A new re-alignment in New Hampshire high school football drops the number of divisions from six down to three and for Division II coaches this will afford them the rare opportunity to fire up three different ‘These guys are the defending champions of their division!' speeches as Portsmouth (Div. III), Plymouth (Div. IV) and Monadnock (Div. V) will all wear the title belt until a lone champion is crowned in November. Where we find ourselves in early September is a division with a lot of familiar names about to make their acquaintances for the first time under one single roof.

Today we take a look at each of the four sub-divisions where the top two teams will meet for the right to advance to the semifinals. "No matter what the name of the division is or the number behind it they gave us a schedule and we'll go play it," said Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Lenahan of Plymouth Regional last week. "Whether we are one of the teams there at the end will depend on how much we improve, it's probably the same scenario with any school you talk to." 

Couldn't have said it better myself....today we begin our 2013 high school football previews with a look at Division II.

Eastern Sub-Division (Top two teams advance to the playoffs)

1. Portsmouth

2. St. Thomas

3. Pembroke Academy

4. Merrimack Valley

5. Kingswood

The Portsmouth Clippers started seemingly every kid short of the Tuba player last fall at quarterback due to a historic rash of injuries but 12 months later two signal callers that gained valuable experience return to run Brian Pafford's spread offense in his first year as head coach. "We noticed in looking at the film after the championship game last year against Goffstown that nearly every time Donovan Phanor checked down to a different play he was making the correct call and that comes with game experience," said Pafford of his day one starter at quarterback. "Because of that we are playing at a faster pace right now than we've ever played here on the offensive side of the ball." Phanor along with back-up QB Nate McFarland will run a spread offense designed to get the Clippers in one on match-ups in space. A pre-season scrimmage against Division I powerhouse Pinkerton saw the Astros get the better of Portsmouth on the line but struggle to contain the faster Portsmouth receivers on the outside. Players' lounge member Mikey Toar ("He's just a bull with the ball in his hands," says Pafford) and Joey Auger will get a bulk of the carries from the backfield behind an offensive line led by Players' lounge member Pat Glynn.

Pafford's team boasts a very balanced receiving core led by Jake Becker, Jack Young, Ian MacDonald and McFarland. " In one respect we're young and less experienced than we were a year ago but we also have kids that have been in the program for years at the lower levels, they know the terminology and are expected to step in ready on day one."

Defensively Portsmouth moves on without all-state lineman Ricky Holt but hopes Toar will draw those same double teams at the nose tackle position. "His ability to force the other team into double teaming him will go a long ways towards our defense having success." Joey Auger and Players' Lounge member Nick Mackey will step into the defensive backfield mix while Nate McFarland returns at cornerback after an all-state performance a year ago. 

The climb continues for head coach Eric Cumba's St. Thomas team who won the Division V title in 2011, moved up to Division IV a year ago and now bounce up to Division II in 2013. Like a lot of coaches Cumba is more concerned about who his team lines up against than the names on the championship plague. "We were very young a year ago, too young at times certainly but that now makes us a much more balanced and experienced team today," said Cumba. "I like the potential with this group.

Joe Karsonovich and Trevor Martin shared time at quarterback a year ago and will do so again as Cumba likes what he sees in each player. "Trevor has a really good arm and some real ability so we like what he brings in the game. At the same time Karsonovich is just a great leader and really makes plays. We're comfortable with either guy running the offense." With all-state running back Ryan Monette (St. Anselm) playing at the college level Jake Geppert and Ryan Bennett step in to take over the ball carrying duties. Geppert in particular could have a breakout year. "He has great vision running the football and that's only gotten better as he's matured." Charlie Pollack, Ryan Mitchell and Geppert going out wide into the slot receiver spot will give the Saints the spread offense that led the state in scoring two years ago.

On the other side of the ball they will return six starters from last year's playoff team including ILB Mike Murray ("He's looked very good in the pre-season") CB Kevin Kaneb and first year defensive end Kevin Gould. Geppert, we warned you it might be a breakout year.., will provide all-state play at the cornerback position as well.

With rival Portsmouth back on the schedule they'll need all the talent they can muster in the secondary. "It's a mix of younger kids, underclassman, but with experience. We as a coaching staff expect to see progress in year two with these guys."

Merrimack Valley will again try to get as many touches it can for Ivan Nyamagabo as they look to improve on a winless campaign in 2012.

