For the past three seasons, Division II has been called the deepest division in the state with nothing speaking more to that than the fact that Bow has advanced to back to back championship games at UNH as a 7 seed in 2016 and an 8 seed a year ago

 Plymouth, with their winning tradition and back to back titles, is the first team opposing coaches mentioned in just about every call I made. The Bobcats though have a lot to replace. Chris Sanborn’s team lost an excellent senior class to graduation and plays a very tough schedule to open the season.

 The theme remains the same in 2018……….Division II is about getting one of the 8 coveted playoff spots and then making the most of it once you get there. The difference between high school basketball and high school football is that good football teams get left home when the playoffs begin.

 That will happen again in 2018 but with the balanced schedules there should be little to complain about come November. Every team in the conference gets their shot at one another and that all begins on Friday night.

 Today we take a look at Division II in the second of our four football previews and try to predict the eight teams that will be left standing in November.

 Our preview is sponsored by our new partners at White Mountains Community College (WMCC Website)

 White Mountains Community College will be the sponsor of our North Country coverage throughout the year and will also be sponsoring the Player of the Month award from those schools, which include Kennett and Plymouth Regional.

 

 

 North

 

 *- indicates playoff team

 

1. Plymouth *
2. Bow *
3. Hanover *
4. Kennett *
5. John Stark
6. Merrimack Valley
7. Kingswood
8. Gilford-Belmont
9. Pembroke Academy

 

 Plymouth remains the favorite to win the north conference but this is a team that lost a ton of playmakers to graduation and in 2018 it will come down to how well the next class in line steps up.

 “We lost a lot last year and what they take with them is experience; experience in certain situations, experience against certain offenses, against certain defenses,” said head coach Chris Sanborn. “That’s difficult to replicate and our schedule at the beginning of the year is very challenging.”

 Zach McGlone is a senior captain and will take over at quarterback with sophomore Cody Bannon also expected to see time under center (there are very few shotgun formations coming out of Plymouth).

 All-state performer Owen Brickley returns to get the bulk of the carries at running back and begins the season as one of the top players in the state. “He’s looked really good in the pre-season for us and he’s a leader as well,” said Sanborn.

 Anthony Velez is an excellent and experienced slot receiver while Kenny Maddocks & Jackson Palombo will play tight end. A very good offensive line is anchored by Steve Shute (an all-interview team member a year ago), Cam MacDonald, Seth Sawyer and Patrick Malm.

 On defense, Brickley quarterbacks the secondary as a two-time all-state performer while Shute and MacDonald also head up the defensive line. Sanborn is expecting a big year out of Malm at the linebacker spot. “He’s been really good for us so far and I expect that to continue.”

 All of which makes the two-time defending champions the favorites, but by a slimmer margin than a year ago when a loaded team headed into the season. “You’re nuts if you pick us first,” said my CHaD game color commentator.

 I’ve been called worse..

 Bow would love to advance to UNH for a third straight season, they just hope they don’t have to keep pulling off road upsets to get there.

 The Falcons first must replace quarterback Matt Harkins, who piloted the offense to those championship games. Corey Gott will take over at quarterback will be joined in the backfield with Steven Guerrette.

 Bow has depth at the position so expect Matt Nicholls, Tommy Rolla, Jack Wixson, Tyler Bennett and Sebastian Beaulieu to also see action in the backfield.

 The offensive line should again be a strength with Andrew Berube, Seamus O’Reilly, Chris Wheeler and Ben Boisvert returning.  The newcomers on the line this year will include Mike McLean who will contribute right away.

 Bow has always used their tight end as a weapon, with all-state TE Nate Alford being a force in past playoff runs. John Routhier and Alex Boufford will both see time at the position this fall.

 Defensively there are a lot of new faces mixed in with returning starters.

 Andrew Berube (DT), Matt Nicholls (DE), Jack Wixson (CB), Seamus O’Reilly (LB)  and Sebastian Beaulieu (CB) all return and will be joined by newcomers Will Zachistal (DT), John Routhier (LB), Steven Guerrette (S), Chris Wheeler (LB), Andrew Robbins (LB), and Ben Boisvert (DE).

 Sam Cavallaro’s Hanover Marauders have been a tough out the past four seasons and with key players returning that isn’t going to change in 2018. “ We have 16 seniors on the roster so it starts with those guys.”

