​Bedford Beats Salem in a Granite State Challenge Squeaker

DURHAM, NH — In this week's Granite State Challenge match, the Bedford High Bulldogs faced the Salem High Blue Devils. Both teams played an aggressive game and were separated by only 10 points going into the final round, according to a press statement. The lead ping-ponged back and forth in the fourth round, where a correct answer could give a team 20 points, but an incorrect answer would cost a team 20 points.

With less than 30 seconds on the clock, Bailey Ellis correctly identified the glockenspiel as a German instrument with metal bars after Salem missed the question, which gave her team 10 point lead with only 22 seconds left in the game. Another missed question by Salem about the rhombus gave Bedford a 30 point lead and a final score 440 to 410.

Bedford Coach Robby Zeller had a tough time sitting on the sidelines: "I knew our students were strong, but I think I aged about five years during this tight back-and-forth match. We'll train up their reflexes and hopefully the next match won't be so stressful."

Coach Jon Cannon added, "We couldn't be more proud of the poise of our team! They hung in there and didn't give up, and neither did Salem. It was a great game no matter what the outcome!"

The Bedford Bulldogs were represented by captain Jon Hill, along with Bailey Ellis, Josh Taranto, Neelam Sandhu, and alternates Jacob Nover and Luke Knedeisen. The teams was coached by Jon Cannon and Robby Zeller. Playing for the Salem Blue Devils was captain Tony Consentino, Jonathan Tarness, Aidan Gallo, Julie Appelstein and alternates Laura Perrault and Alixis Ahern. The team was coached by Bernie Campbell.

Watch this and all the matches online >>

Bedford High School now advances to the second round of Granite State Challenge. Hosted by Jim Jeannotte, the popular quiz contest began the season with 16 Granite State high school teams battling toward the coveted SuperChallenge title. Also, for a fifth year, there will be a Granite State vs. Bay State Governor's Cup match between the winners of the Granite State Challenge and the WGBH Boston High School Quiz Show.

New Hampshire's top high school academic teams demonstrate remarkable teamwork, quick thinking and smarts as they play Granite State Challenge. The game emphasizes quick recall of math, science, social studies, language arts and fine arts facts—along with questions about current events, entertainment, sports, and New England.

Watch Granite State Challenge Saturdays at 6 p.m. on NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE or live on Facebook: facebook.com/NHPTV. All games are available to watch online at video.nhptv.org. Online GSC quizzes keep students and audiences involved in the fun. nhptv.org/gsc

Granite State Challenge is generously funded by lead sponsor Unitil, a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England; additional funding is provided by NEA-New Hampshire, Heinemann Publishing, D.F. Richard Energy, Measured Progress, Pax World Donor Advised Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the NHHEAF Network Organizations, New Hampshire Magazine, and our Super Sunday partner, Manchester Community College.

Submitted by New Hampshire Public Television.