Nashua North 19, Bedford 7

By rbrown
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Updated: September 3, 2022

FOOTNOTES

Thoughts and observations from Nashua North’s 19-7 triumph over Bedford on Friday night at Stellos Stadium:

— Toby Brown will be a problem for opponents

Brown, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end, recorded at least three sacks and assisted on two others in North’s victory. He also returned a fumble 83 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. That TD, plus the PAT, raised North’s lead to 19-0 at halftime.

“We knew he was a problem,” Bedford coach Zach Matthews said. “It’s not like it was a mystery to us coming into the game. We had a plan for him and ways that we thought we would try to account for him. That plan went out the window. At a certain point in the second half I had to keep the tight end in on pass plays. Our game plan initially was to chip him and release the tight end — that didn’t work. I had to start keeping Cal (tight end Cal McAuliffe) in because he was the only one who could handle him. He’s going to be a problem for a lot of people.”

Brown, a three-sport athlete (football, track and wrestling), said he’s being recruited the heaviest by Dartmouth and the University of New Hampshire.

— The Titans have a weapon in place-kicker Dionard Topiana

Although he missed a point-after kick, Topiana showed a strong leg by making field goals from 35 and 39 yards. He also showed an ability to put kickoffs into the end zone.

“He’s got a foot on him,” North coach Chad Zibolis said. “He’s kicked a 47 in practice with live people on him. He also helps us on kickoffs, where he puts it in the end zone every time so you don’t have to worry about a return. That’s a big part of the game too.”

— The Bulldogs can play defense

The Bedford offense looked overmatched at times, but the Bulldogs limited North to one offensive touchdown. North had one first down in the second half, and that came on its final possesssion.

— Zibolis has reason to celebrate

The victory was the first for Zibolis as North’s head coach. Zibolis was an assistant at North under Dante Laurendi last season, and was elevated to head coach when Laurendi resigned in the offseason.

— Bedford has an underrated player in junior wide receiver Dom Tags

Tags looked good returning kicks and scored Bedford’s lone touchdown on a 9-yard run with 4:57 to play. He also caught three passes for 23 yards.