Before we take a look at each of the semifinal games this weekend a reminder that each of our three championship game previews next week will feature scouting reports on all six teams using blind quotes from current coaches. Now on to the semifinal round games…

Division II

(3) Milford at (1) St Thomas the game will be played at Portsmouth high school

 Was Milford’s play of the year a 35 yard punt?

 You wouldn’t get any arguments from head coach Keith Jones. As QB/P Max Urda scrambled around with his back to the end zone, Souhegan, one of the best special teams units in the state closed in on him in a game that was ready to turn on one key mistake. Instead of being tackled inside his own 10 yard line Urda broke to the outside and somehow got off a good punt that cost the Sabers about 50 yards of field position (the play is one of many highlights on our game video Milford vs Souhegan).

 Milford soon forced a Sabers turnover and in the end it may have been the tipping point in a game that could have gone either way.

 You had a feeling no one was scoring in the thirties in that game and this week the Spartans face the best offense in Division II with a trip to UNH on the line.

 This is a battle between strength and speed. The Saints will convince you they have both but where Milford wins this game is between the tackles and proving they have the ability to cover in space. Keith Jones’ team has to go in believing they can wear that St Thomas defensive line down while Eric Cumba’s team has to go in believing Milford cannot cover all of their wideouts.

 The moment you knew Monadnock had a chance to stay in their first round game last week was after they laid a huge lick on Saints QB Stevie Hedberg on the first play from scrimmage. Milford has to similarly lay enough big hits to have St Thomas looking over their shoulder on short throws. Hedberg is very accurate but 90% of his throws are going to come in the 10 to 15 yard range, this is a team that excels with yards after the catch with guys like Trevor Martin and Nate Grunbeck. Milford has to keep those yards to a minimum if they are going to win Saturday afternoon.

 Winner here is going into the championship game as the favorite to win it all.

 We will bring you all the highlights and post-game interviews as Justin McIsaac, Jennifer Chick and Trinity head coach Steve Burns will be there Saturday afternoon.  We'd like to thank Ryan George and PROFORM Athletic Development & Fitness Training for supporting our coverage of the game!
 
 (2) Kennett at (1) Windham

 The second semifinal game is also a game of contrasting styles. Windham has rotated Ben Emrick (more of a thrower) and Matt Shea (more of a running QB) behind center after the season ending injury to Griffin Lippold. Bill Raycraft and a very good Jaguar coaching staff trusts their defense enough to try and control field position & avoid giving the other team a short field with a turnover.

 Victor Pizzotti has delivered the breakout season from the linebacker spot that his head coach predicted. Saturday one of the best defensive backfields in the state led by Matt Shea, Shane Lafond and Ben Emerick will try to make Kennett all-state quarterback Will Pollard throw the ball the short. Pollard threw a flawless pass to his top wide receiver Drew McDonald on the game winning score last Saturday night against Kearsarge and that is the play Windham wants to take away. Pollard can convert third and long with his arm or his legs, few quarterbacks in the state have his ability, so look for Pizzotti to play a big role in trying to slow him down.

 If you believe Windham is advancing to UNH to defend their title you have to think they will do it by controlling the clock and wearing Kennett down over four quarters with their physicality. If you believe Kennett can go into Mount Jaguar and get to UNH next Saturday it will because you believe a defensive unit that features Theo Scarlett has been underrated playing outside of the South conference. You also would have to like the chances that Pollard will make enough plays to pull off the (very mild) upset.

 At this stage both teams have every reason to expect they’ll be moving on to UNH next weekend.  Expect this one to go to the wire.