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CHaD Practice: Day 6

Notes from the sixth day of practice for this year’s CHaD New Hampshire East/West All-Star Game, which will be played Saturday (6 p.m. kickoff) at Wildcat Stadium on the University of New Hampshire campus:

CHaD GAME
PRACTICE REPORT

Before you attempt to pick a winner in Saturday’s CHaD East-West All-Star Game, you would be wise to study the defensive side of the ball. Strong defense had been a common thread among the teams that have won the previous seven games:

2012: West 44, East 12

The West forced five turnovers and recorded a safety in the inaugural game. Nashua South’s Johnny Bieren recorded three sacks, and Merrimack’s Jackson King returned an interception 19 yards for a TD. East running backs Jerickson Fedrick (Salem), Kevin Davies(Pinkerton) and Emmitt Smith (Pinkerton) rushed for 4,649 and scored 57 TDs as seniors, but that trio was held to 99 yards on 23 carries in the loss.

2013: West 13, East 7

Although he suited up for the losing team, West defensive tackle Ricky Holt (Portsmouth) was named the game’s MVP. Holt recorded 8.5 tackles (one sack) and blocked what would have been a game-winning field goal in the overtime loss. The West averaged 3.6 yards per play, and the East 3.5.

2014: West 24, East 7

The West limited the East to 131 yards of offense and came up with four interceptions. The East had zero yards and zero first downs in the opening quarter, when the West built a 12-0 lead.

2015: East 29, West 15

East linebacker Jason Hansen (Pinkerton) recorded a game-high 10 tackles to help the East earn its first victory.

2016: East 28, West 14

The East seized the momentum early when defensive back Brian Auffant (Winnacunnet) returned an interception 58 yards for a TD to open the scoring.

2017: West 25, East 14

The West pulled away by intercepting two passes in the third quarter. Souhegan’s Tucker Aiello returned one of the INTs 17 yards for a TD.

2018: West 24, East 20

Hanover kick Moises Celaya was named the game’s MVP after he averaged 53.8 yards on four punts, including a 63-yarder. Celaya had a 54-yard punt in the opening quarter that pinned the East inside its 1-yard line.

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There’s plenty of offensive firepower on each roster this year, but both defensive coordinators seem confident entering this year’s game.

“We have some good, strong big guys up front,” said Salem head coach Rob Pike, who is running the East’s defense. “I think on the (defensive) line we go probably nine, 10 kids deep who can play really well. We have players everywhere. Our linebackers are fast, they’re aggressive. The DBs are doing a great job. It’s fun to coach in a game like this.

“The Hagearty kid (defensive tackle Pat Hagearty) from Londonderry has been awesome all week. He’s just a beast. He’s big, fast, strong, tough. So I’m excited to see him in the game. Devin Miller from Winnacunnet can run, tackle and hit. And (Jackson) Clark from Pinkerton — we’re gonna see some stuff from him in the game too.”

Defensive tackle Allen Gault (Pinkerton), defensive end Joe MacDougall (Winnacunnet), defensive tackle Owen Snively (Sanborn), middle linebacker, outside linebacker Will Michaud (Salem), outside linebacker Adam Gray (Exeter), defensive back Gennaro Marra (Pinkerton), defensive back Nick Lombard (Pinkerton) and defensive back Ryan Marotta (Windham) are among the other East defensive players to keep an eye on.

Concord defensive coordinator Brian Beane was the West’s defensive coordinator last summer, and returned in the same role this year. He said team speed is the strength of this year’s defense.

“We tried to pick the best athletes we could,” Beane said. “I think they’re faster than last year’s team. All levels. (Goffstown’s) Evan Cuddy at defensive tackle is a really good player.

Beane said Cuddy and Goffstown’s Josh Picard will play defense only. The same is true for the East’s middle linebackers, Miller and Clark.

Defensive end Cam MacDonald (Plymouth), defensive end Chandler Matson (Monadnock), middle linebacker Harrison LeGoullon (Bedford), middle linebacker Patrick Malm (Plymouth), defensive back Brian Montminy (Nashua North), defensive back Tristan Wood (Merrimack), cornerback Austin Ouellette (Nashua North), cornerback Lucien Mumpini (Bedford) and safety Caleb Yianakopolos (Hopkinton) are among the other potential starters on the West defense.

“I’m more worried about the defensive line’s size,” Beane said. “It sounds like the East is pretty big up front, so we’ll definitely have to use our speed to counter that.”

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More information on this year’s game, including how to donate to the cause or purchase tickets, can be found on the CHaD East-West All-Star Game web site.

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