2. Nashua North  *

3. Keene *

4. Merrimack *

5. Bishop Guertin 

6. Goffstown

7. Nashua South

 

  The Bedford Bulldogs are in rarified air as they try to become the first Division I team to three-peat since Manchester Central in 2004.

  Head coach Zach Matthews knows that's the focus of the pre-season, but he wants to make it clear that it isn't his focus.

 "Whole new team, whole new season. Our motto this year is 'Earn it' because, as a group, that has to be our focus day to day," said Matthews.

 "We lost a tremendous senior class that earned back-to-back titles, and while we have players ready for their opportunity, it'll be a real challenge against the teams on our schedule."

 One of those players ready to step into a more significant role is quarterback Jack Maye, who has backed up Danny Black for the past two seasons. "He's been in the program and working in our practices, waiting for his turn," said Matthews. "He's going to have a very good season for us."

 There is little intrigue at the #1 running back where junior Brody Helton returns after leading Division I in rushing with 1,200 rushing 17 touchdowns during the regular season.

"To me, he is the best running back in the state," said Matthews, echoing a popular opinion. "He puts the work in year-round, and his vision with the football continues to improve."

 Noah Cassamassino will line up at H-back and be joined at the skill positions by WR Bennett Matthews, who will also see time at quarterback. "We have some packages designed to give us different looks," said Matthews. "We will use him at a couple of different spots on the field."

 Dean Poltronieri and Peter Suozzo return as wide receivers and are expected to contribute immediately. "Peter has terrific speed and will also be a key contributor for us at cornerback," said Matthews.

 The line should be a strength again as three starters return. Jake Sheff and tackle Brennen Krause are all-state-level performers, while junior Connor Flaherty is about to become the focus of opposing coaches every week. 

 "Connor is about to have his breakout season; he's just looked tremendous here in the pre-season," said Matthews. "He's a game-changer and someone who will play at the next level someday."

 The Bulldogs' title runs were led by as good a defense as I have seen in my sixteen seasons of coverage.

 With only two starters returning, it's a new-look unit with the word potential attached.

 "We have the pieces; it's about how we come together as a unit over the course of the season," said Matthews.

 Flaherty will anchor the defense upfront alongside Gavin McConnell and DT Matt Benn, while Cassamassino and Helton will line up as linebackers in front of Suozzo and Matthews in the secondary.

 "We had the luxury of not having to use Brody on defense last year. We will need to this season," said Matthews.

 "We are going to lean on our running game early as we come together as a team," said Matthews. We have a lot of confidence in this group, and they are ready to prove themselves again."

 A year ago, the Nashua North Titans won every close contest they played, including a 21-17, down-to-the-wire win over Bishop Guertin and a playoff-clinching 21-18 victory over Keene.

 The issue was the games against the three title contenders on their schedule, as Chad Zibolis’s team was outscored 107-14 by Bedford, Londonderry, and Exeter. 

 A 27-14 playoff win preceded a 20-0 loss to a then-undefeated Portsmouth team, a strong regular season by any measure.

 In 2024, Zibolis has a team ready to close the gap on the best teams in the state and one that can make some noise come November.

“ This has been a fun group to work with,” said Zibolis. “ They are working to take the next step as a team. We have a lot of experience returning, but how the underclassmen step up into more significant roles will tell you how we will do this season.”

 John Canaway, returning from injury, is back at quarterback and should return soon.

 In the meantime, Sophomore Dharyus Sisay is seeing time behind center. “We are looking forward to having John back,” said Zibolis. “ He is a very good passer and a player with experience in our offense.”

“ Dharyus is very athletic, and he changes the look of our offense. We have created packages to take advantage of his speed, so whether he plays quarterback or not, we will get the ball in his hands.”

 Coming off a strong season on the JV team, Kobe Perry will see time in the backfield along with lead blocking back Jedwin Lluveres. “ We have three or four players competing for carries, so we are happy with the depth at that position.”

 A deep group of receivers is led by four-year starter Luke Peters at slot receiver (“Luke sets a great example for the rest of his teammates,” said Zibolis. “ He will be a captain for us this season.”) along with Dylan Noble, Mason Sartor, and Jayden Beaulieu.

 The line will be led by standout sophomore David Lago (“It’s rare to put a freshmen lineman out on the field, but he earned his time and played very well,” said Zibolis.).

