Today we take a look at Division II Football.
 

On the final play of a Division II championship game that had been back & forth on a cold sun drenched afternoon in Plymouth it was fourth & goal and Donovan Phanor immediately realized his first option was covered.

 With two Plymouth defenders closing in on him it was now about buying some time with his feet. All afternoon every time the Bobcats had pushed ahead the Portsmouth Clippers had surged right back. Phanor had been making plays with his feet & right arm all afternoon long so there was no reason to believe it wasn’t happening again.

 This play was a little different though. This play carried with it not only the weight of the season but the end of a historic career, one way or another.

 If Phanor gets Portsmouth in the end zone an extra point moves them to the second possession of overtime. If his pass falls incomplete, Plymouth head coach Chuck Lenahan is going out a champion in his 43rd and final season.

 That’s your storybook ending right there…only Portsmouth was running very low on sentiment at the moment.

 The senior quarterback knew his time in the pocket had run out. Most quarterbacks would have been on the ground or forced to toss one up into a crowd by now but Phanor was the player of the year and a heady leader. His feet were buying him a few extra seconds most wouldn’t have.

 Finally with the walls closing in around him he had to go to the corner of the end zone. His receiver was covered but Phanor knew he wasn’t getting in with his feet; he had time for one more pass and maybe a reprieve on the end of his season.

 The throw was a good one, into a tight window, but Plymouth had prepared since August for these scenarios. They swarmed toward the ball as it bounced off the cold hard grass.

 Plymouth’s Chuck Lenahan was a champion for the 20th time. Portsmouth’s season had fallen one play short.

 Ten months later it is a different landscape in Division II. Not only has Coach Lenahan moved on but Portsmouth as well, becoming the newest member of Division I.

 Friday night 21 teams begin their quest to get to the campus of UNH on the final Saturday of the New Hampshire football season. Under the same circumstances that Portsmouth and Plymouth squared off last November.

 Today we take a look at Division II

 East (top two teams make the playoff)
 

1. St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Merrimack Valley
3. Pembroke Academy
4. Manchester West
5. Kingswood

 Al McGuire once famously said "The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.” Tell it to St. Thomas football coach Eric Cumba, a year ago he had a very talented/hard working group of kids with little or no experience. Twelve months later he has flat out veterans…and they’re still pretty talented. “We have a lot of multiple year starters now, kids who really came into the program and have learned under our coaches,” said Cumba. “A lot of these kids were freshman the year we won our last title and they want the same for themselves.”

 The Saints have a pair of talented signal callers and will rely on both this season. Trevor Martin is back for his third season in the program and owns one of the strongest arms in the division while Steve Hedberg has battled for the position with his classmate and is expected to contribute. “Both can play and both will play,” said Cumba. “It’s not a matter of deciding between the two, they’ll both help us.”
 Ryan Bennett is poised for a breakout year at running back while Kevin Gould will be an all-state candidate at tight end. “Kevin has looked really good in the pre-season. He’s a big kid and he also understands our blocking schemes.”

Tommy Bennett and Charlie Pollack will play slot receiver in the Saints offense while Will Middleton has made big strides at wide receiver.

 With only six seniors graduating a year ago Cumba’s defense also has a chance to be elite in 2014. Josh Carlisle is a 6 foot 290 lb. nose tackle while Jesse Quintero was one of the division leaders in sacks last season from the defensive end position. “All these young kids have turned into veterans and it has allowed us to really be ahead of where we were in years past as far as our preparation for the season.”

 Danny Rogers, Mike Murray and Saxon Morrison will make up the linebacking group for what should be a very good defense. Special teams will take a hit with the graduation of Hayden Middleton, who is kicking for UNH after he hit 19 career field goals for the Saints. “He was such a weapon for us as far as the field position battle. That will be an area where we need someone to step up. A player like Hayden doesn’t come along often.”

 Merrimack Valley quarterback Ivan Niyomugabo was one of the finalists for player of the year honors in 2013 but in 2014 it will be an unproven cast around him that may keep his team from being the juggernaut some are predicting. It starts with a defense that had a difficult time getting off the field a year ago and continues with a group of talented but unproven receivers. Those question marks make St. Thomas the clear cut favorite in the East.

