Top 10 games from 2019: No. 2

By rbrown
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Updated: April 11, 2020

TOP 10 NHIAA GAMES FROM 2019
No. 2: Nashua North 31, Exeter 28

One veteran New Hampshire sportswriter called this not only the best game he saw last season, but one of the best he’s ever seen.

The outcome was determined on the game’s final play, when junior Lucas Cunningham kicked a 33-yard field goal from the left hash mark that gave Nashua North a three-point victory over Exeter in a battle of unbeatens at Stellos Stadium.

North’s final possession began with 3:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Titans moved the ball to the Exeter 16-yard line in nine plays before North head coach Dante Laurendi used his final time out with two seconds remaining.

North quarterback Curtis Harris carried the ball 18 times for 160 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

The Titans struck first when Harris scored from 5 yards away with 6:56 left in the first quarter, but the Blue Hawks pulled even five plays later on a 2-yard run by halfback Jaedon Cliche.

A 15-play, 69 yard march that ended with Cliche’s 1-yard TD run helped the Blue Hawks take a 14-7 lead, but the Titans pulled even on Xavier Provost’s 34-yard TD run and Cunningham’s second PAT with 3:29 remaining in the first half.

Harris’ second TD plus Cunningham’s point-after kick handed the Titans a 21-14 lead with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter.

The Blue Hawks answered with a 15-play, 70-yard drive that ended with halfback Spencer Clark’s 1-yard TD run. Cunningham blocked the PAT to keep North up 21-20 with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.

Three minutes into the fourth Exeter QB Ryan Grijalva scored on a 48-yard run, and Cliche ran in the two-point conversion to give the Blue Hawks a 28-21 lead with 9:22 left. Cliche led the Blue Hawks with 142 yards and two TDs on 22 carries. Exeter rushed for 327 yards in the loss.

A Harris 41-yard TD run plus Cunningham’s fourth PAT tied the game with 6:26 left. A defensive stop set the stage for North’s final drive and Cunningham’s game-winning kick.

No. 3: Goffstown 29, Salem 28

No. 4: Trinity 31, Campbell 24

No. 5: Plymouth 14, Pelham 12

No. 6: Milford 14, Pelham 13

No. 7: Milford 28, Alvirne 27

No. 8: Pelham 21, Souhegan 20

No. 9: Alvirne 23, Souhegan 22

No. 10: Windham 28, Central 21