Week 6 football: Our picks on Exeter at Portsmouth, Bedford at Dover, all Seacoast games
The second half of the high school football season has arrived, and all 10 Seacoast teams are in action this weekend with seven games on Friday, and two on Saturday.
By far, the highlight game of the week is Exeter at Portsmouth/Oyster River in a crucial Division I game at Tom Daubney Field.
Both Exeter and Portsmouth/Oyster River come in undefeated in Division I play. However, Exeter is coming off an out-of-state loss last week against St. John's of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; out-of-state games do not count toward Division I standings and playoff seedings.
Other Friday games in New Hampshire include Bedford at Dover, and Goffstown at Winnacunnet in Division I games, and St. Thomas Aquinas at Laconia in Division II. Friday's games in Maine include Marshwood at Westbrook in Class A, Fryeburg at York in Class B, and Telstar Regional at Traip Academy in an 8-Man Small South game.
On Saturday, Spaulding visits Manchester Central in a Division I game, and Somersworth travels to Raymond in a Division IV game.
Here is a look at this week's games with our predictions:
Marshwood (3-2) at Westbrook (2-3)
Kickoff time: Friday, 6 p.m.
The breakdown: The Hawks are coming off a commanding performance against Massabesic, 49-0, a week after a discouraging 42-6 loss at the hands of Class A Sanford.
With the season winding down, Marshwood is jockeying for playoff position in a game that has definite postseason ramifications. Six of the seven Class B South teams make the playoffs with the top two earning first-round byes. Marshwood and Westbrook are sitting in third and fourth, respectively. A first-round bye would be huge for both, but certainly getting homefield for the first round is also a priority if that isn’t possible. The Hawks would likely need to win out to finish in the top two.
Westbrook snapped a three-game losing skid with a 40-14 win over Gorham.
Ty Hussey and Ryan Essex led the Marshwood offense with two TDs each. Landon Waterman, Graham Goodwin and Dylan Grassie scored one touchdown each.
Coach’s comment: “We played better,” said coach Alex Rotsko of the Massabesic win. “Sanford handled us pretty well. They just overmatched us, I think, size wise. We executed against Massabesic much better. We played with better intensity. It was a good solid win for us. … Hopefully we continue to get better. That’s our goal every week. Last week we didn’t have any turnovers. In the Sanford game, we turned the ball over two or three times in the first quarter. We got behind so fast that we never really had a chance to be in the game. … It’s all about execution and effort (on offense). Defensively, they’ve got a really good receiver and some pretty good backs. We did a much better job last week. I think we punted once. We were able to get stops, which were key. Hopefully we’ll get stops again this week.”
Our prediction: The Hawks start to gain momentum as the playoffs come into focus. Marshwood 32-19
Follow the game on Twitter: @mwhaley25
-Mike Whaley
Fryeburg Academy (4-1) at York (2-3)
Kickoff: Friday, 6 p.m.
The breakdown: The Wildcats are coming off a 30-27 loss to Cape Elizabeth last week, and will look to slow down a hot Fryeburg Academy team that has won four games in a row, following a season-opening loss.
In order to pull off the win, York will have to finish their drives with touchdowns, as Fryeburg scored 54, 43, 48 and 27 in the last four games.
"Fryeburg is a tough opponent, and they're having a great season," York head coach Matt Nelson said. "They're really big up front and their middle linebackers are really aggressive and strong players defensively. And offensively, they have some pretty explosive players who we're going to have to account for."
Nelson said he wants to establish a run game which will lead to the offense opening up even more.
Coach's Comment: "We're going to have to make good decisions with the football on offense and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves," Nelson said.
Our prediction: York will put up a fight and the Wildcats will put an end to the four-game Fryeburg winning streak. York 32, Fryeburg Academy 29.
-Brandon Brown
Exeter (4-1) at Portsmouth/Oyster River (5-0)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: Potential game-of-the-year candidate, Exeter travels to Portsmouth to take on the ClipperCats in a battle of two of the top teams in all of Division I.
"It's a big game, obviously a Seacoast game and a little rivalry between the two schools," Exeter head coach Bill Ball said. "We're going to go out there on Friday night and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."
Aside from last week's loss to St. John's (Shrewsbury, Mass), Exeter is 4-0 against Division I New Hampshire teams, with a scoring margin of 130-34.
Ball said the ClipperCats are a much improved team with a lot of skill on both sides of the ball, which makes Friday even more of a challenge.
"(Aidan) Thomas is doing a great job of directing that offense," Ball said of the Portsmouth quarterback. "They have good balance. (Angus) Moss is a fine receiver, then they have (Cole) McLaughlin and (Brooks) Connors in the backfield. We've got our hands full. We can't worry about one area, we have to play a real fine game across the board."
Portsmouth won its out-of-state matchup last week, 20-14 over Oxford Hills, one of the top two teams in all of Maine. Additionally, the ClipperCats are 4-0 against Division I teams, with a margin of 154-34.
