After a stunning upset of top seed and undefeated Windham in the semifinal round Plymouth was in the fight of their lives against a very good Bow football team in front of a crowd of thousands at UNH.

 Back & forth the two teams went as every momentum swing was met with a counter from the other before an end zone fade pass from Brandon Roy to Garrett Macomber in the final minutes of a classic Division II championship game proved to be the game winner.

 Macomber’s season reception total as the ball floated in the cool November air of Durham?

 Zero.

 As the football came down in the all-state running backs hands it was one of the biggest receptions in the storied history of Plymouth football. Whether it was his first, fifth or one hundredtd. It also made their head coach Chris Sanborn a championship coach.

 In the post-game interviews on the field at UNH receiver Colby Moore told me, “We wanted to get this for coach, to get the monkey off his back.”

 Only in Plymouth does a title in your third season equate to a slow build.

 For the Bobcats it was the best ending since Red found Andy on that beach in Zihuatanejo.

 For Bow it was another post-season heart breaker for one of the best football programs in New Hampshire.

 In 2017 Division II promises to be the most entertaining, wide open and exciting race of the three classes. It’s a division where any one of five or six teams could be deemed the favorite and just getting into the post-season will be a huge accomplishment.

 Just ask Con-Val and Milford who each went 6-3 last season and stayed home when the post-season began. “It sounds like a cliché but it’s a playoff game every weekend in this division,” said Milford head coach Keith Jones on a 90 degree day in August. “The last team standing in Durham this November will have earned it, that’s for sure.”

 With Trinity dropping out of their varsity schedule only weeks before the season began because of low numbers the schedule shift helped some and hurt others. All of which will come into play when there are only eight out of twenty one teams going to the post-season.

 Today we take a look at one of the great races in New Hampshire high school sports in the 2017-18 school year; the race for the Division II football title.

 

 We want to first of all thank the coaching staffs and football programs of four Division II schools that chose to support our NHsportspage team as Gold Level Members this season:

Windham football

Milford football

Sanborn football

Plymouth football

Bow football

Each team will have access to the FULL GAME videos of every game we cover this season. We hope more programs will join them as we work to bring the players, parents & coaches of our home state the best high school sports coverage in New England.

 

 Division II North (Playoff teams in Bold)

1.Plymouth

2.Bow

3.Hanover

4.John Stark 

5. Kennett

6. Laconia

7. Lebanon

8.  Merrimack Valley

9. Kingswood

10.Gilford-Belmont

11. Pembroke Acadeny

 

 Plymouth is known as a program with size, precision and execution. In 2017 you can add speed to the mix; the Bobcats are going to get up and down the field in a hurry. “We’re fast and it comes from having some of our best skill players returning but also because of the fact they have been in the system for years and know what we’re trying to do on every play,” said Chris Sanborn of the defending champs. “We don’t have the size and experience we had along both lines last season, so that is a concern, but we have guys who can really do something with the football in their hands.”

 It begins with our 2016 Player of the Year Garrett Macomber, the best back in Division II and a part-time pass catcher to boot. Macomber “Looks great,” in the pre-season according to his head coach and will be joined in the backfield by Owen Brickley, Ben Olmstead and Zach McGlone who will all compete for the quarterback job. Two way starter Nolan Farina returns from a season ending injury a year ago and his presence has made an impact right away. “When we lost him last season it really changed the look of our team,” said Sanborn. “So having him back is huge.”

 There are skill players all over the place; receivers Colby Moore and Wesley Lambert return alongside Connor Magowan while tight end Jordan Docen and slot receiver Anthony Velez could have all-state campaigns as receivers. “Both of those guys (Docen & Velez) have really looked good for us in the pre-season.”

 It is on the offensive and defensive line where Plymouth will have to improve as the season goes along. A year ago they were able to go toe to toe with programs like St Thomas, Windham and Bow is the post-season. How a group led by Dylan Hixon, Patrick Mignanelli and Thias Silvia comes together will tell a lot about how far Plymouth goes this season.

 Defensively there are few better secondary’s in the state as Isaiah Crane, Farina, Velez, Brickley and Docen all return. Sanborn pointed out Cam MacDonald has looked very good at defensive tackle while Patrick Malm will get time at linebacker. Danny Carey, who made a very big kick a year ago against Windham, returns at the placekicker. The pieces are there for another run. “We were fortunate to get to where we got to a year ago, we beat some great teams,” said Sanborn of one last look back at 2016. “We are going to have to be really good to get there again, this division is loaded. It’s week to week that we are focused on.”