Northern Sub-Division

1. Plymouth Regional

2. Lebanon

3. Kennett

4. Hanover

5. Laconia

If you think Plymouth Regional head football coach Chuck Lenahan, owner of 19 state championships in his storied career, is going to savor his final year on the Bobcats sideline with a weekly celebration Mariano Rivera style you haven't met the man. You can save the rocking chair for someone who'll use it. The defending Division IV champions return four of the best players in the re-aligned Division II and if a nearly brand new offensive line gels Lenahan is the odds on favorite to go out a winner one last time and make it an even 20. "We have a lot of work to do but it's a good group and so far they are working hard," said Lenahan of his final pre-season. "There are a lot of very good teams in this division and I don't anticipate any game to be easy."

Players' Lounge member Collin Sullivan returns at the quarterback position after his last minute touchdown throw beat Trinity in an instant championship game classic last November. Joining him in a loaded backfield will be John Thomas, Jared Kuehl and Kyle Resiert. Each played a big role a year ago and are well known by every coach on the Bobcats schedule. "Resiert might be the best player in our division," said one rival coach. "He's a beast for them out there." Sean Zaikowski, who Sullivan mentioned as the Plymouth player who worked the hardest over the off-season, will start at either tackle position with the task of keeping Sullivan on his feet his number one priority. Plymouth graduated seven players who logged time on the O-Line a year ago and the ability for the newcomers to step in on day one will be crucial to the Bobcats hopes of repeating. 

The 2010 championship season has at times seemed like a lot more than three years ago for Chris Childs and the Lebanon Raiders but there is a feeling in the western part of the state that a lot of young talent mixed in with some familiar faces may put an end to a two year championship hangover. "I think we have a chance to surprise some people this year," said Childs. "I like what I've seen so far, if we carry that over into the games that count we can win some games." 

Eight of eleven starters return on offense led by three year starting quarterback Travis Hastings. Ethan Perkins and Lucas Gerow will get carries in the backfield for the Raiders as well.

The defense was given a boost by the return of Dominick Morrill after sitting out 2012. Grayson Hardy and Austin Pelletier will be joined on the defense by Ian Durwood, who returns after an elbow injury cost him time last season. "We had 48 kids come out this year, big numbers for us. I'm not sure if that is a bounce you get from winning a title a few years ago or if kids are a little less intimated by leaders like Cody Patch (Dartmouth)  and Alexander Morrill (UNH) no longer being in the program. All I know is that we have a good mix of talent and experience. The hope is that translates when we get to the regular season," said Childs.

All of the best coaches have a Plan B if their worst case scenario arises and Kennett head coach Mike Holderman was as prepared as he could have been. He just wishes he would have had a little more time to enjoy Plan A last year. "It's pretty safe to say that when (all-state running back) Nick Massa went down with a season ending injury last season it changed how we ran our offense," said Kennett's veteran head coach. "We centered the offense around Nick so when he went down other kids had to step up. In a hurry.." 

Nick Graziano and Will Pollard both return to the quarterback position and just as they did in 2012 each will get their time under center. " You always want to ideally just stick with one guy but both kids really upped their game over the off-season and we are excited to see what they are capable of." Christian Rivers ran the ball well a year ago and steps back into the running back role again with Nate Arnold also seeing time in the backfield.

Tommy Donovan emerged as one of the best defensive players in the division a year ago and will return at safety for the Eagles. " Tommy really grew as a player last year; he had moments where he was overly aggressive and then other times he was too timid. As the year went on though he really read the play in front of him and came on as a big time player for us. He's  a very smart player."

Hanover will join the fight for a second playoff spot in the sub-division behind three year starting quarterback Shawn Cavalarro. " We saw him in the pre-season and he is very, very good," noted one division rival head coach. " He has 4.4 speed at the quarterback position and he'll have them back in the mix."

The Laconia Sachems will look to bounce back from a very rare down year as they dedicate their new football field to former longtime head coach Jim Fitzgerald.

Southern Sub-Division

1. Trinity

2. Milford

3. Windham

4. Souhegan

5. John Stark

Steve Burns coaches a Trinity high school (whose coverage is sponsored by The Auburn Pitts) team that is used to challenges, they just never can predict where they are coming from. It's been Manchester Central in the Turkey Bowl, Plymouth way up north and even Laconia up by the lake in recent years and a trip Friday night out to the seacoast will be the latest stop on their gridiron tour. Burns and his veteran crew welcome the challenge of each new rival because they've seemed to fit in quite nicely wherever they land. Having a player like Lounge member Carmen Giampetruzzi running the offense and anchoring the defensive backfield probably doesn't hurt either. "Who the lefty Quarterback?, " Burns jokingly inquires, " Yeah I think people know his name by now, he has seen it all at this point and he gets us into our rhythm offensively. It may look like a cookie cutter offense but it's a lot more complex than that and when he goes back to throw the football he has a rifle. We've got all the confidence in the world in him and we're glad he's on our side."