Portsmouth head coach Brian Pafford talked about the challenge the Blue Hawks present.
"They are incredibly well coached and an incredibly disciplined team that makes no mistakes," Pafford said. "They execute their offense and defense as well as anyone in the state."
Coach's Comment: "I think it's do what we didn't do last year, which is not have seven penalties against us, not let an opening kickoff go, not making a mental mistake and leave a guy wide open in coverage wise," Pafford said on learning from last year's game. "Just more mature as a team, making sure we believe what we're doing, execute and give us at least a chance to beat them."
Our prediction: This will be a great game played on both sides, and one team will suffer its first in-state defeat of the season. A game that will go down to the wire, the ClipperCats will get a long-awaited win over Exeter. Portsmouth/Oyster River 24, Exeter 21.
Follow the game on Twitter: @brandonbrownSC1
-Brandon Brown
Bedford (5-0) at Dover (3-1-1)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: Dover hosts its third game of a four-game stretch at home, and coach Eric Cumba hopes they can take advantage of the opportunity to slow down a Bedford team that has been a juggernaut so far this season.
“It’s a weird schedule this year that has us playing four in a row at home,” Cumba said. “I think one of the hardest things to do as a high school athlete is to get on a bus and travel for a long time to get to a game, then get yourself ready to play. But ultimately, Bedford is an excellent team, and the game is the game, it doesn’t really matter where it's played.”
Dover (3-1-1) has scored 35 points or more in each of its three wins this season, but the Green Wave will host a Bedford team (5-0) that has allowed only three points all season, and has been steamrolling opponents, including a 45-0 win last week over a solid Nashua North team.
“Obviously our first focus is to score a touchdown and get off to a fast start,” Cumba said. “We need to make some plays and stay on time offensively. Obviously Ryder (Aubin) has done a great job for us of getting the ball where it needs to be. Our offensive line has done a great job of protecting him and our backs have done a great job of making plays for us. We will need all of them to take it to an even higher level this week.”
Scoring is only half the battle for Dover as its defense has to stop a Bedford offense that has won every game by 21 points or more. Cumba said his defense will have to be disruptive and make life difficult on Bedford's playmakers.
“Defensively, we have to play hard and make them work for everything,” he said. “We have to keep the ball in front of us and play downhill. And we have to make sure we are in the right place and make plays when we have the opportunity.”
Win or lose, Cumba said this game will give some clarity as to where his team stands.
“It’s a measuring stick game for both teams,” he said. “We both want to put ourselves on the map for New Hampshire.”
Our prediction: Dover is a contender in Division I, but Bedford appears to be the team to beat. The Bulldogs will cede their first touchdown of the season, but will leave with a win. Bedford 34, Dover 13
Follow the game on Twitter: @tcovey11
-Terrill Covey
Goffstown (1-4) at Winnacunnet (0-5)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: The Warriors enter the second half of the season still looking for their first win, while the Grizzlies will arrive in Hampton on a four-game losing streak.
Since opening the season with a 33-20 win over Nashua South, Goffstown has been outscored 141-26 in its four losses.
Winnacunnet failed to score in its first two games, and has scored just one touchdown in each of its past three games - losses to Memorial and Exeter, and at out-of-state Bangor, Maine last Saturday.
The Warriors hope playing at home for the first time in three weeks will get them into the win column. However, home has not been kind to the Warriors of late, losing their last seven games. WHS has not won a home game since the 2021 season where it advanced to the Division I championship game against Londonderry.
Coach's comments: "Goffstown presents plenty of challenges," Winnacunnet head coach Ryan Francoeur said. "They are really well-coached. Coach (Nick) Hammond does a great job with that program, a lot of pride in that program, and they always come to play. We'll have to be at our best for sure, but we're looking forward to the opportunity this week."
Our prediction: The Warriors have been getting more consistent drives on offense, and have picked up the efforts on defense. It all comes together this week against the Grizzlies. Winnacunnet 17, Goffstown 13
Follow the game on Twitter: @JayPinceSMG
-Jay Pinsonnault
St. Thomas (3-2) at Laconia (2-2)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: The Saints look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season and spoil Laconia’s Homecoming in the process. Both teams are coming off victories last week and both are in playoff contention in Division II East. St. Thomas defeated Pembroke, 55-12, while Laconia downed Gilford-Belmont, 27-19.
Coach’s Comment: “We want to get into the playoffs,” said STA coach Ed McDonough. “I don’t think a loss will derail us, but it will make it tougher. If we can get to 4-2 with three games remaining, I like our odds.”
The run-first Saints scored more points last week (55) than the first four games combined (42). They rushed for a season-high 290 yards against Pembroke and seemed to be clicking on all cylinders with quarterback Michael Skowron at the helm. McDonough was encouraged by what he saw last week on both sides of the ball.
“We’ve been running the ball well,” McDonough said. “The lines have gotten better. I thought we did a nice job being physical and wrapping up defensively. Hopefully, we can bring the same level of effort up to Laconia on (Friday) night.”
