Football

Gilford-Belmont 27, Merrimack Valley 7

Key players: Gilford-Belmont – Noah Harder (2 rush TD), Anakin Underhill (rush TD), Emmett Hughes (fumble recovery TD), Logan Grant (interception), Ashton Taylor (interception); MV – Brayden Hussey (TD pass), Michael Heine (TD catch, defense), Colby Sheffer (defense), Cam Chevarie (defense)

Highlights:  Hussey connected with Heine for an 83-yard touchdown to tie the game, 7-7, heading into halftime, but the Eagles scored on their first drive of the second half and took over from there, picking up a big win on the road in Penacook to snap a two-game losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Coach’s quote: “Too many miscues and poor execution led to the loss, GB played a great game and came ready to play.” – MV’s Matt Shaw

Records: Gilford-Belmont 3-4; MV 2-5

Newport 48, Franklin 6

Key players: Newport – Kyle Ashley (2 rush TD), Kobie Curtis (2 rush TD);  Franklin – Gabe Alers (66 receiving yards, several tackles), Arom Trumble (6 tackles), Zeke McCoy (TD run), Steven Supry, Cam Labrecque

Highlights:  The Golden Tornadoes’ offense turned the ball over five times in the first half, giving Divison IV’s first-place team plenty of time to keep its offense on the field. The Tigers scored three touchdowns in both the first and second quarters to take a 41-0 lead into halftime, and also scored on the first drive of the second half to make it 48-0. McCoy ran around the edge for a short touchdown in the third. Franklin has a bye week next weekend and will conclude the regular season on Oct. 28 at home against Bishop Brady in the Kaplan Kup to determine who will get the fourth and final playoff spot.

Records: Newport 6-0; Franklin 3-3

Field Hockey

Merrimack Valley 2, Hanover 0

Key players: MV – Lauren Bailey (goal, assist), Julianne Guertin (goal, assist), Hannah Butler (offense), Julia Michael (offense), Caroline Wheeler (defense), Taylor Gionet (6 saves)

Highlights:  MV scored twice in the third quarter, when Bailey scored off a Guertin assist five minutes in and Guertin polished off Bailey’s assist six minutes later. The Pride had a 7-6 advantage in corners.

Coach’s quote:  “This was a great win for us to end the regular season. This game had a playoff atmosphere and the girls showed up in the second half. We talked about a few adjustments at halftime and the girls executed the game plan. Very proud of them tonight.” – MV’s Jen Colgan

Records:  MV 7-5-2; Hanover 7-6-3

Girls’ Cross Country

Hopkinton 3rd, Coe-Brown 6th, John Stark 8th

Key players: Hopkinton – Maddy Lane (1st, 18:39), Shaylee Murdough (11th, 20:36), Reese Bove (21st, 21:19), Elizabeth Trafton (24th, 21:41), Amelia Walsh (36th, 22:33);  Coe-Brown – Madison Taylor (25th, 21:57), Anna Bergeron (30th, 22:18), Kassidy Taylor (40th, 22:51), Meredith Kerivan (41st, 22:52), Mary Bergeron (45th, 23:04); John Stark – Kayla Barriere (18th, 21:09), Anna Chasse (22nd, 21:31), Rylee Barnard (49th, 23:06); Pembroke – Jasmine Blake (74th, 25:51), Alayna McGuire (76th, 26:04)

Highlights: Lane topped the field of 96 runners at the 17-team Pelham Invitational. Pinkerton (25 points) decisively won the team title, while Souhegan (82) narrowly beat Hopkinton (88) for the runner-up spot. Lane and her Hawk teammates were the best Division III team in the field, with Portsmouth (108), Windham (151), Coe-Brown (167), Hollis-Brookline (185) and John Stark (187) rounded out the top eight. Pembroke competed, but did not have enough runners for a team score.

Coach’s quote: “After battling some illness and injuries over the past few weeks, our varsity girls are finally back to full strength. Maddy Lane is looking strong and is coming into full stride. It’s great to see her recording her first wins. Shaylee Murdough has returned from an injury and is improving every week with some solid gains.” – Hopkinton’s Rob Rothe

Boys’ Cross Country

Hopkinton 5th, John Stark 10th, Coe-Brown 11th, Pembroke 16th

Key players: Portsmouth Christian – Jonas Teeter (1st, 16:02); Hopkinton – Matt Clarner (10th, 16:55), Ben Daniels (11th, 16:58), Liam O’Rourke (27th, 18:03), Adrian Whiteknact (53rd, 19:06), Jorge Guerra (60th, 19:26); John Stark – Eli Lemire (6th, 16:32), Austin Patenaude (28th, 18:05), Alex Keirsted (33rd, 18:22); Coe-Brown – Dylan Plowman (36th, 18:29), Landon Graveline (39th, 18:34), Joe Gallentine (43rd, 18:38); Pembroke – Caleb Saturley (58th, 19:15)

Highlights: The Hawks were top area team that competed in the 17-team Pelham Invitational. Souhegan topped the team standings with 84 points, followed by Milford (112), Portsmouth (123), Windham (127) and Hopkinton (161). The Hawks were the top Division III team in field. John Stark (229), Coe-Brown (236) and Pembroke (435) were the other local teams that competed.

Coach’s quote: “As we head into the final week of the regular season, the team is peakign well. The boys had a very solid day with Ben Daniels and Matt Clarner both getting times under 17 minutes to lead their team.” – Hopkinton’s Rob Rothe