WINDHAM, N.H. — As Adrian Bergman stepped behind center, a yard away from the end zone, a trip to the Division I quarterfinals and one of the greatest victories in Windham High football history, the Jaguars’ sidelines and hundreds of fans stood on edge, ready to explode.
One plunge later, the celebration was on.
Down 14-0, with under a hundred total yards for the game early in the fourth quarter — Windham had delivered an epic comeback, and an instant classic win.
“With our heart, there was never a moment I doubted us,” said Bergman. “Never for a second.”
Sophomore Jackson Wright threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes to send the game into overtime, and after Windham’s tremendous defensive delivered a stop, Bergman ran a keeper into the end zone to give No. 6-seeded Windham a stunning 20-14 win over No. 11 Concord in the Division I first round on Saturday afternoon.
“No matter what happened before, we had full confidence heading into the fourth quarter,” said Wright, who finished with 202 passing yards. “We still felt dialed in. I always believe in my boys. I knew we could pull it out. It was kind of surreal when it ended. It was the best feeling. We can’t wait to keep playing.”
Windham (7-3) now returns to where it all began in 2025, traveling to face No. 3 Pinkerton Academy (6-3) on Friday (7 p.m.) The Astros won the season-opening matchup between the two teams, 28-0.
“We’re a totally different team than the last time we played Pinkerton,” said receiver Joe Coviello. “It’s been two months since we played them. We’ve added new stuff, we’ve grown as players and, most importantly, our team chemistry is amazing. We’re ready.”
For three quarters, it appeared Windham may not have a chance at the rematch.
When Concord running back Colin Savard — playing single-wing “Wildcat” quarterback after the injury to starting QB Rhys Craigue — scored his second touchdown of the game with 9:34 left in regulation, the situation appeared dire for the hosts.
But that was just the beginning.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Wright found Brandon Jacobs, who broke a pair of tackles and sprinted free for a game-changing 53-yard touchdown.
“Jackson made a great throw, I caught it and saw the open field,” said Jacobs, who finished with four catches for 77 yards. “I just took off running. There were a lot of defender in front of me, but I was confident I could get in. I was just going. It got the whole team going, then Joey (Coviello) took care of the next one.”
After Windham forced a punt, Wright hit Noah Philippe for a 49-yard gain, then found Coviello for the game-tying 24-yard touchdown.
“The momentum was in our favor, and everyone wanted to step up and make that big play,” said Coviello. “I got lucky to be the one. Jackson made a perfect throw for me, and I just had to turn up field and go into the end zone. It was unreal.”
Windham’s defense — led by Rob Durkin (12 tackles) and Joey Estrella (8 tackles) — then delivered a stop to close out regulation and another to start overtime, setting up Bergman’s game-winning score.
That set off a wild celebration at Mount Jaguar, as Windham punched its ticket to the quarterfinals.
“This is the best feeling I’ve ever experienced in football,” said Coviello. “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. This is something you dream about. We can’t wait for Pinkerton.”
Windham 20, Concord 14 (OT)
Division I First Round
FIRST QUARTER
C — Colin Savard 23 run (Ben Ryder kick), 2:29
FOURTH QUARTER
C — Savard 4 run (Ryder kick), 9:56
W — Brandon Jacobs 53 pass from Jackson Wright (Chris Guaranaccia kick), 9:20
W — Joe Coviello 24 pass from Wright (Guaranaccia kick), 3:48
OVERTIME
W — Adrian Bergman 1 run (no PAT)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Windham — Adrian Bergman 12-32, Jackson Wright 3-25, Michael Brearley 5-0, Joe Coviello 1-(-2)
PASSING: Windham — Wright 9-18, 202, Bergman 2-4, 22
RECEIVING: Windham — Alex Blanco 3-23, Coviello 4-65, Noah Philippe 2-76, Brandon Jacobs 4-77