Nashua PAL 4th Grade Football - Game September 8 2013

NPF 19 Londonderry 7

The Nashua PAL Force 4th Grade Football team travelled to Londonderry to face the 0-1 Wildcats. The Force were coming off a hard fought 12-6 win in the season opener and were looking win consecutive games to start the season. The Force elected to defer giving the Wildcats the first possession of the game. Nashua’s defense started off strong. After a 6 yard gain on first down, the Force defense took control of the 1st possession with strong tackling by Matt Oliver, Riley Bean and Jesse Allen. The 4th down attempt was snuffed out by the entire Nashua defense as Marcus King and Drew Sheehan stopped the Londonderry running back well short of the first down.

Nashua’s offense took the field looking for a fast start and that is exactly what they did. Isaac Smith would race for a 15 yards on his first carry. On the very next play, “Hurricane” Smith would explode for a 56 yard touchdown run behind the strong blocking of Ethan Paquin, Devyn Lavoie, Jacob Moore, Alex Forbes andRocco Ciardi. The ensuing point after attempt was good on a finely executed reverse by Juan Torres and Dylan Homsy who was able to sneak inside the pylon to give Nashua a 7-0 lead.

Nashua’s defense would come back on the field with focus and desire. They would stop the Wildcats on 4 consecutive plays. Liam Finn, Keyshawn Bugg andZach Howard would wrap up would be ball carriers for Londonderry a yard short of the first down marker. The offense that looked so punishing went back to work. On the very next play, Smith would take make a sensational 60 yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, a flag on the play brought the play back. After two more penalties, the Force were left at 1st and a country mile. (Ok probably closer to 35 yards..) the Force would turn the ball over on 4th down deep inside their own territory. Londonderry would capitalize on the shortened field and would score from 5 yards out on a 4th down run. The Wildcats would scored on their Point After try to tie the score at 7.

The Force didn’t appear to be shaken. They would take the ball after the ensuing kickoff and immediately went to work. Consecutive strong runs by Dylan Homsy and Zach Howard would set the Force up inside enemy territory. Nashua would take the lead for good on the next play. Isaac Smith would race around the edge with a host of Force blockers and after a quick juke, Smith sprinted down the sideline for a touchdown. The PAT was no good leaving the score at 13-7. Once again, the Nashua PAL Defense would be called upon to stop the Wildcats offense. They would do exactly that. Once again, strong defensive play by the defensive line and linebackers would snuff out the chances by the Wildcats. The offense would get the ball again looking to add to the lead. Keyshawn Bugg would gain some tough yards up the middle which opened up running lanes outside. Dylan Homsy would take advantage of that room as he took a toss play and found the endzone again to give the Force a 19-7 lead.

The second half would see Nashua move the ball for some first downs only to have penalties that would end their drives. The good news for Nashua, the defense was more than up for the challenge. The Wildcats would not gain another first down during the entire second half. Strong play by Cornerback Connor Winslow would yield the defenses first interception of the year. Winslow would read the play perfectly and much like Darrelle Revis, Winslow would fight for the interception leaving the Wildcats scratching their heads. The offense would close the game in victory formation giving the visiting Nashua PAL Force a hard fought 19-7 win. The win moves NPF to 2-0 on the season while Londonderry falls to 0-2. Next up for the Force is the 2-0 Salem Rams.