 The quarterback position will be up for grabs but what is clear is that Hanover has plenty of talent to get the ball to. Mason Winter & Simon Roach may see time at several positions and are joined in the backfield by Jack Loftus, and Griffin Young. “ We are very deep at running back,” said Cavallaro. “ Offensively we feel like we have a lot of weapons.”

 Those weapons include wide receiver Kegan Silovich and all-state level tight end Jeffrey Holt. Bobby Putnam will anchor an offensive line that includes brother Elijah Putnam.

 The defense is small but fast and is led by Bobby Putnam at defensive tackle, Roach at middle linebacker and Kaleb Morse at safety. “ It’s a good group that is working hard,” said Cavallaro. “ We’re excited to compete.”

 Division II often comes down to the team that wins in the trenches, and in 2018 Kennett will have strength on both lines as four of five starters return for head coach Vaughn Beckwith. “It starts with those guys up front. We have a lot of experience and good size,” said Beckwith. “You hope to see that all translate on the field.”

 Trey Snowden was set to start at quarterback but suffered a season-ending injury at football camp this summer. In his place will be sophomore Parker Coleman. “He’s a very bright kid,” said his head coach. “You tell him something once and he picks it right up.”

 If Coleman is inexperienced his backfield is not. Devon Ouellette and Dominic Jones return to give the Eagles one of the better rushing attacks in the division. Trevor LaRusso and Braedan Bailey give Coleman a pair of pass-catching tight ends to throw to as Ouellette will also be used in passing situations.

 The line is anchored by two-time all-state performer Jacob Stearns. He will be joined on a very good offensive line by Sloan Rogers, Will Eaton, and 6’3 275 lb. Sam Barrows. “We have some tough kids on the line and they have worked really hard to get better,” said Beckwith.

 Griffin Noyes will be one of the defensive leaders from the defensive end position while Barrows, Jones, Eaton, Ethan Ouellette and sophomore Kyle Perry (son of Kennett legend Jeff Perry) will all contribute. “It’s a fun group and with a lot of starters back the goal is obviously to get back to the playoffs.”

 John Stark comes into 2018 with a new coach (Kevin McGinty) and a new quarterback (Nate Tower). What remains is enough experience to make another playoff push towards November. “ It’s going to be a new look offense and a very familiar looking defense,” said McGinty after he moved over to head coach from defensive coordinator after Rod McQuarrie stepped down.

 With Coach McQuarrie goes 6’6 quarterback Parker McQuarrie who went to prep school and has offers from schools like Boston College and Michigan (who is ..SPOILER ALERT.. losing to Notre Dame Saturday night).

 Nate Tower takes over at quarterback but you might see wildcat formations where backs like all-state returnee Jake Cole takes the direct snap. “ We are going to run the football primarily and Jake will certainly get the bulk of those carries,” said McGinty.

 Logan Beliveau gives the Generals a good runner in between the tackles while the offensive line will be anchored by Noah Fillimore who was an all-state guard a year ago. Aaron Bergeron gives Stark a home run threat at wide receiver.

 Jacob Ridenour was the leading tackler a year ago and returns at linebacker to head up the defense. “ We have a lot of sophomores replacing seniors and that’s tough. Sophomores just can’t react, they have to think out there until they’ve seen enough to be comfortable. That will be a challenge for us early on as they gain experience,” said McGinty.

 Gilford-Belmont still feels like a team in the wrong division (with only 32 players on the roster they mirror the size of many Division IV teams) but behind a strong sophomore class, there is optimism for a run in the next two years. “ The goal is to continue to get our young group experience and the hope is that pays off for us down the road,” said head coach Josh Marzahl.

 Sophomore Alex Cheek takes over at quarterback and is joined in the backfield by fellow sophomores Brandon Gallagher & Blake Descoteaux. The alma mater has a good tight end in Patrick Carr and several players on the lines returning, led by Pierce Brown, Mike Schwartzkopf, Bobby Tonkin and Austin Didsbury.

 The defense will be led by linebacker John Mitchell, Ethan Roy, and Carr coming off the edge as a pass rusher. “ The kids feel like they are building something,” said Marzahl. “The sophomore class has had a lot of success at the younger levels and they want to make a run in this division. We’re building towards that.”

