DERRY, N.H. — A second straight Division I state championship is just one win away for the Pinkerton Academy football team.
But a momentous task stands in the way of that repeat –unbeaten, No. 1-seeded Bedford.
The No. 3-seeded Astros (8-3) will take on the Bulldogs (11-0) in the Division I state title game on Saturday (1 p.m.) at Stellos Stadium in Nashua.
And while Bedford had been dominant throughout 2025, Pinkerton feels it has what it takes to score the upset.
“If you’re going to play, you play to win,” said Astros running back/defensive back Ryson Michaud. “We are going to come out with the most intensity in this game, and we aren’t going to back down. We feel great. We’re confident.”
Bedford is playing for its third state title in four seasons, beating Londonderry in the championship game in 2022 (15-14) and 2023 (28-8). It was Pinkerton that ruined a three-peat attempt last fall, scoring the upset in the semifinals (27-13).
The Bulldogs have returned with a bang this fall, scoring 38.2 points per game, while allowing just 11.8 points a game. They’ve scored at least 30 points in every game — topping 40 points five times — and have won all but two games by at least three touchdowns. The only exceptions are Bishop Guertin in the regular season (35-28) and Nashua South in the Division I semifinals (35-21). They’ve allowed one touchdown or fewer in seven games, with a pair of shutouts.
“This is going to be a challenge,” said Pinkerton quarterback Aiden McDonald. “But we’re ready to play four quarters and can’t wait to go out and prove ourselves. We just need to play Pinkerton football and deliver a team effort. This is going to be fun.”
Like the Astros, Bedford relies heavily on the run game.
Leading the Bulldogs is dominant two-way star Brody Helton, who this week was named the Yukica New Hampshire Player of the Year, an award voted on by coaches and media.
Helton has rushed for 1,502 yards and 17 touchdowns on 162 carries, and added 15 receptions for 178 yards and a TD. On defense, he’s notched 64 tackles with three sacks, and returned an interception for a touchdown. He ran for 150 yards and a touchdown in the semifinals.
Also posing a threat is dual-threat quarterback Bennett Matthews. He’s rushed for 770 yards and 16 TDs and thrown for 955 yards and 11 scores. His top receivers are Brycen D’Urso (337 yards, 6 TDs) and Landon Ellsmore (349 yards, 4 TDs). The QB also had an interception on defense in the semis.
“This is everything,” said Astro running back Brady Spellman. “Sure, we want into that rough patch with the three straight wins. But going back to the title game never left our head. This is going to be crazy. Bedford is an amazing opponent. It’s going to be a dog fight.”
Pinkerton is scoring 31.9 points a game and allowing 15.6 points a game.
Spellman leads Astros’ run-heavy wing-T offense with 668 rushing yards and five touchdowns despite battling injures. Alongside him in the backfield are fullback Joe Osanya (553 rushing yards, 8 TDs) and Michaud (341 rushing yards, 11 TDs). McDonald has thrown for 1,105 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Hard-hitting linebackers Osanya and Jordan Ball and defensive back Jimmy Knudsen, ball-hawking Michaud and Eagle-Tribune All-Star pass rusher James Caruso lead the Pinkerton defense.
“Without a doubt, Bedford is a good team all-around, but we’ve got a fire lit within us and are ready to fly around,” said Knudsen. “It’s been a long ride, putting in countless hours of work all leading up to this, and what better way to close out our season than with another title.”
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