 Paul Cohen and his coaching staff have a team at Bow capable of another November run to Durham. There are key players to replace but a talented and now playoff tested nucleus returns.

 Matt Harkins returns at quarterback and will be joined in the backfield by returners Jack Corriveau and Mark Borak. Ben Kimball return’s this season after missing all of last season with an injury giving the Falcons plenty of options on offense.

 Nolan Filteau (T) , Jack Tellifson (G), Andrew Berube (T) and Justin Porath (TE) return on to both the offensive line where the production and blocking of all-state tight end Nate Alford will be difficult to replace.

 Defensively Nolan Filteau (DT), Jack Corriveau (OLB), Andre Berube (DT), Matt Scanlon (CB), Jack Wixson (S) and Justin Porath (DE) all return to a team that earned playoff wins over John Stark and Hanover a year ago.

 2016 was a special season for the John Stark Generals that ended too early. Led by Drew McQuarrie, Jacob Fitts & Cooper Gorski a talented group spent time in the statewide power poll and were some people's pick to win the Division II title. But a Bow team that had beaten them at home (in a rainy game we covered) was just a tough match-up for the Generals and sent them home in the first round.

 In 2017 a new McQuarrie takes over at quarterback and a big offensive & defensive line gives John Stark hope for another run this fall. “It’s going to be tough to replace those seniors from a year ago,” said McQuarrie. “You’re talking about a very special group to not only me but this program.”

 6’7 Parker McQuarrie takes over at quarterback after seeing valuable time as the starter a year ago. “As he goes along his confidence will build,” says his father. “Where Drew was more of an improvisational quarterback Parker wants to know where everyone is supposed to be on a given play. As we go game to game everything will slow down for him.”

 Bo Lyons has looked very good in the pre-season and will get a high volume of carries out of the backfield along with Manny Biskaduros and Jake Cole, who returns to John Stark after playing for Trinity. Replacing Gorski, a two time all-state receiver, will not be easy but Vedin Fowler and Jack Baumann, who might have the best hands on the team, look more than capable of stepping right in and making an impact.

 The line play on both sides of the ball should be a real strength. That group is led by Zach Handy (C/NT), Grady Edwards, Noah Bellemore, Bradley Akerly and James Munson. “Depth on the line is going to be something to watch. We’re young when we sub and how those kids develop are going to be a key,” said McQuarrie.

 Sophomore Jake Ryder is a player to watch at linebacker, “He brings it every day,” noted McQuarrie. “I love his attitude out on the field. He just loves to play.” David Hughes is another player who could have a breakout season on defense. Both Arron Bergeron and Fowler have looked good at linebacker while Cole and Biskaduros will lead the Generals secondary. “We’re excited to get going. We all want to see where this group can go this season and in a very good division every week is going to be a challenge.”

  Vaughn Beckwith knows he has a Kennett team capable of making news in the post-season. The goal after a one year absence is to get back in as the Eagles return a solid core in 2017. “ Depth will be the key for us, as I’m sure it will be with a lot of teams,” said Beckwith. “ I’d put our starters up against anybody in our division but how we develop our second unit guys will be key.”

 Brett Miller returns at quarterback after taking over for UNH bound Will Pollard two years ago. “ He’s a quiet leader and he’s worked very hard over the off-season.” Depth will not be an issue in the backfield as Devin Ouellette, Trey Snowden and Dominic Jones will all get carries. Jones, the cousin of former all-state performer Drew MacDonald and just  a sophomore, catches the ball very well out of the backfield and has a chance to be special. “ He comes in with that mentality to work and make plays for us. His development will be fun to watch.”

 Ryan Meader and Sam Pollard, who has moved over from quarterback to start at receiver, both will make an impact. On the offensive and defensive lines Trevor Mills, Sam Barrows and center Sloan Rogers will all start while Jacob Stearns returns after an all-state campaign a year ago.

 Snowden will quarterback the defense from the secondary after an all-state season a year ago while Trevor Mills moves over to linebacker from the safety spot to play alongside Jones and Jack Hanson.

