SALEM, N.H. — If ever there was a momentum builder heading into a championship game, Salem vs. Nashua North on Oct. 17 would seem to qualify.
That day the Blue Devils outscored North 35-7 in the second half en route to a wild 54-33 romp.
Today at noon, the top-seeded Blue Devils (10-1) will host the second-seeded Titans (9-1) in the Division 1 state title game. It would be Salem's first state title since winning the Division 2 crown in 1995, while North had never made the playoffs prior to this season.
"Salem took it to us pretty good the last time," said Titans coach Jason Robie. "We were leading at halftime and the wheels just fell off our wagon. Their kids just outran us. It was quite a performance."
Nashua North has not beaten Salem in the six meetings since Nashua High broke into North and South prior to the 2004 football season. The Blue Devils have outscored the Titans 205-72, including a pair of shutouts. Last season Salem, mired in a 4-6 campaign, won when Nashua's game-winning 2-point conversion pass to a wide-open receiver fell incomplete.
But five weeks ago, North was without its best offensive weapon, then-injured running back Andre Williams.
"This year we were losing in the first half, then it just snowballed in our favor," said Salem coach Jack Gati. "But we didn't have to face Williams, so I'm sure this is going to be a very different game. He is a major difference-maker."
Despite employing a spread offense — shotgun with four receivers and a running back — North is run-oriented.
Williams has carried much of the load, rushing 165 times for 1,202 yards (7.3 average) with 18 touchdowns. He has recorded six 100-yard games (and one 99-yard performance) including a 276-yard, five-touchdown gem against 2008 Division 1 champ and crosstown rival Nashua South.
"He can run through you or over you," said Robie of his 6-foot-1, 180-pound halfback. "He can see holes open quickly, and takes advantage."
North's other rushing threat is co-starting quarterback Dylan Brodeur. The 6-foot, 210-pounder has carried 92 times for 692 yards and nine touchdowns. He is also 20 of 36 passing for 226 yards and four TDs.
But when the Titans go to the air, they call on junior Brandon Karkhanis (62 of 102, 982 yards, 7 TDs).
North will be without top receiver Jamar Gathright (19 catches, 285 yards, 4 total TDs), who was lost for the season with a broken collarbone. So the primary pass-catchers are Trevor Rancourt (22 catches, 285 yards, 5 TDs), and Brodeur, who began playing the slot after the loss of Gathright and caught two passes for 58 yards in the semifinals against Manchester Central.
Robie acknowledged that the key to victory will be to slow down Salem's dynamic rushing attack of Max Jacques (207 carries, 1,736 yards, 23 TDs) and c (122 carries, 1,141 yards, 18 TDs).
Jacques (22 carries, 267 yards, 3 TDs) and Fedrick (14 carries, 224 yards, 3 TDs) shredded North for a combined 491 yards in their first meeting.
Defensively, North is paced by inside linebacker David Duong, 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive end Kevin Rosenberg and defensive tackle Joe Pacheco.
"You know what Salem's going to do," said Robie. "When they get the edge you can't catch them, even if you have a good angle. They are terrific running inside and outside, then their QB (Matt Cannone) can throw the ball off play-action. We sure have our hands full."
Triple Play?
North has never beaten Salem, but the Titans had never beaten Manchester Central or Pinkerton Academy before this fall, either.
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