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September 21. 2012 12:22AM

Tonight could be last game for Central's Pasqual


Manchester Central Captain Dan Pasqual will suit up Friday night for the last time for the Little Green. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)
Linked articles:
Marc Thaler's First and 10: Windham makes the tackle


For the past four seasons, Manchester Central linebacker Dan Pasqual has blitzed and sacked quarterbacks. He’s blasted running backs in bone-rattling collisions, and, as a tight end, caught passes over the middle, taking hits from every possible angle.

The play that may have ended his season? A darn extra point.

Pasqual, a senior captain, jammed his right ring finger and ruptured a flexor tendon on a typically harmless PAT attempt by Exeter last Friday. In the second quarter, Pasqual was crashing down on the Exeter wing, attempting to open up a lane for teammate Nick Vratsenes on the block attempt.

After Exeter finished pummelling the Little Green, 49-0, Pasqual began to realize there was something seriously wrong with his finger.

“I didn’t notice it much during the game, but it felt weird after. I couldn’t bend that finger,” Pasqual said.

He’ll play at least one more game. Pasqual will have his right hand and forearm wrapped for tonight’s Division I contest between Central (2-1 overall, 1-1 Div. I) and Nashua North (2-1, 1-1) at Gill Stadium in Manchester. Kickoff is at 7.

Next week, Pasqual will undergo hand surgery to have the tendon repaired. The timetable for his return depends on the healing process and rehabilitation. He hopes to begin rehabbing the hand about three weeks after surgery.

“It very well could be my last game. The doctor said I might be able to catch the tail end of the season,” Pasqual said. “It’s unsettling. I don’t want to say I let my teammates down, but I should be out there playing with them. It looks like I might not be able to.”

Pasqual doesn’t expect to play much at tight end tonight, but he’ll definitely get plenty of reps at linebacker. His right hand, padded with green athletic tape, will look more like a club.

“I might have to play more to the left side of my body. It won’t be a huge disadvantage. Tackling isn’t just about your hands. There’s a lot of upper body, arms and positioning. I don’t expect it will be too bad,” he said. “I’m just glad I’ll be out there. Initially I was going to have surgery (Thursday), but it was pushed back to next week.”

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