Sept. 8 , 2015 ( Week 1 )

The top 10 high school football teams in New Hampshire, as voted by the staffs of the New Hampshire Union Leader, WMUR-TV and ESPN New Hampshire, with record, first-placevotes/points in parentheses, plus previous week's ranking:

1. Pinkerton, 1-0 (5/59), 1st

2. Goffstown, 1-0 (1/52), 2nd

3. Bedford, 1-0 (46), 5th

4. Exeter, 1-0 (45), 3rd

5. Salem, 1-0 (34), 4th

6. Bishop Guertin, 1-0 (33), 8th (tie)

7. Londonderry, 1-0 (16), NR

8. tie Timberlane, 0-1 (11), 7th

8. tie St. Thomas, 1-0 (11), 8th tie

10. Merrimack, 1-0 (7), NR

Also receiving votes: Windham (6), 10th; Nashua South (5), NR; Concord (4), 6th; Kennett (1), NR.

Here's how I voted...and why...
1.Pinkerton...the Astros got some bad news just days prior to the start of the regular season when they learned they would likely be without star running back/defensive back TJ Urbanik for the season because of a knee injury.  I feel for TJ and the entire Pinkerton program, but I still think they're the team to beat in D1.

2.Goffstown...I got a 1st hand look at my hometown Grizzlies on Saturday when they blitzed Concord 42-7 on Opening Day.  QB Casey Gervais and RB Connor Bourque have received a ton of publicity heading into the season, but this Goffstown team is a lot more than just those 2 guys.  The offense is very well balanced with multiple playmakers besides the aforementioned dynamic duo, and the Grizzly defense basically shut down what should be a pretty good Concord offense.  

3.Exeter...I also got to see the Blue Hawks in person on Friday night in a 14-9 home victory over Timberlane.  Seemed like the same old, same old for Exeter as they used a number of different running backs to effectively move the ball and mixed in the run and some timely passing from their very good junior QB Kyle Ball.   On defense it was also vintage Bill Ball type football with a breakout performance from Hunter Long.  

4.Bishop Guertin...the Cards appear to be back under 1st year head coach Jeff Moore as they put on a show in their opening game, a 54-13 wipeout of Manchester Central.  QB JT Hiscoe was almost perfect throwing the ball with a 16-18, 223 yard, 5TD stat line.  

5.Bedford...new coach, a lot of new players...no problem for Bedford in a 48-0 blanking of Nashua North in Week 1.  I saw this team dominate Londonderry in the Queen City Jamboree and I didn't recognize more than a hand full of Bulldog players from the year before.  That's what you call a "program".

6.Saint Thomas...speaking of a program, that's exactly what coach Eric Cumba has built in just a few short years on the Seacoast.  The Saints return a boatload of talent from last years Division 2 runner up.  I'm a little surprised the rest of the voters don't think as highly of them as I do, but it's only the 1st week so it may take awhile for them to figure it out.

7.Salem...they won a close game in their opener vs what I think will be a tough team in Winnacunnet last Friday.  I like the running game led by Charles Sibanda and fullback Johnny Bartose.  And Sean Nartiff is a man-child on the lines.  

8.Windham...only 1 D2 team cracked the poll this week(St Thomas), but much like last year I'm on the Jaguars bandwagon early.  Should be a good early season test for coach Raycraft and company at Trinity on Friday night.  We'll have video coverage of that game right here on NH Sportspage.

9.Concord...people might call me crazy for having an 0-1 team that got crushed 42-7 on my ballot.  Come to think of it, they may be right, but this selection is more about what I think Concord is/will be.  It's still very early so time will tell.

10.Kennett...here's another team that deserves to be in the poll, but I think because they hail from the northern part of the state and play in D2 most of the other voters don't really think about them.  If you're interested in seeing what the Eagles are all about check out the highlight package on this website of Kennett's win over Merrimack Valley from last week and keep your eye on the quarterback, #8 Will Pollard.

Just missed the cut on my ballot...

Timberlane, the only reason the Owls aren't on my ballot this week instead of Concord is because I had the Tide ranked 4th on my preseason ballot so I couldn't bring myself to drop Concord out despite the lopsided loss against Goffstown.  Timberlane on the other hand acquitted themselves quite nicely in a close loss at Exeter.  Londonderry is another team that I considered placing in my Top 10...so I guess it's fitting they play Timberlane this weekend.  The winner probably gets my vote next week.