For the second straight week, Salem High has the chance to make a major statement against one of New Hampshire’s top-ranked teams.
After falling to No. 1-ranked Pinkerton last week, the Blue Devils (2-1) travel to undefeated Bishop Guertin (3-0) on Saturday (6 p.m.) at newly-renovated Stellos Stadium.
The Cardinals are ranked No. 3 in the Granite State, while Salem is tied at No. 4 with Exeter.
Bishop Guertin has been stellar out of the gates. But its two New Hampshire wins have been over one-win squads Keene (48-7) and Merrimack (48-8) while the other was over winless Pathfinder Vocational Tech (Palmer, Mass.), which has been outscored 94-28. So competition hasn’t exactly been stiff.
The Cardinals are led by quarterback Nate Bowen (477 yards, 7 TDs passing), receiver Rocco Roy (220 yards, 4 TDs receiving) and a deep and dangerous backfield led by Hudson Schmitt (155 yards, 2 TDs rushing).
Salem hung tough with Pinkerton, before ultimately falling short (31-19) due to a few costly mistakes. Don’t expect to see the Blue Devils make those same mistakes again. And expect more out of a Devil backfield that rushed for 722 yards in their two wins.
Prediction: Salem 32, Bishop Guertin 21
Friday’s Games
Londonderry (1-2) at Pinkerton (3-0) — This looks like a rare mismatch in the legendary Mack Plaque rivalry. While Pinkerton’s dominated its way to No. 1 in N.H., Londonderry’s dropped two straight, to struggling Concord (27-14) and Exeter (23-21). Leading the Lancers is running back Adrian Cruz (298 rushing yards 7 TDs).
Prediction: Pinkerton 34, Londonderry 24
Andover (2-0) at Haverhill (0-2) — The Golden Warriors continued their hot start to the Jay Fielding era by crushing Chelmsford (41-3) last week. Haverhill took a step back after a promising Week 1 by falling hard to Shrewsbury (35-0). How can the Hillies slow new Warrior QB Kyle Olson (196 yards and 3 TDs passing, 110 yards and a TD rushing last week)?
Prediction: Andover 35, Haverhill 21
Whittier (3-0) at Salem, Mass. (1-2) — The Wildcats have been dominant, outscoring opponents 116-62. Salem has dropped two straight, including a 35-20 loss to Greater Lawrence last week. Witches Jake Lister (109 yards, 2 TDs rushing) and Elvis Espinal (104 yards rushing) had big days vs. the Reggies. But don’t expect that to happen again.
Prediction: Whittier 38, Salem 17
North Andover (0-2) at Marblehead (3-0) — Few teams have had it tougher, schedule-wise, than the Scarlet Knights. And that doesn’t change this week. The Magicians have outscored opponents 82-48. In last week’s 35-22 win over Sheppard Hill, Breydan Callahan ran for 116 yards and two TDs and Finn Gallup threw for 130 yards and two scores.
Prediction: Marblehead 34, North Andover 21
Greater Lawrence (2-1) at Norton (1-2) — The Reggies are rolling with two straight wild wins, outscoring opponents 100-78 so far this season. Now, they’ll take the hour-plus drive to near the Rhode Island border to face a Norton squad that’s dropped two straight by a combined 80-55. If they handle the travel, expect Gustavo Varela and Co. to stay hot.
Prediction: Greater Lawrence 32, Norton 20
Billerica (1-1) at Lawrence (1-1) — After a bye week, the Lancers return to action against a formidable foe. The Indians, coached by longtime Andover assistant Shawn Theriault, have rushed for 710 yards in two games, a 38-22 loss to surging Masconomet and a 17-0 win over Westford Academy. Jackson Gearin ran for 110 yards and a score last week.
Prediction: Billerica 28, Lawrence 20
Keene (1-2) at Windham (1-2) — After breaking through with their first win of the season a week ago, the Jaguars are in position to make it two straight. The Blackbirds have lost two straight by a combined 77-28 after opening the season with a 35-20 victory over winless Goffstown. Keene QB Brayden French has thrown four TDs and five interceptions.
Prediction: Windham 28, Keene 12
Manchester Memorial (3-0) at Timberlane (1-2) — After scoring their first win last week, it won’t be easy for the Owls. Memorial earned a decisive 30-6 win over Dover, but its other two victories were by a single score, 19-14 over Portsmouth and 14-13 over Central (R.I.) High. Jacob Schuff scored three touchdowns in a single quarter vs. Dover.
Prediction: Memorial 24, Timberlane 21
Saturday’s Games
Bishop Hendricken (2-1) at Central Catholic (1-2) — It just doesn’t get any easier for the Raiders, against a Hendricken squad that won its fifth Rhode Island state championship in seven years last fall. The Hawks’ lone loss is to Connecticut power Killingly. QB Isaiah Brito is a playmaker for Hendricken, with eight TD passes through three games.
Prediction: Bishop Hendricken 28, Central Catholic 21
Hollis-Brookline (0-3) at Pelham (3-0) — Don’t expect to see the Python starters past halftime in this one. Hollis-Brookline has struggled mightily, being outscored 85-8 through three games, with the lone TD to previously-winless Milford. Pelham has outscored opponents 127-13. Lets get the clock running now.
Prediction: Pelham 52, Hollis-Brookline 6
Thayer Academy (0-1) at Brooks (1-0) — Brooks opened with a bang, beating Roxbury Latin 21-20, led by ex-Timberlane running back Liam Corman (116 yards, 3 TDs rushing) and Methuen’s Jagger Carreiro (7 catches, 100 yards receiving). Thayer fell hard in its opener to Lawrence Academy (28-6). Brooks doubles its win total from a year ago already.
Prediction: Brooks 24, Thayer 12
Phillips (0-2) at Salisbury School (1-1) — The Big Blue dropped a tough one to Williston Northampton (27-0), and now have to travel three hours, or 167 miles, to the Massachusetts/Connecticut/New York border. Salisbury bested Kent (35-21) and lost a tough one last week to Brunswick (34-21).
Prediction: Salisbury 34, Phillips 21
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