The trend of wearing alternative jerseys — something that's all the rage in college football — has trickled down to the NHIAA's Division IV ranks.

Windham's Jaguars (3-0 Div. IV) in Week 4 plan to wear black. The goal in tonight's 7 o'clock clash, beyond beating St. Thomas Aquinas of Dover (3-0 Div. IV), is to raise $2,000 for the American Cancer Society.

“We felt it was important that the players understood how important giving back is, and they really responded to it,” said Windham head coach Bill Raycraft, whose Jags a year ago sold neon green bracelets that helped raise $1,200 in the fight to tackle cancer. “So, based on that, we wanted to see how much bigger we could make it.”

Asking game attendees to “Black Out Cancer” certainly qualifies.

This year alone, 577,190 Americans are expected to die from cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. That's more than 1,500 people per day. Only heart disease is a more common cause of death in the United States.

“(Players) had the option of putting their name on the back of the (jersey), or the name of someone in their lives affected by cancer,” said Raycraft, who needs cornerback Ben Petron and end Chris Ferri to help slow running backs Ryan Monette and Jake Geppert, and quarterback Joe Karsonovich.

Between the black jerseys and pants players purchased, the 50-50 raffle and gate receipts, and “Black Out Cancer” t-shirts sold this week at the high school, the Jags hope to hit their fundraising mark.

STA — the Jags' roadblock to the Division V title in 2011 — is a perfect partner. The boys' hockey team last February raised $2,192.50 in its third annual “Pink Game” for breast cancer awareness.

Eric Cumba, STA's head football coach, said Saints fans are encouraged to wear white at Windham. In two weeks, Cumba & Co. host Lebanon in a “Pink Out” game (Oct. 6) targeting breast cancer.

Fans who purchased Windham's t-shirt receive free admission.

“Competition for a cause,” Cumba said.

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NO. 2 Pinkerton Academy (2-1 overall, 1-1 Div. I) hosts Salem (0-3, 0-2) Saturday at 2 p.m. in Derry. The Astros are 26-5 in the series, which dates to 1985.

“The only thing I'm emphasizing to the team is to come to play,” first-year Salem head coach Adam Gagne said.

Pinkerton beat Salem, 38-20, in last season's semifinals. After Salem took a 20-19 lead, then-sophomore Manny Latimore delivered the dagger: a 76-yard TD on the ensuing kickoff.

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NO. 3 Winnacunnet (3-0, 2-0 Div. II), tonight in Hampton, hosts fierce Seacoast rival and top-ranked Exeter (3-0, 2-0 Div. I).

“You don't want to get behind them (on the scoreboard). They can grind out the clock,” said Winnacunnet head coach Ron Auffant, whose featured back, Ben Franzoso, duels with Exeter workhorse Tyler Grant.

Should the Warriors win the coin toss, see if they ask for the ball first. Manchester Central used a different approach last week at Exeter, electing to kick off in a 49-0 loss.

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HEAD COACH Ryan Ray on what co-No. 6 Central (2-1, 1-1 Div. I) must do to win its home opener versus Nashua North (2-1, 1-1) tonight at Gill Stadium: “Play a smart, physical, fast football game,” he said. “Last week, we did not do it.”

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SIGNAL-CALLER James Caparell leads No. 8 Bedford (2-1, 1-1 Div. II) into the Elm City for a clash with QB Lucas Luopa and No. 4 Keene (3-0, 1-0 Div. II).

Caparell has thrown for 577 yards (eight touchdowns) on 34 of 67 passing. He has also run for 70 yards (two TDs) on 18 carries.

Luopa, in five quarters due to lopsided wins, threw for 434 yards (six TDs) on 23 of 37 passing. He ran for 233 yards (three TDs) on 17 carries.

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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.