 Pete Tarrier & I return to the radio every Saturday morning from 8 to 9 am on WGIR 610 AM or 96,7 FM on the seacoast.

Listen online every Saturday morning on the link below:
  http://www.iheart.com/live/WGIR-AM-610-2752/
 
 
North
 

1. Kennett
2. Plymouth Regional
3. Hanover
4. Lebanon
5. Laconia
6. Kearsarge Regional

 
 The team gaining the most buzz through the pre-season is Kennett after returning 19 starters from a year ago. The Eagles will be without veteran head coach Mike Holderman who took a coaching position down south but will have a former member of his staff Vaughan Beckwith stepping right in. The offense is led by QB Will Powers who will be under center again this season behind an offensive line anchored by Jacob Cameron. The defense has the chance to be among the best units in the entire division and will be led by Nick Sherwood.

 The winning will continue at Plymouth Regional under first year head coach Chris Sanborn but with six first team all-state players moving on from a year ago there will be some transition up north. “It’s a good group, they’re working hard,” said the veteran assistant coach of his team. “We have a lot of kids who played behind the seniors last year and now they need to set up. That can be a tough transition; we have coaches that are moved over to new positions this year as well so the pre-season has had the feel to it that everyone is in an adjustment phase. “

 Derek Preble has competed through-out the pre-season with Chris Comeau for the starting quarterback job while a pair of sophomores Harrison Macomber & Brandon Roy, could see time as well. Justin Robinson returns as the lead running back and one of the best two way players in the division, “He’s looked good in the pre-season,” said Sanborn. “His experience, especially on the defensive side of the ball, will be important for us.”  Comeau will get carries as will Amani Mwingira behind an offensive line replacing several new starters and hit with injuries early in the pre-season.

 Jim Wieliczko will lead a good defense from the defensive end position while Robinson will lead the secondary. “Coach Sanborn will step right in and do a great job,” one rival coach predicted of the defending champions. “It’s still Plymouth as the team to beat until someday does it.”

 In a loaded conference Hanover has the chance to finish anywhere from 4th to 1st…don’t count out the latter happening. “I don’t make any predictions when it comes to wins and losses but we’ll be a tough team this year,” said Hanover head coach Mike Ivanoski. “I like the speed & make-up of this team and how hard they’re working right now.”

 Ivanoski, a twenty year veteran head coach, has plenty of reason for that optimism. RB/MLB Jack Cavallaro returns as one of the top players in the division and will lead a backfield that includes returning starter Joey Porter. Dom Linahan takes over at QB for the Marauders and will set up behind an offensive line anchored by two returning starters: Kennedy Marshall and Chris Gundermann. “We are still filling out the offensive line but we have several kids capable of making an impact there.”

 Hanover was dealt a blow when 6’7 two way starter Ben Lynch broke his leg before the season. Cavallaro will lead a very fast defense that will only get better when Sam Hastings returns from a broken ankle.

 Lebanon head coach Chris Childs likes the ability of his team; he just wishes they could fast forward to the part where they have a lot of game experience. “We have a lot of young kids, and they’re working hard but right now it is about executing in game situations,” said Childs, “and that has to play itself out.” Joe Flanagan returns at the QB position (“He’s a player who always seems to find a way to make a play and make the right decisions out there,” said Childs) although sophomore Caleb Broughton has pushed him in camp.

 Ryan Milliken is a talented sophomore with speed who will get the bulk of the carries at running back while Cam Broughton, Tanner Simms and Ethan Perkins will see time as well. Cameron Rogers is the anchor of a solid offensive line while Walker Tuttle “Runs the show” according to Childs, from the middle linebacker position. Tavian Tobin and Calvin Hunnewell will also be difference makers for Lebanon on defense. “ It’s a good group, how we are able to compete and whether we will be a team playing in the postseason will all come down to how the new players develop.”
 
South
 

1. Windham
2. Trinity
3. Souhegan
4. Milford
5. Pelham

 Windham head coach Bill Raycraft is a pretty connected guy within the New Hampshire coaching circles. He’s heard the same rumblings you have…Windham is everyone’s team to beat in Division II. “I do understand how teams might make us the favorite, certainly we have a lot of talent coming back and kids that have put in the work, but it is a long way from November,” said Raycraft of his Jaguars chances. “Right now we’re focused on the opener and getting better.”

