Winnisquam claims Division IV title

By rbrown
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Updated: November 11, 2018

There were times during the regular season when Winnisquam Regional looked unbeatable. As it turned out, the Bears couldn’t be beaten in the postseason, either.

Winnisquam wrapped up an undefeated season by beating Franklin, 19-14, Friday night to win the Division IV championship at Laconia High School’s Bank of New Hampshire Stadium.

The top-seeded Bears (9-0) trailed 14-13 when sophomore quarterback Philip Nichols led them on a nine-play 63-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. The drive ended on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Nichols to receiver Gunnar Horman on a fourth-and-1 play.

Nichols completed 7 of 16 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, but also hurt third-seeded Franklin (6-3) on the ground. He rushed for 191 yards, including an 82-yard run that set up running back Angelo Glover’s 1-yard TD plunge in the third quarter.

Franklin’s Caleb Vigue scored both Franklin touchdowns and added a two-point conversion following his second TD that handed the Golden Tornadoes a 14-13 lead with 9:03 to play. Vigue was injured and didn’t play when Winnisquam beat Franklin 20-0 in the regular season.

The title gave Winnisquam its first unbeaten season and the program’s first championship as well.