 At the same time, linebacker Darius Smith and DT Jack Krulikowski will join Peters (a four-year starter at OLB.

 Dylan Noble and Sisay will lead what Zibolis describes as a very fast secondary.

“ We have a lot of confidence in the group we’ll put on the field, but depth is an issue. We have to build that up week to week if we want to be competing with the Bedfords, Pinkerton, and Londonderry's in November.”

 By all accounts, the Keene Blackbirds had a very successful 2023 season, finishing with a .500 record and qualifying for the playoffs. 

 Head coach Linwood Patnode feels it could have been even better and hopes his team can take another step forward this season. "I was very happy with our team's effort level, but as a coach, I was frustrated we lost close games to both Salem and Nashua North," said Patnode.

"Those are two good teams that are very well coached. We made some mistakes that cost us, and this year's focus is finishing those games out." 

 Senior Kasen Abbott is a standout basketball player who will get the start behind center this season. Joining him at quarterback will be sophomore Brayden French, who continues to impress his head coach with his maturity and ability. "He's one of those kids you can't keep off the field," said Patnode. "He's a terrific baseball player as well, so he just understands how to compete."

 Wyatt Avery graduated as one of the top rushers in the division last year, but returning starter Sawyer Lepple gives the Blackbirds another all-state back to hand the ball to. "Sawyer is a gifted athlete, and he looked terrific in the pre-season," said Patnode. "I don't expect any drop off at the position."

 Lepple will be joined in the backfield by Payton Gowell and Colin Tinnin.

 Standout Evan Ray, Cam Olivio, Jacob Wallace, and Tyler English will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. "We have a good group of linemen, but depth is an issue," said Patnode. "We will need to develop players and stay healthy."

 Abbott will lead the defense at outside linebacker and be joined by Griffin Yardley, Miles Derosrosiers, and Aidan Ionnou.

 Michael Hansen and Derek Wiegers will help anchor the defensive line. 

 "Fifty players put us near the bottom as far as players on the roster, but the work put in at the youth levels is paying off," said Patnode, who has been focused on the growth of youth football in Keene.

"We have 156 players between the ages of eight and thirteen playing flag and tackle football, so that's very encouraging."

"We feel confident we will fight for a playoff spot again, and our focus will be on playing our best football at the end of the season."

 The Merrimack Tomahawks will look to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2023 campaign and return to the playoffs under head coach Kip Jackson. 

“ We had some injuries that hit us hard last season, but we also were not able to close out close games late in the season,” said Jackson. 

 Sahil Mujawar returns at quarterback after throwing for 874 yards last season and has impressed his head coach in the preseason. “ He has progressed and has a good understanding of what we are running,” said Jackson. “ He gives us a dual threat in the backfield.”

 Joining Mujawar will be a running back by a committee that was still sorting itself out when I spoke to Jackson in the pre-season. “ We have several players battling for playing time and reps. It’s been a good competition,” said Jackson.

“ We feel like we have good depth at the skill positions.”

 Colby Smith, Kyle Allagaire, and Ethan Way will anchor the offensive and defensive lines, and Jackson hopes depth develops over the course of the season.

“ We have experience on the lines and the ability to make plays at the skill positions. The fact that no one has been handed a starting job has led to some very competitive practices,” said Jackson.

 Nick Francke, a four-year starter on the defensive line, will anchor a defense featuring Nathan Sadia and linebackers Johnathan Sadis and Riley Grady.

 “ I’ve been happy with the attitude and effort level. We’ve been lucky to have one of the coolest pre-season’s weather-wise that I can remember,” joked Jackson. “ We are putting the work in, and the goal is to return to playoffs again.”

 Bishop Guertin will be re-loading this season under Anthony Nalen after losing twenty-two seniors to graduation.

 A talented core of underclassmen will need time to gel, but the Cardinals expect to make a playoff push once again. 

“ The expectation is to make the playoffs; that’s the standard that has been set,” said Nalen. “ We have a lot of potential, but we are a young team, and you see that in practices & scrimmages."

 "Sometimes I see a playoff team, and other times I see a team that needs a lot of improvements. We’ll come together as a team; it will just take time. We may have as many as six sophomores starting for us.”