 Craig Kozens’ Laconia Sachems are another team capable of playing into November, yet another example of the depth in Division II. Riley Roy returns for his third season as the starting quarterback and will have plenty of weapons to choose from including Drew Muzzey, who takes over for Jake Filgate as the team’s primary back. “ Drew has run very well so far in the pre-season,” said Kozens. “ He has great speed. We will try and get him involved early and often.”

 Bradley Weeks and Jacob Steele will join Muzzey in the backfield while 6’3 Jake Bartlett and Ryan McCrea will line up at the tight end & receiver spots. Three starters return on the offensive line as Bryce McCrea, Ben Beliveau, Caleb Hounsell and Stephen Towers give Kozens a very strong foundation up front. “ I worry about our depth on the line but we’ll rotate guys in and out to make sure we are fresh late in games,” said Kozens. “That’s where a lot of games may be decided this year, late in the game.”

 Weeks and McCrea will see time at linebacker while Steele will quarterback the secondary. Kozens also expects a good season out of Tyler Richter. “ We have just under 40 players so developing guys as the season goes along is going to crucial,” said Kozens of Laconia’s 2017 prospects. “ We open with Hanover, and that’s going to be huge game for us. It starts right away and we’ll need to be ready.”

 Year One after (Ryan) Milliken begins for Lebanon with a very good offensive line and some underclassman ready for their time in the spotlight. Will it be enough to get Chris Childs Raiders back to the post-season? “ We have a group I like a lot, a hardnosed group,” said Childs. “ We have a strong senior group and if the underclassman improve as we go along we have a chance for another good season.”

 Sophomore John Willeman will step into the starting quarterback role with 6’4 back Matt Eylander lined up behind him. Eylander will be a key for the Raiders as he is also one of their best linebackers. “ He has the chance to have a very good season for us, on both sides of the ball,” said Childs. “ We have a lot of confidence in him.”

 Solomon Mellish, (“ He runs very hard,” notes Childs) and speedy back Ryan Sullivan will get carries as well behind a good offensive line that features four year starter Ryan Shippa, Tyler Spaulding, Matt Gilligan, Tyler Tewksbury, Wade Rainey and sophomore Noah Tyler. “ I have a lot of confidence in that group we just need to avoid injuries.”

 That is because with only 30 players on the roster the lines will play both ways without a lot of protection from the second and third units. “ Last season a lot of people counted us out early,”  (guilty…) “ so you feel like if the kids keep working and improving we will have another good chance at the post-season,” said Childs.

 The alma mater…after joining forces with Belmont, struggled in Year 1 at the Division II level a year ago after being a consistent playoff team in lower divisions. In his second year as head coach Josh Marzahl hopes Gilford-Belmont develops a very strong group of underclassman this season to build the foundation of the program. “ We have a very good group of freshman coming in so the key is to develop that group as we compete in the division week to week.”

 Greg Madore will take over at quarterback and has the size at 6’3 to move the ball down the field throwing or passing it. “ Greg’s a good athlete and he has the ability to get you the short yardage you sometimes need from your quarterback,” said Marzahl. Dylan Gansert will get the bulk of the carries at running back while Tanner Woods returns after being one of the leading receivers on the team a year ago.

 Patrick Carr is a first year tight end coming over from the Gilford soccer team while 6’6 330 lb. lineman Ethan Ormes anchors an offensive and defensive line that includes Drew Shoemaker. Brandon Cole will lead the Gilford-Belmont secondary. “ A tough schedule got even more difficult when Trinity came off the schedule and Windham came on,” said Marzahl. “ We’ve had a very successful youth football program so the key is developing  those kids to compete for years to come.”

 

 Player of the Year candidates: Garrett Macomber of Plymouth, Dan Spezzaferi of Con Val, Matt Simco of Hollis-Brookline, Tim Bouchard of St Thomas and Parker McQuarrie of John Stark

 

Division II South (playoff teams in Bold)

1.Windham

2.St Thomas

3.Hollis-Brookline

4.Milford

5. Con Val

6. Sanborn

7. Souhegan

8. Pelham

9. Hopkinton-Hillsboro Deering

10.  Manchester West

 In talking to Windham head coach Bill Raycraft you always got the sense that he realized how special it was that his Jaguars had advanced to the Division II title game at UNH in back to back seasons. Winning the title in 2015.

