Concord took a two-touchdown lead into the half against the unbeaten defending state champions. But some second-half miscues cost the Tide in a 36-27 loss to Pinkerton on Friday at Memorial Field.
Though Concord fell to 2-3 on the season, the game proved the Tide can hang with the top teams in Division I. With four games left in the season, the playoff window remained open despite the loss.
Sophomore quarterback Rhys Craigue said that he was proud of the team for their performance against the 5-0 Astros, and thinks Concord can only improve from the loss.
Craigue, who had one passing touchdown to sophomore receiver Nicholas Marquis and one rushing touchdown, credited his teammates and coaches for helping him find his rhythm under center.
“It’s the team around me that I’m playing with that really is doing good. The coaches are great, they’re good to be around every single day,” Craigue said.
The game was close from the get-go, as Colin Savard returned Pinkerton’s kickoff for a touchdown in the first quarter. Concord then forced two turnovers, one on a fumble and another on a blocked field goal attempt by Ethan Dunbar, to take a 20-7 lead into the half.
Savard would score once more for the Tide in the third quarter with a 20-yard touchdown run.
Head Coach Jim Corkum said this was “nothing catastrophic.” Small mistakes are things that well-drilled teams like Pinkerton capitalise on, and his team will use the game film for the rest of the season.
“I think we’re going to be okay if we can give this type of effort and play with this type of physicality,” Corkum added.
Concord’s next two games are away at Haverhill, Mass., and then back home for NHIAA play against Goffstown. The team has steered clear of major injuries to its core and continues to progress, Corkum said, so he believes the Tide still have wins ahead.