 

 South

 

1. St Thomas *
2. Milford *
3. Alvirne *
4. Pelham *
5. Souhegan
6. Hollis-Brookline
7. Con Val
8. Sanborn
9. Manchester West

 

 When you talk about St Thomas it’s the wide-open offense that comes to mind first but in 2018 the Saints may get back to Durham behind an elite defense.

 Ryan Brown’s team features Evan Briggs, Hunter Lassard and Nick Tosatti returning at linebacker to play in front of an elite secondary that features Edwin Estevez, Derek O’Brien, and Holden Vieira.

 The offense will again be one of the best in the division as all-state quarterback Shawn DeKorne returns as the starter. DeKorne will have weapons all over the field including Jack Benelli and Estevez. Giving the Saints enough firepower to win games in front of what looks to be an elite defense.

 After covering Keith Jones’ teams at Milford for over a decade the best way to describe the character of their football program would be…well…..” We lack a ton of speed but we are tough. Tough as nails,” Jones said of his 2018 edition. “We have a lot of kids who are going to make you work for it against us.”

 Yeah, that’s how I’d describe Milford football.

 With starters returning, a familiar name at quarterback and their biggest nemesis (Windham) off to Division I it feels like Milford is gearing up for a run that could land them in Durham this November.

 Junior Gavin Urda will follow in the footsteps of his older brothers and be a very important two-way player for Jones. Urda will play quarterback and is joined in the backfield by Victor Garcia, Owen Zalenski and big (and I mean really big) back Junior Ughu.

 If you have trouble finding Ughu on the field, chances are he’s the kid carrying tacklers four or five yards down the field on his back. “ He’s load, just a big strong physical kid who is going to help us on both sides of the ball,” said Jones.

 The core of most Milford teams is on their offensive line and 2018 is no different as three starters return from a year ago. Nick Lapan will help anchor a line that includes Alex Taylor and Colton Burrows. “ I really like the make-up of that group,” said Jones.

 Burrows will lead the defense from the tackle spot alongside Lapan at nose tackle. Urda and Garcia will head up the secondary while Ughu & Zalenski will start at linebacker.

 If Jones is happy to see Windham go (up) he is not admitting it. “ We loved competing against Windham. We want to test ourselves against the best and this is a division with a lot of very good football teams.”

 Windham moved up, Alvirne moved down. It’s been a while since the Broncos have been in the conversation but with head coach Tarek Rothe leading a group that caught the attention of some prominent Division I coaches a year ago, that’s likely about to change.

 “ We want to compete in a very good division and just as importantly, we want to change the football culture,” said Rothe of his team that includes several key returnees.

 Sophomore Kyle Gora will start at quarterback for the Broncos (“ He can throw the football well and he’s very athletic,” said his head coach) and will be joined in the backfield by Alex Giuffrida and Owen Pedi. “ They are our thunder & lightning combo,” joked Rothe. “ Alex gives us strength between the tackles and Owen gives us speed.”

 Gora will throw to players like Paul Manzi, a 6’4 basketball standout who is ready for a breakout season in football. Joining him at receiver will be Morgan Williams and Connor Mackey.

 The offensive line will be led by Tommy Keegan and Jake Champagne. Defensively Rothe has a good group of linebackers led by Mitch Dobek and Giuffrida. Gora will lead the Alvirne secondary. “ It feels like we belong in Division II,” said Rothe of the move down due to enrollment. “ We don’t want to just compete, we want to play for something bigger and that’s where I hope this program is headed.”

 The team nobody wanted to face in the playoffs last year, never actually got in the playoffs. Pelham won their last four games of the season last year, all by shutout, but missed out on the playoffs when Souhegan and Bow earned the last two spots in the eight-team tournament field.

 A year later Tom Babaian is about to find out if momentum carries over from one regular season to the next. “ Numbers are up this year and there is some momentum from last year but at the end of the day, you have to go out and win football games. In this division that is never easy,” said the head coach of his 2018 Pythons.

 Three players were still battling for the starting quarterback job in the pre-season but what is not to be determined is who they are getting the football to. Brett Lindsay returns at running back after a big season a year ago. “ He’s going to carry the load for us,” said Babaian. “ He comes up with those extra yards you need to move the chains.”

 Colby Travis will contribute right away at wide receiver while Nick Milano gives Pelham a very good threat at tight end.

 Division II is often won in the trenches and that is where Pelham is at its best, as they return four of five starters on the line. Evan & Owen Haskins are joined up front by Ed Shlimon to give Lindsay and the Pelham backs plenty of space to maneuver.

