Playing against teams from a smaller division, top-ranked Exeter High, No. 2 Pinkerton Academy of Derry and and Manchester Central had little trouble strengthening their hold in the top three spots in the New Hamsphire Union Leader/WGIR/WMUR High School Football Power Poll, each recording a decisive Week 1 victory this weekend.

Exeter, which routed Seacoast neighbor Dover Friday night, 42-7, received seven of a possible eight first-place votes in balloting by representatives of the three statewide media outlets, totaling 79 points. Pinkerton, which received the other first-place vote and totaled 72 points, retained the second spot after defeating then-No. 4 Bishop Guertin of Nashua, 20-3. Manchester Central routed Timberlane Regional of Plaistow, 32-0, and remained at No. 3 with 65 points.

Exeter, Pinkerton and Central all are Division I schools, while Dover, BG and Timberlane are in Division II.

The defeat dropped BG to No. 9 in the poll, while Dover, which entered the season ranked sixth, fell out of the top 10 altogether. Salem, a Division I, also dropped out of the top 10 after suffering a 62-7 rout at the hands of the team with which it had shared the No. 9 spot, Division II Keene.

Entering the poll this week were Winnacunnet of Hampton, tied for seventh with Portsmouth, and Concord, alone at No. 10.

The Power Poll top 10 after Week 1:

1. Exeter (1-0)
2. Pinkerton (1-0)
3. Manchester Central (1-0)
4. Nashua South (1-0)
5. Keene (1-0)
6. Bedford (1-0)
T7. Portsmouth (1-0)
T7. Winnacunnet (1-0)
9. Bishop Guertin (0-1)
10. Concord (1-0)