New Hampshire Football Report

NHFR releases Preseason Top 10

NHFR TOP 10

New Hampshire Football Report’s preseason ranking of the top 10 NHIAA teams in the state and the Preseason Player of the Year in each division:

No. 1
Londonderry

The Lancers have a lot of familiar names returning from a team that finished first in Division I South last season.

No. 2
Salem

Salem typically produces some of the best linemen in the state. This year will be no different. Josh Maroun’s return from a season-ending knee injury last season will help as well.

No. 3
Bedford

The Bulldogs, last year’s Division I champion, have a new coach in Zach Matthews and enough talent to make another deep playoff run.

No. 4
Exeter

The Blue Hawks may be the most talented team on the East-West side of the Division I bracket.

No. 5
Windham

The Jaguars surprised a lot of people by nearly qualifying for the playoffs in their first season in Division I last fall. No one should be surprised if Windham reaches the postseason this year.

No. 6
Pinkerton

There will be a lot of new faces on the offensive side of the ball, but the Pinkerton defense will be anchored by Jake MacInnis, who is one of the best linebackers in the state.

No. 7
Alvirne

The Broncos were the runner-up in Division II last season. With Kyle Gora back at quarterback they may take it a step further this season.

No. 8
Merrimack

The Tomahawks lost eight starters on each side of the ball from a year ago, but the players who do return are some of the best in Division I.

No. 9
Bow

Safety/running back Steven Guerrette, two-way tackle Andrew Berube and guard/linebacker Chris Wheeler are among Bow’s 14 returning starters.

No. 10
Milford/Kennett

At least a handful of teams have a legitimate chance to win the Division II title, and the Spartans and Eagles are among them.

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Players of the Year

DIVISION I: Curtis Harris, QB/RB/DB (Nashua North)
Harris is a threat to score every time he touches the ball on offense, but he’s just as good on defense.

DIVISION II: Kyle Gora QB/S (Alvirne)
How this for versatility: Gora ran for a touchdown, passed for a touchdown and caught a TD pass in last year’s Division II championship game. He finished the 2018 season with 15 rushing TDs and eight TD passes.

DIVISION III: Keegan Mills RB/LB (Campbell)
Mills, who will play Division I baseball for Austin Peay, is one of the best two-way players in the state. He missed last year’s Division III championship game with a foot injury, and an injury may be the only thing that will prevent him from playing in this year’s Division III title game as well.

DIVISION IV: Philip Nichols QB/DB (Winnisquam)
Nichols, a junior, led Winnisquam to an undefeated season and the Division IV championship last year. He rushed for 191 yards and completed 7 of 16 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns in Winnisquam’s 19-14 victory over Franklin in the Division IV championship game.

 

 

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