Roger Brown's Grid Picks: Taking Exeter, Goffstown and Campbell
By ROGER BROWNNew Hampshire Union Leader
October 12. 2017 11:14PM
FRIDAY
Alvirne at Londonderry, 7 p.m
The Lancers take care of business and secure a playoff berth. Londonderry will likely meet Salem in the quarterfinals. There has never been a crazier ending to a high school football game than when Londonderry attempted field goals on consecutive plays and beat Salem in 2014. Londonderry, 35-7.
Nashua North at Bishop Guertin, 7 p.m.
Will BG be in Division I or Division II next season? North, 34-20.
Dover at Exeter, 7 p.m.
Dover hasn’t beaten Exeter since 2004, when the Blue Hawks played their home games on the baseball/football field at the old Exeter High School. That streak won’t end here. Exeter, 35-21.
Portsmouth at Winnacunnet, 7 p.m.
Where are all those people who said the Warriors would never be competitive in Division I? Winnacunnet, 42-14.
Memorial at Spaulding, 7 p.m.
This might be the most entertaining game of the weekend. That’s no joke. Spaulding, 40-34.
Merrimack at Salem, 7 p.m.
This much is for sure: Josh Sibanda will be well-rested for the playoffs. Salem, 35-14.
Timberlane at Pinkerton, 7 p.m.
This might be Pinkerton’s last home game of the season. Pinkerton, 28-14.
Goffstown at Central, 7:15 p.m.
Central is averaging 29.5 points per game, but hasn’t faced a defense like the one it will be up against tonight. Goffstown, 31-14.
SATURDAY
Bedford at Concord, 1 p.m.
Bedford’s three wins came against teams that are 2-16. Bedford, 35-14.
Nashua South at Keene, 1:30 p.m.
If Pinkerton ends up with a better record than South it will still have to play at South in the quarterfinals, even though the Astros already won the head-to head matchup. A fix is needed. South, 40-14.
DIVISION II
FRIDAY
Bow at Merrimack Valley, 6 p.m.
The Falcons will likely need to avoid a second loss to earn a home playoff game. Bow, 34-13.
Kingswood at Hanover, 7 p.m.
How about that Hanover defense? The Marauders have allowed 33 points in their five games. Hanover, 28-0.
Kennett at Laconia, 7 p.m.
Laconia has held five of its six opponents to 16 points or fewer. The Sachems will need another strong defensive effort to win here. Laconia, 14-13.
ConVal at Pelham, 7 p.m.
With St. Thomas and Windham up next, the Cougars can’t afford a loss here. ConVal, 26-6.
Sanborn at Souhegan, 7 p.m.
With little or no room for error, the Sabers should be treating this like a playoff game. Souhegan, 21-6.
SATURDAY
Lebanon at Windham, 2:30 p.m.
Windham, Plymouth and Hanover are the only unbeaten teams remaining in Division II. It’ll take an undefeated season to have any chance at the No. 1 seed. Windham, 42-12.
Gilford/Belmont at Pembroke, 2 p.m.
Who said picking these games is easy? Gilford/Belmont, 20-14.
Hillsboro-Deering/Hopkinton at St. Thomas, 2 p.m.
The Saints are another team that will likely need to finish 7-1 to earn a quarterfinal-round home game. St. Thomas, 46-14.
West at Hollis/Brookline, 2 p.m.
The Cavaliers extend their winning streak to five games. Hollis/Brookline, 35-6.
DIVISION III
FRIDAY
Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough at Stevens, 7 p.m.
The Cards collect back-to-back victories for the first time this season. Stevens, 32-20.
Campbell at Somersworth, 7 p.m.
The Toppers are bigger than the Cougars, but not sure they’re better than the Cougars. Campbell, 21-14.
Epping/Newmarket at Raymond, 7 p.m.
Epping/Newmarket quarterback Jake Bisaillon has 20 TD passes in five games. Epping/Newmarket, 41-12.
SATURDAY
Kearsarge at Monadnock, 1 p.m.
At this point it should be clear that the Huskies are much better than anyone thought they would be. Monadnock, 36-14.
Winnisquam at Farmington-Nute, 1 p.m.
The Bears break into the win column. Winnisquam, 36-12.
Mascoma at Newport, 1 p.m.
A No. 1 seed will be at stake next weekend when Newport faces Monadnock, Newport, 42-8.
Bishop Brady at Franklin, 2 p.m.
Franklin has been held to six points in its three losses. Bishop Brady, 22-20.
Newfound at Fall Mountain, 7 p.m.
Make it two wins in as many games for the Bears. Newfound, 26-14.
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Last week: 17-2; 2017 record: 135-21