 Raycraft has been coaching long enough to know how hard it was just to get there, and last season his players learned that lesson in the toughest way possible. The Jaguars were upset in an instant classic on their home field by eventual champion Plymouth and left to watch as the 4 seed and the 7 seed squared off for the title a week later.

 In 2017 Windham, one of the best football programs in New Hampshire, again has the talent, depth and coaching to get back to Durham. Their head coach also knows he doesn’t need to supply the motivation. “ It doesn’t come up a lot but it also doesn’t need to,” said Raycraft of last season’s semifinal loss. “ It’s certainly added fuel to the fire and I really like the character of this group. They want to finish what they start this season.”

 Cody Potter returns at quarterback for the Jaguars. The junior goes from ‘game manager’ to a player capable of getting Windham down the field, in a hurry. “ He’s really come into his own,” said his head coach. “ He sees the field now much better than he did a year ago, the game has slowed down for him.”

 The Jaguars never seem to have a primary back, more often its four or five players that can all make big plays. That remains the case in 2017 as Jake Aleksa, Tommy Emrick and Royce Belsky all will get a heavy workload out of the backfield. Raycraft likes the group behind them as well, “ We have a very talented second group so we will get carries out of all of them.” Thomas Spagounias will see time at tight end while Jimmy Williams will be one of the teams featured wide receivers.

 A deep offensive line will be anchored by Hayden Wilson and Robert Tringale while the Jaguars defense might be the best defensive unit in the division. “ I think right now the defense is the strength of our team,” said Raycraft. Belsky and Cody Stevens will be featured at linebacker while Windham boasts one of the best secondary’s in the state. “ This is a very good division and it’s going to be a very fun race. You wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Raycraft.

 Ryan Brown takes over as head coach at St Thomas, replacing one of the best coaches in the division in Eric Cumba who stepped down last year. The spread offense remains as does one of the most versatile football players in the state. “ We are going to play Tim Bouchard all over the place, simply because he excels in so many areas,” said Brown of his all-state senior.

 Shawn DeKorne returns at quarterback after an injury riddled season a year ago and his head coach expects a very big year out of his signal caller. “ He’s worked very hard and taken a big step in his play,” said Brown. “ He has the arm talent, he’s a smart kid and a natural leader out there. We’re excited to see what he does this season.”

 Cade Bausmann will lead a rushing attack that should have good depth. Receiver Jack Benelli is another key player who is expected to produce big numbers after an injury suffered a year ago. Edwin Estevez and Derek O’Brien return to the spread offense they ran under Cumba a year ago. “The kids are very comfortable in the offense and they were very well coached in the system,” said Brown. “ When you have talent you want to get them out in space..basketball on a football field. With kids like (Tim) Bouchard you want to get them the ball and we’ll do that.”

 Gavin Scoon, Griffin Quinn and center Dan Youch will anchor the offensive line while a very good defense will be led by Bouchard at free safety, O’Brien & Estevez  at cornerback and Tyler Wiggin at defensive end. “ It’s a really good group and they’ve really been fun to coach. We have a very tough schedule and that’s exactly how we want it. We want to prove ourselves against the best every week,” said Brown.

 Head coach Chris Lones and Hollis-Brookline got a taste of the post-season a year ago. Now with their quarterback returning and maybe the best two-way player in the division they expect to make a return appearance in November. “ That’s the mindset of this group, to take the next step,” said Lones. “ We know how competitive this division is and we feel like we have a group capable of competing week to week.”

 Joey Delaney is a big reason for that optimism after a breakout year at quarterback last season. “He’s improved and more confident than he was heading into last season,” said Lones. It will be a running back by committee for the Cavaliers as Brandon Iodice, Ronnie Hillard and Daniel Martin will all carry the football.

 There is depth at wide receiver and it starts with one of the best in the state, Matt Simco. “ There isn’t a receiver I would take over him in the state,” said Lones. Jeff Arnold and Mike Gillespie will give Delaney two big time receivers to look for while the line play will be anchored by returning starters Sal Fabbio, Jeremiah Lones, Clement Sherwood, Garrett Moloney and Austin Etchells. “ We have a great deal of confidence in that group and a lot of success in high school football begins with your play in the trenches.”

