PELHAM — Perfection is within reach for Pelham’s Dom Herrling — four years of perfection.
That, and a fifth state title for the senior.
When Herrling leads Pelham (10-0) onto the field at Stellos Stadium in Nashua for Saturday’s Division II state title game, the four-year varsity player will look to lock down a fourth straight undefeated season, and fourth football state title.
He currently owns 40-0 record on the gridiron for Pythons — the third longest winning streak for any high school football team in the USA.
“I am beyond blessed to be able to play in four football championships in four years as a varsity player,” said Herrling, who also won a Division II title in basketball last winter. “Being part of these Pelham teams these past four years have been nothing but amazing and getting back to the state title was a goal of ours ever since that 2022 season ended. As a senior captain of this football team it is my job to do whatever it takes to help lead this team to another championship.”
Standing in Pelham’s way of another perfect campaign is No. 2 Plymouth (10-1), which upset Souhegan in the semifinals last week.
“The team and I are extremely excited and thankful to be able to play in the state championship game once again,” said Herrling. “We have worked extremely hard and have been through immense challenges to get to where we are, and there is not one person on this team that is not psyched up for this game. We are well prepared and ready for what obstacles are sitting in front of our goal.”
This will actually be the sixth state championship game for Herrling, who leads the Pythons this fall in rushing yards (908) and touchdown (20), despite rarely playing past halftime due to lopsided scores.
He’s won the three football titles — over Stevens (40-0 in 2020), Trinity (50-14 in 2021) and Souhegan (35-6 in 2022). He also scored 16 points to lead Pelham to a 57-54 win over Pembroke Academy in the 2023 Division II boys basketball title game, and was the sixth man on the 2020-21 hoops team that fell to Lebanon (40-33) in the DII title game.
“Dom is a proven leader on and off the field,” said Pelham coach Tom Babaian, now in his 24th season. “He’s a person of high character that leads by example. I’m so proud of his development as a football player and person over four years.”
But while Herrling has been here before, he promises it doesn’t make this journey any less special.
“If anything if gets more special as I compete in these title games,” he said. “As the years have gone on, my role on this team has grown tremendously from freshman year, which makes the experience a lot more rewarding since I am more involved within the team. As a senior, this last title game means the world too me, and it would mark my last high school football game. As a captain it has a little extra meaning to win this game.”
Now, in what very well may be the final football game he ever plays, Herrling wants to go out on top, and savor the moment.
“This could be the last game of my football career, which seems surreal after playing this game since I’ve been in the first grade,” he said. “It will be an emotional battle, and I will cherish every moment being on that field with my boys one last time.”
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