DERRY, N.H. — Just like when its 47-game winning streak was snapped earlier in the year, the Pelham High football team’s consecutive state championship run had to end at some point.
Unfortunately that day came on Saturday afternoon.
In the cold and wind, a valiant second-half comeback try came up short, as the No. 4 seed Souhegan Sabers captured the New Hampshire Division II championship with a 14-11 victory over No. 2 Pelham at Pinkerton Academy’s Memorial Field.
The loss ends Pelham’s four-year run of state titles, winning the last two in Division II which came after winning a pair of titles in Division III.
Souhegan (10-2) completely dominated play in the first half, only to see Pelham (10-2) dominate in the third quarter, crawling back from an 14-point deficit and cutting it to three. But that was as close as the Pythons could get as the Saber defense was relentless all game, especially in the fourth quarter holding Pelham to -9 yards.
“It was a really good game between two good teams. Our hats off to Souhegan and coach (Robin) Bowkett. They did a great job,” said Pelham High coach Justin Hufft.
“(Souhegan) played hard and they came out and played fast. We weren’t ready for it,” said Hufft. “They were ready. We tried to match it (but couldn’t). I’m really happy with how (Pelham) came out in the second half and made a game out of it. I’m just so really proud of that effort, but at the end of the day, we lost to a better team. Their kids made plays. We were real close on making plays in the first half, too. They were well prepared, they played well up front and that’s how you win football games.”
Souhegan jumped out to the 14-0 first half lead and it could have been double that had it not been for Pelham’s defense stopping the Sabers inside their five yard line twice, including the game’s opening drive at the one.
Souhegan did manage to score two touchdowns, the first on a 27-yard TD pass from quarterback Michael Fiengo to Brody Smith, coming on fourth-and-four coming just 46 seconds into the second quarter. That was followed by Fiengo’s 1 yard QB sneak, coming again on fourth down with 6:04 left in the second.
Pelham stormed right back in the third quarter. Kevin Hardy’s interception set up a 2-yard TD by Junior MacKinnon. That followed with a defensive safety after a high snap on a fourth down punt try, and then a 28-yard field goal by Colby Crear coming with 46 seconds left in the third to cut it to 14-11.
Pelham’s offense didn’t manage a first down after that.
“They were playing really fast and really physical,” said Hufft, about Souhegan’s defense. “Their linebackers were flying to the ball. They really knew what they were doing. We had some stuff, and we just couldn’t make the plays when we needed to. They deserve the win.”
Souhegan 14, Pelham 11
Second Quarter
S: Brody Smith 27 pass from Michael Fiengo (Owen Drake kick)
S: Fiengo (Drake kick)
Third Quarter
P: Junior MacKinnon 2 run (rush failed)
P: Safety
P: Colby Crear 28 Field Goal
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing: Pelham, Kevin Hardy 2-3, 36 yards; Junior MacKinnon 0-1, 0 yards.
Rushing: Pelham, Junior MacKinnon 15-48; Justin Bowlan 8-10; Kevin Hardy 3-6; Ben Maslanek 1-1; Nathan Migliore 1 – (-1)
Receiving: Justin Bowlan 1-37; Junior MacKinnon 1- (-1)