Kearsarge 8th,
Hillsboro-Deering 11th,
Coe-Brown 13th, Bow 18th
John Stark 19th, Merr. Valley 21st
Bishop Brady tied 29th
Key players: Kearsarge – Andrew Brahan, Sabian Griffin; H-D – Spencer Jones and Dylan Czyzewski (1st boat), Ben Labier and Savannah McDaniel (2nd boat)
Highlights: The defending champion Kearsarge Cougars finished eighth out of 32 teams and the H-D Hillcats claimed the 11th and final qualifying spot on Thursday on Lake Winnipesaukee in Center Harbor. The state championship will be held on Oct. 2 on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro. Coe-Brown (13th), Bow (18th), John Stark (19th), Merrimack Valley (21st) and Bishop Brady (tied 29th) were the other area teams that competed, but didn’t make the cut.
Football
Bow 29, Souhegan 26
Key players: Bow – Alex Boisvert (4 yard TD run, 40 yard TD run), Ryan Lover (40 yard TD run, 45 yard TD run, two 2-point conversion runs), Eric Goodwin (PAT)
Highlights: The Falcons overcame a 20-7 deficit at halftime to earn their first win of the season against the defending Division II champions.
Coach’s quote: “A truly outstanding team victory. With everything this team has gone through recently, a much-needed boost on a variety of levels. This team found an inner spark (at halftime), an internal motivator, whatever you want to call it and played football the way Bow is known to play football. Hardnose, explosive play coupled with a tenacious hard-hitting defense yielded an exciting second half. A complete turnaround that surprised our opponent and attained victory number one. I am so very very proud of this group of athletes.” – Bow’s Paul Cohen
Records: Bow 1-2; Souhegan 2-2
Hanover 41, John Stark 8
Key players: John Stark – Blake Sutkus (TD run, 1-for-6 passing, 27 yards), Donnie White (27 yard catch, 18 rush yards), Byron Parrish (67 rush yards on 12 carries, 2-point conversion run), Cody Sutkus (28 rush yards on 7 carries), Joey Dykstra (26 yard catch)
Highlights: The Generals trailed 27-0 at halftime and 41-0 at the end of the third quarter before Sutkus scored on a 1 yard run QB sneak in the fourth. The Marauders are in first place in the Division II West Conference.
Records:
Kearsarge 34, Stevens 8
Highlights: The Cougars victory over the Cardinals on Friday night was their first win since Oct. 13, 2018.
Records: Kearsarge 1-2; Stevens 1-3
Laconia 34, Winnisquam 0
Highlights: The Bears were shutout by the Sachems for their fourth loss of the season.
Records:
John Stark 3, Manchester West 1
Key players: John Stark – Molly Gamache (9 aces), Emma Dobbins (8 kills), Paige Hamel (7 kills), Brooke Blackburn (31 digs)
Records: John Stark 4-4; West 5-3