 A lot of the widespread optimism starts at the quarterback position where there are few better than Brendan McInnis. “Going into last year we didn't know what we had with him as far as his abilities. He’s really become a very good quarterback and a leader as well.” The backfield has a familiar look to it with Kellen Bail, Shane LaFond and Kurtis Jolicoeur all returning from last year’s playoff team. Davis Potter and Kevin Anderson will anchor an offensive line that makes up for in speed what they lack in size.

 Defensively the Jaguars will be more aggressive in 2014, utilizing speed and experience. Kurtis Jolicoeur leads a very good linebacking group while Joe Frake, Shea, Kellen Bail and Anthony Gallo head an elite secondary. “These guys (in the secondary) get it,” said Raycraft, “They get the mental side of the game and their play will be a focal point for us. We’re going to be much more aggressive this season than we have been in the past where we were more of a ‘bend don’t break’ defense. I think we’ll surprise people with our speed.”

 Last season’s star studded Trinity high school football team (The coverage of Trinity is sponsored by The Auburn Pitts) ended up being the third best team in a loaded division. The names have changed and the word rebuilding may even get tossed around a bit but head coach Steve Burns has a hard working team that might just be a pain to someone by the time November rolls around. “Individually we don’t have the players we had a year ago,” said Burns, “ but the effort has been terrific and this team has worked really well as a unit. If we win this year it will be as a group, every man has to step up.”

 Hunter Hannon and Pat Mackey have competed throughout the season to replace all-state QB Carmen Giampetruzzi, with neither player holding a significant edge as the season opener loomed. Will Sheppard came into camp in great shape and has stood out in the backfield. Seikou Bah is an explosive runner when he is right and Burns expects big contributions from Nick Perdue as well.

 The offensive line is a work in progress according to Burns, especially after Matt and Ben Beals left for Bishop Guertin late in the summer. Marshall Williams has played very well in the pre-season and will play alongside a group that includes Jake Clement, Griffin Lyons and Pete Schibbelhute.

 Tight end/defensive end Ryan Boldwin will be one of the best two way players in all of Division II and is expected to have a big senior year after playing a major role for the Pioneers last season. Boldwin will lead a defense that includes a lot of new faces. “We graduated four players from our secondary alone that played or would have played, in the Shrine Game, “ said Burns. “ So it is all about kids stepping up and the coaches getting them prepared.”

 The rebuilding in Souhegan under head coach Mike Lochman may just pay off this season as the Sabers now have a nucleus with some much needed experience under their belt. The next step is a dose of confidence, “ We were very young last year and with that comes, inevitably, a lot of mistakes,” said Lochman. “ But I like where this group is at, they are working hard and gaining confidence. We’re hoping that translates onto the field this year.”

 Mike Mancini will be handling the quarterbacking duties and has looked good in the pre-season, “ Mike has really developed into a smart quarterback and he has become a great ball handler,” said Lochman. The Sabers will be deep at running back with Cameron Kinney returning after a 600 yard season a year ago and Tucker Aiello, a 6 foot 200 lb. sophomore, opening up running  lanes.  Tyler Howard will see carries as well.

 Brendan Cray and Zach Bossi will contribute from the slot receiver positons while George LaPage will anchor the offensive line. “Our line guys in particular have worked really hard in the offseason and I expect them to be far more physical this season then we were capable of being a year ago,” said Lochman.

 Nick Truchon will lead the defense from the linebacker position while Aaron Stonebreaker is expected to be a major contributor on the defensive line. A secondary of Bossi, Cray and Mancini has the potential to be a very good unit.

 A collection of very good running backs graduated from Milford last season but left behind was a very good offensive line. Now they just need to find someone to run to daylight behind the holes they open up. “ We’ll be very good upfront,” said head coach Keith Jones. “ I like the potential of the backs we have we just have to see who emerges. As a group I think we can get production there.”

 Maxwell Urda will return to the quarterback spot after being forced into the job late last season because of injury. “ He got some very good experience last year and that is a big plus for us to start the season.” Jahir Romney, Mark Madigan and Bryce Walker will all get opportunities to run the football behind an offensive line that includes Travis Hughes, Kody Palladino and Nick Skinner.

