UNION LEADER/WGIR/WMUR FOOTBALL POWER POLL

The top 10 high school football teams in New Hampshire, as voted by the staffs of the New Hampshire Union Leader, WGIR AM and FM, and WMUR-TV after Week 3 of the 2013 NHIAA season, with first-place votes/points in parentheses:
 
THIS WEEK                                                             
1. Exeter, 3-0 (3/55)                                                                                                 
2. Concord, 3-0 (1/54)                                                                                
3. Bedford, 3-0 (2/53)                                                                                  
4. Nashua South, 3-0 (41)                                                             
5. Pinkerton, 2-1 (34)                                                                      
6. Winnacunnet, 2-1 (30)                                                              
7. Trinity, 3-0 (24)                                                     
8. Bishop Guertin, 2-1 (15)                                                
9. Plymouth, 3-0 (12)                                                                                  
10 (tie). Londonderry, 2-1 (4)                          
10 (tie). Portsmouth, 3-0 (4)
10 (tie). Spaulding, 2-1 (4)
 

1.  Exeter...What a game against Winnacunnet on Saturday!  The 35-34 OT win by the Blue Hawks was certainly a close call, but until someone beats the 2-time defending champs I'm keeping them @ #1.  Real interesting match-ups each of the next 2 weeks for Exeter at Stellos Stadium in Nashua vs BG and then against Nashua South.

2.  Concord...I've got the Crimson Tide ranked 2nd again, but I actually think Concord might be a little better than Exeter because they can beat you in a number of different ways...offensively with an outstanding running and passing game, plus a dynamite defense that shut out a Merrimack team on Friday that came into the game as the highest scoring team in NH.

3.  Bedford...the Bulldogs defense has been the story so far this season as they've given up a total of only 12 points through their first three games.  They've also got a good offense led by the Vailas cousins, Mike and Nick and an impressive 1st time starter @ QB in Dan Colella.

4.  Trinity...BIG test this Saturday afternoon at Gill Stadium as the Plymouth Bobcats come to Manchester.  If the Pioneers can win that game I will feel vindicated in placing them this high on my ballot.  

5.  Nashua South...Trevor Knight is back from the thumb injury and he looked just fine on Friday afternoon against Timberlane throwing and running his way to almost 300 yards combined and 4 TDs.

6.  Winnacunnet...the Ing Hao Veasna and Alec Boucher led passing game reminded me of last year's Bedford team which spread you out and beat you with multiple receivers who could make plays.  They may not have the dominating linemen and the home run hitter at running back they had last year, but they sure showed me something against Exeter.

7.  Pinkerton...I feel kind of bad for moving them down 2 spots despite a 27-2 spanking of Salem.  I'll admit I haven't actually seen the Astros in person yet, but it just seems to me that they are still trying to "find" themselves early in the season.

8.  Plymouth...did I mention I'm VERY much looking forward to the Trinity game on Saturday?  These 2 teams have developed quite a rivalry in the short time they've been in the same division with Plymouth winning the last 2 meetings after Trinity took the 1st 3.

9.  BG...the Cardinals picked up a huge conference win over Keene on Saturday night and ended up knocking the Blackbirds out of my Top 10.  I really like how this team/program is jelling in their 3rd season under coach Travis Cote.

10. Portsmouth...after losing a 58-37 shootout against Trinity in week 1(and losing their starting and 2nd string QBs in the 1st half of that game), the Clippers have rebounded nicely with blowout wins in their next 2, albeit against weaker competition.  More importantly, they got starting signal caller Donovan Phanor and a couple key linemen back last week and they should be primed for a playoff push in D2.