Team of the Week: Gilford/Belmont

Despite numerous injuries to key players, Gilford/Belmont ended the state’s longest winning streak by beating Winnisquam Regional 22-0 in wet and windy conditions Saturday in Tilton.

Winnisquam, which moved up to Division III this season after winning back-to-back Division IV championships, entered the contest having won 19 games in a row. It was Winnisquam’s first loss since the final game of the 2017 regular season.

“Anytime you go up against a team with as much success and pride in the program as them it’s nice to go out there and compete and hopefully take down a team you respect a lot and that you know is a strong team,” Gilford/Belmont coach Josh Marzahl said following the win.

Gilford/Belmont prevailed even though quarterback Jack McLean sustained an ankle injury early in the first quarter and missed much of the game. The Golden Eagles were already without starting quarterback Alex Cheek, who is out for the season with a hip injury, and running back/linebacker Austin Normandin.

Running back Blake Descoteaux carried the ball 22 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the victory, which raised Gilford/Belmont’s Division II record to 3-1. The Golden Eagles also scored on a 7-yard pass from McLean to Liam Merriam.

The loss dropped Winnisquam to 1-1.