CONCORD, N.H. — For so many teams, it had the tell-tale signs of a trap game.
Just a week earlier, Pinkerton snapped a seven game losing streak to their archival Londonderry, with a hear-stopping, instant classic four-point victory in front of 5,000 or so fans in Derry.
The win also solidified the undefeated Astros as state championship favorites once again.
Eight days after that emotional catharsis, the setting was quite a bit different.
Pinkerton traveling to face sub-.500 Concord on Saturday afternoon, in front of a subdued crowd of mostly family members, with the crisp fall weather replaced by 80-plus degree heat making a comeback.
All the makings of a trap game were there, and countless teams would have fallen victim.
But not these Astros. Not the 2023 edition.
“Last Friday and Saturday we had our fun celebrating that (Londonderry) win,” said Pinkerton fullback/linebacker Ryan Catineau. “But once Monday came it was all about next game. Our whole mindset flips. We stop thinking about the last week and focus on the next opponent and what we need to do. There were flickers of joy from that win, but we were focused on Concord.”
Yup, no Mack Plaque hangover for the Astros.
Caden Michaud ran for three touchdowns, the Pinkerton defense had a shutout until the backups were long into the game, and the Astros easily handled Concord, 34-7.
“This team is always onto the next week,” said Michaud. “The Londonderry win was great, but regardless of the opponent, we are always focused on the next team we have to beat.”
Pinkerton improved to 5-0 with the win, its best start since 2015, when the Astros again won five straight to start the season.
“We weren’t totally happy with the way we came out in the first half,” said Michaud. “But we got some energy coming out in the second half, and we were able to put the game away from there.”
Michaud struck first with 3:21 left in the first quarter. After delivering a defensive stop, Pinkerton embarked on a 17-play drive that Michaud capped by plunging in for a 6-yard touchdowns.
The Astros then forced a punt, and three plays later Michaud broke free for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 at halftime.
“We were able to run right between our guard and tackle, and the outside run was there all day,” said Michaud. “The guys ran hard and the linemen great holes. We have so many talented running backs.”
Concord responded by driving to the Astro 15-yard line, But Pinkerton’s Konstantinos Savvas delivered a crucial sack, and Catineau made a stop to force a turnover on downs.
Pinkerton added to the advantage with 6:10 to go in the the third quarter, when kick returner Jamison Isaac broke a 78-yard punt return score. QB Tim Hersom then took a keeper 12 yards for a score. and finally Michaud added his third TD to cap the Astro scoring.
The Pinkerton defense was also rock sold — led by linebacker James Caruso (12 tackles) and Savvas (8 tackles) — pitching a shutout until the backups were long into the game.
“The defensive lineman had great penetration today,” said Catineau, who made six tackles from his linebacker spot. “We have great linebackers, and the coaches were making great calls. It was a good win.”
Pinkerton 34, Concord 7
Pinkerton (5-0): 14 0 14 6 — 34
Concord (2-3): 0 0 0 7 — 7
First Quarter
P — Caden Michaud 6 run (Peyton Harmony kick), 3:21
P — Michaud 19 run (Harmony kick), 0:16
Third Quarter
P — Jamison Isaac 78 punt return (Harmony kick), 6:10
P — Tim Herson 12 run (Harmony kick), 0:45
Fourth Quarter
P — Michaud 25 run (rush failed), 9:52
C — Jackson Borkush 5 run (Colby Nyhan kick), 2:43
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Pinkerton — Caden Michaud 14-111, Ryan Catineau 10-52, Matthew Morrison 8-42, Tim Hersom 4-19, Joseph Osanya 4-10, Colin Gearing 2-4, Brodan Kimbark 1-2
PASSING: Pinkerton — Hersom 0-2-0, Aiden McDonald 1-1-0, 27
RECEIVING: Pinkerton — Ben Crane 1-27
TWITTER: DWillisET