South

 (4) Bishop Brady at (1) Bow

 There is nothing subtle about 62-0 and that is the exact score Bow put on Bishop Brady back on September 27th. Brady all-state QB Brendan Johnson didn’t have time to throw the football and couldn’t find anyone open when he did. Moses Murenzi was held to under 20 yards rushing as the Falcons began to assert themselves as one of the best defenses in New Hampshire.

 That unit has only gotten better as the weeks have come off the calendar. Last weekend Somersworth’s Elyjah Dejoie entered the game at Bow with over 1,700 yards in just seven games and 24 carries later he left with only 62 more….50 of which came on one run. Dejoie ran for 4 yards in the second half..

 Offensively Bow has five different players who have run for over 250 yards; Matt Ehrenberg (1,078), Chris Robbins (431), Kyle Barrington (255), Jake Harkins (254) and Jason Smick (253). They absolutely belong in the conversation for being one of the top 10 teams in the state.
 
 (3) Somersworth at (2) Campbell 

 The Hilltoppers beat Campbell 20-13 and finished with the same records but go on the road…….man can someone invite McIsaac and I to these playoff meetings? We’ll even bring coffee and donuts for everyone..tomorrow I have to write a playoff preview for two 4-5 teams while Salem (7-2) kids roam around town like The Walking Dead trying to figure out why it is basketball season already. This isn't working…

 Campbell has to slow down Dejoie (it’s not as simple as Bow made it look) and Campbell under a very good coach in Greg Gush might be a team that can do it. The Cougars defense has improved by the week and it starts with middle linebacker Christian Kamacho at linebacker. A pair of cornerbacks, Justin DiBenedetto (3 picks in his last 2 games) and Kyle Kopaczynski, have played very well while Tyler Walton & Harrison Vedrani have played at an all-state level as well.

 Stopping Dejoie and putting Somersworth in an early hole is the assignment Saturday afternoon. Campbell lost to Bow in the opener but would love another shot at them in the semifinals.
 
 North

 (4) Mascoma at (1) Newport

 Newport rolled over Mascoma in their first meeting 47-0 and now looks to advance to a possible rematch with (7-1) Gilford next weekend.

 Tommy Hogan has played very well at QB and counts on a group of running backs led by CJ Lawrence, Noah Wade and Taner Sherman. Hogan can put the ball up if he needs to and will look to WR Stephan Nix on play action.
 
 (3) Inter-Lakes Moultonborough at (2) Gilford

 The Alma Mater won 33-7 three weeks ago and now has the opportunity to avenge a playoff loss to the Lakers at home a year ago.

 In that game three weeks ago Max Troiano went for 156 yards on the ground and another 62 receiving. Gilford Head coach Shawn Garrett has pounded the ball on the ground behind Troiano (1.055 yds. rushing), David McDonald (319) when the match-up calls for it and gone to the air behind Carter Mercer (1,500 yds. passing and 20 TDs) when he finds a mismatch. Those mismatches usually involve wide receiver Kyle Gaudet (868 yds. and 12 Tds) and on Saturday Inter-Lakes needs to stop Gilford from scoring on plays of 40 yards or longer. Jon Francis’s team doesn’t want a shoot-out, they’re best chance for the upset is in a game of the 17-14 variety.

 Malik Carter has been the Lakers top running back and quarterback Josh Blundo led his team to the upset win on this same field a year ago. Andrew Brothers continues to be a breakout player for the Lakers as a freshman while sophomores Zach Swanson (OT/DE) and Ryan Kelly (CB and back-up QB) have played well defensively.