 Lindsay will lead a linebacking group that includes Shlimon while Charlie Katin will be a key defensive standout as well. “ The defense has been good across the board early on and now it’s on to the regular season,” said the veteran head coach. “ We’re excited to compete.”

 Second-year head coach Robin Bowkett has a Souhegan team capable of not only making the playoffs again but doing damage once they get there. He also realizes it will be a dogfight just to get one of the eight spots. Such is life in a very tough conference. “D2 South is a very strong conference, and I love the fact that we now all play each other once,” said Bowkett. “ What we need to see now is where we stack up.”

 The optimism around the Sabers begins with quarterback John Lohnes, who returns after starting a year ago. He will be joined in the backfield by Jacob Grassett, Tyler Hall, and Riley Lawhorn. “ We have a bunch of players we have confidence in at the running back spot,” said Bowkett. “ It’s a great spot to have depth.”

 Trey Johnson may be set for a big season at slot receiver while Aiden Casey will contribute right away as well. The offensive line is anchored by Vincent Bowman and Ries Grondstra, who Bowkett noted has had a very strong pre-season.

 Defensively Grassett returns after leading the team with 99 tackle at linebacker a year ago. Sophomore Mike Maroun steps into the mix at linebacker.

 All of which means year two for Bowkett could last well into November. “ Year two as a head coach is just such a difference for not only the coaches and I but the kids.”

 “You understand where you are as far as your football culture and what you need to get done as a group. It’s been a much easier pre-season as far as the players understanding what we are doing and it’s a great group of players to work with.”

 Chris Lones and Hollis-Brookline return a deep group of wide receivers and the leading passer in Division II a year ago. The Cavaliers will score and they’re always fun to watch. The question is can the defense become an elite unit as well?

 Sander Wimmer, still only a junior, returns to lead the Cavalier offense. “ He’s evolved as a passer,” said Lones of his signal caller. “ He has a better grasp of the offense and a lot of those missed reads a year ago should turn into big plays for our offense. The fact that he was able to put up big numbers with that little experience says a lot about him.”

 Brandon Iodice returns to join Wimmer in the backfield while a loaded group of receivers includes twin brother Quinten, Chad Brown and Mike Gillespie. JT Arnold is still coming back from an injury but should be in the mix this season.

 The line play is anchored by the coaches’ son Jeremiah Lones, Sal Fabbio and Austin Etchells. Two sophomores Quinn Connors & Austin Slater will jump into the starting lineup. “ Our line is probably the most important unit on our football team,” noted Lones. “ We have to rotate guys in & out to stay fresh so we’ll need depth there.”

 Four players will rotate at linebacker with Fabbio and Connors leading that group.

 “ With 41 players on the roster, you need everyone to contribute. I like what I’ve seen so far.”

 A year ago injuries seemed to derail a playoff push at Con Val. In 2018 a young nucleus is forming under first-year head coach Ray Puglisi after former head coach Paul Landau left to become the athletic director at Belmont.

“ The kids have come in with a great attitude and work ethic,” said Puglisi. “ We have a lot of underclassmen but that allows a lot of players to compete for starting spots.”

 Keenan Wilson will handle quarterback duties after playing the position last season after an injury to Dan Spezzaferri. “ Keenan did a nice job coming in a year ago but now that he is the full-time starter it allows him to take on more of a leadership role,” said Puglisi.

 It will be running back by committee in the backfield as Con Val will split the carries among up to four different players. Carter Hunt returns at wide receiver along with Erich Clark & tight end Liam Denehy.

 Justin Clark and Nick Bernier will anchor the offensive line while freshmen Garreth Armstrong will step right into the mix from Day 1.

 Andrew Stockwell returns at linebacker after an all-state campaign a year ago and will be joined on the defense by Justin Burns and Carter Hunt. “ 15 of our 43 players are freshman so this is a young group but we have some experience coming back and that gives us a lot of confidence going into the season,” said Puglisi, who worked on the coaching staff a year ago.

 

Listen LIVE to the New Hampshire High School Football Show with Pete Tarrier & Dave Haley every Saturday morning at 9 am.

 You can listen by clicking the listen live link right on our homepage or on 99.9 FM & 1370 WFEA radio in the Manchester area Saturday mornings.

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Coming Friday: Division III and Week 1 Staff Picks