 Simco is one of the best free safety’s in the state and Lones expects a very big year out of safety Ben Lindsey. Gillespie is an underrated corner for a defense that won’t have to pitch a shutout every weekend playing with a very good offense. What it all adds up to is Hollis-Brookline being another tough out come November.

 When Milford is at their best they are a physical football team that pounds and wears you down over the course of four quarters. In talking to head coach Keith Jones in the pre-season that recipe hasn’t changed in 2017. “ There is a real toughness with this group and our ability to play on both lines is going to keep us in games week to week,” said Jones. “ We have some players with great character and that is always a very good trait.”

 It begins with quarterback Zach King who leads this team in the huddle and by example. “ He’s an unbelievable leader, the first one ready to go at practice and often the last to leave,” said Jones. “He’s not a big rah rah guy he’s just a player who is so well prepared that his teammates follow.”

 Milford, like Windham, is a team that likes to feature several backs and that will be the case again as Maverick Dodier and Dylan Salisbury will lead a deep unit. A very big and physical offensive line has been dinged up in the pre-season but with all-state performer Michael Boucher, Ryan Costello and Jaxson Mims leading the way the Spartans are more than capable of moving you off of your spot. Owen Hutchinson, Nick Mazzeo, Gavin Urda (I think I’ve covered 11 Urda’s..) and Victor Garcia give Jones depth at receiver and in the slot.

 Nick Lapan and Colton Burrows will anchor the defensive line for a defense with more depth than a year ago. “ We have a lot of big physical players, we just need to stay healthy,” said Jones. “ Last season we went 6-3 and didn’t get in on the last day of the season, we don’t want to go through that again. We have to take care of business from Week 1.”

 No one needs to explain why 6-3 wasn’t enough to get into the post-season in 2016 to Paul Landau. Con Val lived it.

 This year with a player of the year candidate at quarterback and more depth than a year ago the Cougars want to take the drama out of the last weekend of the season. “ You can see with this group there is a confidence that we can compete with anyone in the division,” said Landau. “ At the same time the kids want to get into the post-season. In this division, with this many good teams, you want to get in and then it’s anybody’s title to win from there.”

 That belief begins with maybe the best quarterback in Division II as Dan Spezzaferri returns for his senior season. “ Last year you saw him learning week to week and you see now that it really had an effect,” said Landau. “ He communicates really well with the coaching staff and has become more of a vocal leader.”

 Scott Stanley returns after suffering an injury last season, a running back built like an old school fullback capable of moving the pile. Zach Obuchowski gives Con Val speed out of the backfield while Makeen Wilson may be poised for a breakout year at wide receiver. “ I would be surprised if he wasn't among the leading receivers in the state this season,” predicts Landau.

 The line play is anchored by Dan Curran, Andrew Stockwell and Jake Phillips, who all started a year ago.

 Phillips is a three year starter at middle linebacker and is joined by Stockwell at linebacker while Curran is an all-state nose tackle. There’s talent and toughness all over the field and the fight for one of the eight playoff spots begins Friday night (in a game we will have full video coverage of) at Milford. “ It’s a playoff game every weekend and we’re ready to fight for one of those spots,” said Landau.

  When you name three captains in the pre-season it’s usually a safe assumption at least two of them will get to the final game of the season without a major injury. That was not the case for John Welch and his Sanborn team who have had what can only be classified as extremely bad luck when it comes to losing key players. “ At some point you look around and say ‘ Am I doing something to deserve this?’” joked Welch.

 In 2017 Brian McHough returns at quarterback and will be joined in a talented backfield by Chris Hanna (“ He has looked terrific in the pre-season”) and Shaun Murphy. Those three team captains are all capable of all-state campaigns and if healthy, give Sanborn a shot to return to the playoffs after a one year absence.

 Conor Jackson is a three year starter on the line and will be joined by two year starter Ben Soares. Cullen McQuire is a tight end capable of helping both the passing and running attack for Welch’s team.

 The defensive line will feature Jackson, Soares, Jonah George at defensive tackle and Owen Snively at defensive end. Hanna has a chance to be one of the best linebackers in the division with his ability to go sideline to sideline while the secondary will take some time to develop behind Murphy & McHough. “ It’s been a fun group to coach, the key is staying healthy because this is a very tough division to be shorthanded in,” said Welch.

 

Coming Thursday: Division I