Grid boss Mike Beliveau is back. Can the same be said about his Souhegan Sabers?

Beliveau — who returned Friday to coach his Amherst squad after serving a Week 1 suspension for a preseason scouting violation — said he doesn't yet have an answer.

“I can't come out and boldly say that Souhegan is back because we are week to week,” said Beliveau, noting 15 Sabers played the bulk of the minutes in an 18-13 win over Division III champion Portsmouth.

The last time a Beliveau-coached team relied so heavily on so few was “maybe better than 15 years ago,” Souhegan's shot-caller said.

A drop in school enrollment, Beliveau said, has affected the football program — the three-peat champ from 2008-10 before last year's non-playoff season. Souhegan (1-1 overall, 1-0 Div. III) features fewer players with varsity experience.

“This is probably one of the first years we've felt the effects of some outstanding football players, that are Amherst residents, playing for other high schools,” Beliveau said. “Maybe as many as six top-rated, all-state players, for a variety of reasons (are elsewhere).”

Beliveau said he was happy to provide names — of his biggest Week 2 “warriors.”

Quarterback Tyler Ford ran for 248 yards. He also moved the ball through the air, handled kickoffs and punts, and didn't miss a snap on defense.

Mammoth two-way tackle Jake Kennedy missed one play. He was sent to the sideline when his helmet came off.

Brandon Len, in addition to running quality routes at receiver, provided lock-down coverage in the defensive secondary. Dimitri Elias and Denny Dessureault added to strong secondary play.

Seth Learned earned double-digit touches as a ball-carrier. He also bounced between linebacker and defensive back in man-coverage situations. Drew Prescott, normally a defensive back, moved to linebacker for speed at the second level.

“The total focus was, 'We're putting everything from the preseason and non-league game behind us. Coach is back,'” Beliveau said. “To a man, they will tell you they felt that. But it was all about playing the defending champion.

“I was really emotionally moved by their effort.”

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DIVISION IV Windham (2-0) isn't struggling with the jump from Division V. Last year's runner-up is averaging 50 points per game. But defense, head coach Bill Raycraft said, has been the difference.

“Last year we knew we had to score 30-plus points a game,” said Raycraft, whose Jaguars have allowed 12 points. “This year, the defense is giving us a ton of three-and-outs, and creating turnovers.”

Four seniors are fueling the defense: linebackers Kevin Cooney and Corey Alberico, tackle Artem Aristov, and cornerback Ben Petron, whose previous two seasons were plagued by injury.

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EX-CONCORD QB Matt Skoby spoke Friday about Gunnar Matthews, who died last Monday at 29. Skoby said it was a pancreas-related illness.

The friends played for Concord's 2000 title-winner. Matthews was also a standout at the face-off X for Tide lacrosse.

“On one of the happiest days of my life, we were pig-piling in the end zone, in 1994, after winning the Pop Warner state championship coached by Gunnar's father, Duncan Matthews,” said Skoby, 29, a program assistant working with Concord High administrators. “Gunnar had the ability to capture the attention of a room full of people with his affability and witty sense of humor. He was a loyal friend. He will be dearly missed.”

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IN CLAREMONT, Stevens football added the initials “AR” to the end zones, a tribute to assistant coach Aaron Robar, 41, who died last month during a memorial motorcycle ride.

“We're trying to do what we can to remember him,” Stevens head coach Paul Silva said.

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THE WEEK 3 Union Leader/WGIR/WMUR Power Poll will be announced by Kelly Brown of Rock 101's “The Morning Buzz” during his Monday sports report. Be sure to also watch Jamie Staton and “Friday Night Football” on WMUR-TV's 11 p.m. Friday newscast.

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Marc Thaler covers high school football for the New Hampshire Union Leader & Sunday News. He co-hosts the “N.H. Sports Show” Saturday morning on WGIR-AM 610 and the Seacoast's 96.7. Send e-mails to mthaler@unionleader.com and follow him on Twitter: @marc_thaler.