Players' Lounge members Austin Chambers, Zack Poole (back after a broken leg in last year's title game loss to Plymouth) and Brad Rhoades will get their chances carrying the football in Burns' option system. A pair of very talented Tight Ends will give the Pioneers yet another weapon to go to as Lounge members Ryan Boldwin and Tristan Theroux each had their coming out party at the recent Queen City Jamboree. " They have each improved significantly, and they give us an ability through the air to get yardage from that position."

Defensively the Pioneers will be led by players' lounge  member Ian Landry, Will Perdue, Poole, Theroux, Giampetruzzi and Boldwin at outside linebacker. Cam Brown, a first year player and a standout hockey player, is also expected to step in and contribute right away. " We have all three inside linebackers returning as well as three defensive backs, so the core is there," notes Burns. "We know firsthand how good Plymouth is and we have tremendous respect for programs like Milford and Portsmouth as well. It won't be easy, in fact it will be very tough, but we're excited about our potential as a group."

Much like their new sub-division rival Keith Jones can feel a lot better about his Milford football team knowing he has a coach on the field under center. If Jones wants something run or needs the right audible at the line he can trust that Harrison Urda has it covered. " There are eleven guys on the field but it does come down to getting off the right play a lot of time, and we feel pretty good about our quarterback." Joining Urda in the backfield will be Mitchell Banuskevich, who ran the ball very well a year ago, Evan Perron and Willie Miles. " We like the ability of those guys back there, we've been fortunate in the players we've had come through this program and their ability to run the ball."

Jones sees need for more work on the defensive side of ball after heavy graduation losses. " That is where we have a lot to replace," noted Jones. " At times in the pre-season it's looked like Swiss cheese but we've gotten better as the pre-season went on." Urda and Banuskevich will help anchor the secondary in what might be the most competitive of the four sub-divisions.

Bill Raycraft has built Windham into a consistent winner and although he will have to replace several key offensive players including quarterback Joe Lorenz, the Jaguars will compete again for a spot in the post-season.

The best football player in the division that you're not hearing enough of is John Stark's Carson Dunn. The senior running back has a chance to play at the next level with the amount of attention.

 

Western Sub-Division

1. Hollis-Brookline

2. Monadnock

3. Con-Val

4. Kearsarge Regional

5. Sanborn

Monadnock head coach Linwood Patnode lets out a laugh when you tell him he might just be this years ‘forgotten defending champion'. " I know there are three of us in one division now, that's alright by us though. It's a challenge for us playing bigger schools now. We might be, along with Kearsarge, the smallest team in the division but it's not a topic of conversation. We're here to compete and the kids are excited about the challenge." 

Will Kitterman, DJ Lotito and a veteran crew that brought a long awaited state football title in 2012 have moved on but Patnode is excited about first year quarterback Isaiah Prince and a backfield that boasts Dylan Lane and Drew Bolewski. "Isaiah is coming along very well, he still has steps to take learning the position but he is such a talent and he's going to make some plays for us. " Rotating into the backfield at the fullback position will be Clinton Brock, Colby Merrill and Spencer Field. The Huskies will pound the ball on the ground and count on a defense led by Players' Lounge member Mason LaClair, Brock and Connecticut transfer Micha Hoffman. " We're excited for the new division, we'll have to coach a little harder, hit a little harder and play a little faster but we're ready to go."

A senior laden team led by Peter Allen and Oliver Gallo with designs on a Division V title fell just short in a semifinal loss to Monadnock a year ago and so it is with a new cast that Kearsarge Regional head coach Zach Matthews goes into 2013. "We lost 14 seniors last year including 11 starters so it's a very young group now," said Matthews of his Kearsarge team. " So there are still a lot of position battles up for grabs." One of those battles will come down to the final scrimmage of the pre-season as junior Ryan Stanley battles senior Christian Marsh for the starting job. At running back Matthews is very high on sophomore Riley Antle, who will also start at linebacker. " We'll rotate a lot of kids on the line and see what combinations work. It's a young group and they'll need to develop." Senior leadership will come from John Barber, Will Hufrance and D.J Higner as Kearsarge looks to continue its run of playoff appearances.

Pre-season Players of the Year: 

Kyle Resiert of Plymouth, Carmen Giampetruzzi of Trinity and Donovan Phanor of Portsmouth.

 

Playoff picks:

 Round one 

 Portsmouth over St. Thomas

 Monadnock over Hollis-Brookline

 Trinity over Milford

 Plymouth Regional over Lebanon

 

Semifinal round

 Portsmouth over Trinity

 Plymouth over Monadnock

 

Championship

 Plymouth over Portsmouth