 A pair of sophomores are battling for the starting quarterback role, and Nate Bowen and Andre Steinbrueck are both expected to get snaps behind center. “ They both have shown flashes, and each is going to get their opportunity,” said Nalen.

 The Cardinals should be deep at running back, as AJ Holmes, Hudson Schmittt, and Logan Curran will all contribute immediately. 

 The depth continues at the skill positions, where Sam Fayad, Alex Dolan, Ryan Connelly, and Ky Martin will step in and play immediately. “ We emphasized summer workouts, which has allowed us to hit the ground running,” said Nalen.

 The offensive line should be a strength, led by a much improved Aaron Chmielecki, Dominick Grande, Bishop Kearns, Rhyan Scanlon, and newcomer Christian Neal.

 Defensively, Curran will play middle linebacker alongside Miller Nichols, while defensive ends Adam Paveglio & Chmielecki will play in front of Cole Reeves in the secondary.

 “ I’ve been happy with our progress,” said Nalen. “ We have battles every week, so getting better every day and gaining experience is the key.”

 It’ll be a new-look Goffstown team this year, not only on the field but also on the sideline.

 John Preston takes over as head coach after the Grizzlies limped to a 1-8 record last season.

“ The program went through a downswing, but there is real momentum building in the pre-season,” said Preston. “Goffstown is a great sports town; we want to build the program back up.”

 Jayden Pares started in an opening-night win over Nashua South a year ago (in a game we covered) but suffered a season-ending injury shortly after. 

 With Pares back, Preston likes the look of his new offense. “ Jayden is one of the best quarterbacks in the state and someone we can rely on. He leads us at a high level, and you can see his confidence since he returned.”

 Pares will be joined in the backfield by running back Billy Schmidt, Jurgen Gannon, Hunter Long, and Mason LeClerc.

“ We are going to rotate all four, and each will see a good amount of carries,” said Preston. “ In the offense we run, you need depth at that position, and we have it.”

 Jayden Hastings looks poised for a breakout season at wide receiver (“ He has looked great in the pre-season,” said Preston) and will line up alongside tight end Tyler Simard, who also looks poised for a big season.

“ Ty had to play out of position last year due to injuries, so getting him back to tight end, where he can serve as a real weapon for us, has been big,” said Preston.

 Max Cote, Jacob Gagne, Gavin Leach, and sophomore Antonio Hebert will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. “ It is a very athletic group, and they fit in well with what we are running,” said Preston.

 Gannon will help lead the defense as a linebacker, playing alongside Carter Charest, Simard, and all-state-level safety Pares, who Preston raves about. “ He has all the tools to play at the next level as a safety.”

 With sixty-five players in the program, Preston wants the enthusiasm to lead to more players. “ I’ve been recruiting the hallways since January,” joked Preston.

" We are having a lot of fun, and the kids are gaining confidence. They are excited to compete.”

 With a big junior class ready to take the next step, Nashua South could be one of the most improved teams in the division this season. 

“ We have eighty players in the program and good participation in the off-season weight room program,” said head coach Scott Knight. “ We are hoping to compete for a playoff spot this season.”

 Cody Jackson returns at quarterback, where Harrison Joshi can also see playing time. “ We want to get both players their opportunities,” said Knight.

 Knight feels like the running back group, led by Sam Levine, Kyle Emmons, and Colvin Levesque, could be the strength of the offense. “ That group has looked very good here in the pre-season,” said Knight. “ Bigger and faster than a year ago.”

“ The biggest leap in ability a player has is usually from their sophomore to their junior season, and we are seeing it this pre-season,” said Knight.

 Gus Smiley will line up at slot receiver alongside Collin Kochanek, Justin Fish, and John McDevitt. 

 Wide receiver Josh Tripp has been excellent when healthy and could be poised for a breakout season. 

 The offensive and defensive lines will be anchored by Kevin Ndubuisi (“He has the potential to be one of the best linemen in the state,” said Knight) along with Kevin Hamel and Ted Smiley.

 Inside linebacker Bruno Goncalves has been impressive in the pre-season for a defense that should be improved.

“ I see potential and improvement, but talk is cheap; we need to prove it week after week on the field,” said Knight. “ We were a two-win team last season, and we need to prove we are a different team this season.”

 

Coming tomorrow: Division II