 Defensively a pair of linebackers will head a group that will be replacing several key performers from a year ago. Taegan Vitale and Nick Skinner will anchor the group. “ We lost our two starters at safety so we will have to work the new guys in,” said Jones. “ That will force us to be a little Vanilla early on in the season as far as our coverage.”

 West
 

1. Monadnock
2. Hollis-Brookline
3. Sanborn
4. John Stark
5. Con Val

 Monadnock has been a consistent winner under Head coach Linwood Patnode and hopes that even in a rebuilding year the post-season is a real possibility. “We’re so young across the board,” said Patnode, “It’s kind of fun building this team up though. There are a lot of mistakes made but I have to remember we’ve been running these plays as a group for two weeks, not two years.”

 Deion Russell will take over at QB for the graduated Isaiah Prince while J.T Cloutier will also see time at the position as a sophomore. River Fish, the best name in all of New Hampshire High school sports, will lead a talented backfield that includes Kyle Keating and Bailey Johns, who Patnode notes has looked very good in the pre-season.

 Liam Morris will help anchor the offensive line from the tight end spot alongside John Rowen and Keagan Phippard. Misha Hoffman will lead the Huskies defense from the linebacker spot. “He has the experience at the position and we need his leadership with the younger guys,” said Patnode.

  Jared Redfield will contribute as a RB/CB while freshman Dezmond Stevens has turned heads in his first year as a linebacker. “We lost 17 seniors from a year ago. Our senior class this year is small, but those seniors have really been good about leading the way for the underclassman and our hope is after some growing pains we turn into a pretty good football team.”

 John Welch helped lead his Sanborn team to the upset of the Division II playoffs last season when his senior laden team knocked off top seed Monadnock in the opening round. All but two starters have graduated as Welch builds his team around one of the best running backs in the division and a cast of underclassman looking to make an immediate impression. “ We’ve struggled in scrimmages because of our inexperience,” said Welch of the pre-season. “ Right now it’s about getting everyone on the same page and improving from there. I think we have the pieces to do it.”

 Those pieces start with a big one: running back Zach Matthews returns and will get a lot of attention from opposing defenses. “ He’s just a pleasure to coach,” said Welch of his captain. “ He’s a leader on our team and a guy who, if there is nothing there in front of him when he gets the football, he still is able to turn it into three yards.” Mike D’Amelio is a talented underclassman with an opportunity to step in and contribute right away. Tyler Ward will anchor the offensive line.

 Jobs were still up for grabs as pre-season camp began to wind down but Coach Welch sees a lot of potential around standout Cam McNeil in the secondary.

 John Stark head coach Jim O’Rourke has been smart enough to be patient with a program that has struggled for the better part of the last ten years. The Generals have improved each and every season under O’Rourke though and with a pair of sophomore playmakers good times may indeed be ahead. “Last year we got to the point where we could really compete for about a half before we ran out of gas due to a lack of depth,” said O’Rourke. “ This year our goal is to be competitive for four quarters in each and every game we play in.”

 Leading that effort will be sophomore quarterback Drew McQuarrie. The 6’3 200 lb. sophomore has greatly improved from a year ago and has the potential to be a program changer for the Generals. McQuarrie will lean on his classmate Cooper Gorski, a 6’3 wide receiver who scored three touchdowns in a recent scrimmage. “ They have been playing together since they were little kids and so there is a familiarity you can’t coach,” said O’Rourke. “We have told them that if they see something at the line they are free to make the adjustment amongst the two of them.”

 The Generals will go with a running back by committee with Adam King leading a group that includes Phil Thibeault and Cody Ledoux. “We’re looking for a balance between the running game and our passing attack.” Zach Hamilton will anchor an offensive line that includes Jake Sawyer and Zach Feudner. Sawyer will help lead the defense along with Terry Verzos and senior captain Gage Huard, “ Gage is a kid who really leads us by example,” said O’Rourke.
 
 Playoff Predictions

 First Round:
 St. Thomas over Merrimack Valley
 Plymouth over Kennett
 Windham over Trinity
 Monadnock over Hollis-Brookline

Semifinals
St. Thomas over Plymouth Regional
Windham over Monadnock
 
Championship
St. Thomas over Windham