McDonough said the Sachems have some talented players at the skill positions.
“I think it’ll be a competitive game,” he said. “We’re 3-2 and now we’ve got four games remaining. Hopefully we can keep getting better each week and make a playoff push.”
Prediction: The Saints continue to run the ball with a good amount of success and come home with their fourth win of the season. St. Thomas 24, Laconia 20
-Al Pike
Telstar Regional (1-4) at Traip Academy (1-4)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: The Traip Rangers snapped a 22-game losing streak with last week's 42-6 win over Mount View.
"They have a different kind of mindset this week than normal, because now they feel really good about where we're at in the season, so they're energetic," Traip Academy Eric Lane said on this beginning of this week's practice. "We just need to have a good week of practice, because we have a game Friday and it's Homecoming so we've got to be firing on all cylinders this week."
Behind a successful rushing attack and a defense led by Jack Byron's four sacks, the Rangers showed they are capable of playing a full four quarters on both sides of the ball, which speaks to the growth that Lane has consistently seen from the team this year.
Despite a 1-4 record, Lane said Telstar Regional is a really good team.
"They play very hard, and just seeing them on film, they aren't ones that we can take lightly," Lane said. "But if we come out and play like we did last Saturday, then we have a shot on beating them."
Telstar has allowed 180 points through five games, an average of 38 points per game.
"If we run the ball like we did this past week, it sets up our pass," Lane said. "We've been really focused on running the ball a lot this year, so now that it's starting to work. We want to continue running the ball with Seamus (Berry) and JV (Blanco). I feel good with those two workhorses back there giving us some good yardage this week."
Our prediction: The Rangers will defend their home turf and build upon last week's success with another win on Friday night. Traip Academy 35, Telstar Regional 21.
- Brandon Brown
Somersworth (2-1) at Raymond (4-0)
Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m.
The breakdown: It's been a while since the Hilltoppers suffered a defeat, but Somersworth lost a one-point game, 13-12 to Newport last weekend. Now it's time to see how Somersworth will respond, and the road doesn't get much easier on the road this Friday.
"This week's going to test us in a different way than last week did," Somersworth head coach Jeremy Lambert said. "Certainly we're going to have to be on our game with pass coverage. (Raymond) tends to attack things through the air and do a little less ground game, so we're going to have to play some good and disciplined pass defense."
Raymond enters Saturday's matchup having scored 46, 12, 28 and 52 points in the team's first four games, and Somersworth's offense was just as powerful in the first two weeks with 100 total points, before scoring 12 last week.
It will certainly be a test for the Hilltoppers, but it is a Hilltoppers defense that has only allowed a total of 19 points through three games. Lambert highlighted the team's speed and aggressiveness as two key components as to why the defense has started the season strong.
"That was a big strength for us the past couple of years and it's continued for us this year," Lambert said. "The kids are flying around, they're making their reads, they're playing fast and to me, that's the secret to a great defense. We've just got to come at (Raymond), and try to not let them get comfortable and get settled, and try to force them to do some things that they don't want to do."
Our prediction: Somersworth will bounce back behind its rushing attack and a defense that will make the right plays at big moments. Somersworth 26, Raymond 23.
- Brandon Brown
Spaulding (0-4) at Manchester Central (2-3)
Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m.
The breakdown: Spaulding enters Saturday's matchup fresh off of a 57-point performance in last week's out-of-state win over Edward Little, Maine - led by running back Hunter Trueman's four rushing touchdowns.
The Red Raiders will look to put together another week of a high scoring output when they face a Central team that has allowed 115 points in its three losses this year with two of the losses being at home.
But, Spaulding head coach Kevin Hebert said he knows Central head coach Ryan Ray will always have the team prepared.
"Talented group of players, those guys have talent on the field," Hebert said. "They look to be pretty big, pretty strong and stout up front defensively. So we're going to have to try to keep momentum going from last week, as far as we were able to establish the off tackle area a little bit last week, and they always present some athletic issues as far as having kids who can run and those kinds of things. So we're going to have to try to keep them in front of us for sure."
If the Red Raiders want to grab a playoff spot, Spaulding has to win on Saturday.
Coach's Comment: "We want to continue to build off of last week, and even though it was an out-of-state game, I'm hoping that the guys bring a little bit of that confidence with them," Hebert said. "We've got a month on the schedule here, and we're trying to take one at a time. And this is one, that again, we feel we should be able to compete for four quarters and do the things we always preach which is take care of the ball and try to create turnovers and limit explosive plays defensively. I think we'll be able to hang in there."
Our prediction: The Red Raiders will lean on their terrific skill players and will shut down Central on defense to pick up a Division I win on the road. Spaulding 35, Manchester Central 6.
Follow the game on Twitter: @brandonbrownSC1
- Brandon Brown
Our record on game picks
Last week's record: 6-4, Season-to-date: 30-10.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast high school football predictions: Who will win in Week 6
