The GoalPost

Tales from the GridIron

2023 Football Season Edition

Volume 7, Issue 7

Lancers in the News

News From Last Week:

Londonderry Times

"Lancers Defense Keeps Titans in Check for 31-7 Win"

Chris Paul, October 13, 2023

"After a slow first half start for the offense in Nashua on Friday night, the Londonderry High School Football was able to chalk up four touchdowns in the second half last week for the Lancers fifth win of the season.

Coming off two close outcomes in the past two weeks, the Lancers was able to put up 31-points against Nashua North and allow just one touchdown to easily move past the 3-2 NNHS squad for a 31-7 victory."

New This Week:

NH Union Leader

"Londonderry thorough in beating Exeter 35-0"

Roger Brown, October 14, 2023

“Thorough” might be the best way to describe the Londonderry High School football team’s performance during its 35-0 triumph over Exeter on Friday night.

The Lancers grabbed the lead on their first offensive possession, scored in every quarter and recorded their third shutout of the season."

Union Leader Power Poll

Staff Report, October 16, 2023

After beating Exeter in Week 7, Londonderry moved up to the number 3 spot, behind Bedford and Pinkerton, and in front of Portsmouth/OR and Salem.

"The (Salem) Blue Devils are a perfect 6-0 against Division I competition and have the opportunity to shake up the top of the poll when they host No. 2 Pinkerton on Friday night. Pinkerton is also 6-0 in Division I, with its lone true test coming in a 24-20 win over Londonderry in Week 4... Salem will have another opportunity against a Power Poll blueblood next week when it travels to face No. 3 Londonderry to close the regular season."

Seacoastonline

"Londonderry hands Exeter its third straight loss, 35-0"

Brandon Brown, October 14, 2023

“It was a rough outing for the Blue Hawks on Friday night during their Division I road trip to Londonderry.

"Some big plays in the first half that (Londonderry) made, pass play and the 50/50 ball down at the goal line, nice play by them. Obviously the takeaways hurt," Exeter head coach Bill Ball said. "They're hard to stop, tough on the edge; very, very good team.""

Hudl

Video highlights from the Lancers win over Exeter, powered by hudl:

Recap: Londonderry vs Exeter 2023

Lancer Happenings

Upcoming Events

Alvirne Game 🤠

Oct 20 AWAY @ Alvirne in Hudson

Senior Night 🎃

Oct 27 AWAY @ Alvirne in Hudson

End of Year Banquet 🍽️

Dec 3, @ DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester

For all game times see:

Londonderry Athletics Calendar of Events

Sawyer Time

Tom Sawyer was a physical education teacher at Londonderry High School and football coach from 1980 - 2007. In early 1980 Londonderry voters approved the football program at the relatively new Londonderry High School, and Sawyer was hired as it's first head football coach. During his 27 year tenure his record was 182-90 wins/losses, and lead the team to ten state finals and winning six state championships in 1985, '86, '88, '94, '96, and '98.

"As legend has it “Sawyer Time” was when the hands on coach’s gold watch stopped ticking during practice if a drill or a break out session was not going as planned." Brian Smith (Londonderry Times, August 11, 2023)

Coach Sawyer was honored at the Lancer's home game against Exeter preceding his induction into the NHIAA Hall of Fame as a Coach later this year on November 12. Prior to the game he met and reminisced with former players, alumni, and friends in the LHS gym.

Coach Tom Sawyer

Sawyer's family

Coach Bicchieri, former player and assistant coach of Coach Sawyer's driving him out onto the field

Coach riding onto the field between former players, alumni and friends

Coach gives the coin toss

Gridiron Zone

Concessions

Help Wanted

We are still looking to fill positions for next week's Senior Night home game! There are a couple of openings each for concessions, Lancer swag, and grilling positions.

Please sign up here

Our concession stand will be open for all Varsity home games.

Enjoy some great food while supporting Lancer Football.

Lancer Football Swag

The Lancer Football store has closed - but there are still lots of great products available during home games near the concessions!

We'll provide an update soon on our remaining inventory. Stop by during our next home game to see what we still have.

GridIron Openings for 2024

There are a number of positions opening on the Londonderry Lancer Gridiron Club board at the start of next year:

President
Concessions Director
Fundraising Director
Members at Large

If you are interested in a position next year please reach out - we would love to help you get involved early. These are elected positions, but we hope to pass on some knowledge and experience to potential candidates before these terms expire!

Feel free to attend our next board meeting: November 14 @ 6:00 PM in room 221 at LHS

Buffalo Wild Wings Players of the Week

Week 7 Players of the week:

Jaydon Navarro, Varsity

Matt Luongo, JV

Jaydon Navarro, 4

Matt Luongo, 18

Week 6 Players of the week:

Ty Parsons, Varsity

Dillon Tufts, JV

Ty Parsons, 24

Dillon Tufts, 51

The BWW Player of the Week is presented in the front lobby of Buffalo Wild Wings in Manchester as part of their Home Team Advantage sponsorship program. Go check it out!

Varsity Wrap-Up

Home vs

Exeter

10-13-2023

Lancers Win!

35 - 0

Alumni Teddy leads the Lancers charge

Game captains Conor Williams, Ty Miles, Cam Brutus, and Jaydon Navarro

Coach's Summary

Friday was a special game to be a part of and I hope the players realize how lucky they are to be a part of such a traditional and supportive community. We were in the presence of the program’s past, present, and future Lancers on Friday night. We were fortunate enough to have Coach Sawyer give us a pre-game speech and explain to our players how great the sport of football is especially in the town of Londonderry. This game was an honor to be a part of and to play Exeter, the same team that Coach Sawyer and Lancers played in the first game in school history is special.

Ty Miles with a tackle for a 3rd down stop on Exeter's opening drive

Conor Williams keeping the ball for a first down in the Lancre's opening drive

Conor Williams readying for a 25-yard pass to...

Jaydon Navarro fighting for yards after catch for a touchdown

The entire night was great, and I am proud of how well the team played on such a big night for the town.

Devin Boles making a huge 29-yard 4th down run on a fake punt (called back)

Jake Schena run in the second quarter

Seth Doyon making a 30-yard catch from Sam Ogden

Jake Schena on 16-yard run for a touchdown

Cam Brutus recovering an Exeter fumble

Alex Villa puts together a couple of runs for a touchdown

The execution in the first half this week was completely opposite of last week but the challenge this season has been being consistent in our practices and preparation, our focus day to day, drive to drive, and game to game, so it’s no surprise we played as well as we did on Friday. The key to our success is being the same team every day and not having off weeks like we did vs Nashua North.

Jake Schena huge kick-off return to the Exeter 38 yard line to open the second half

Drew Heenan helping with the QB's

Devin Boles making a tackle

Sam Ogden keeping the ball for a run

Sam Ogden toss to Caiden Malek after fake the other way to Jake Schena

Caiden Malek running the ball in untouched 14-yards for a touchdown

Special teams showed a lot of improvement this week. Our defense continues to play tough and physical, and our offense looked more efficient on Friday than it has the past few weeks. Up next, we play two tough conference opponents.

Adrian Cruz getting the ball in for a touchdown after runs by Cam Brutus, Carson Palma & Cruz on a 59-yard drive

Pete Tarrier (NH-Sportspage.com) interviewing the victors

Lancer Football victors

JV Wrap-Up

Away at

Exeter

10-14-2023

Lancers Win!

Coach's Summary

Our JV team played a great game on Saturday. The defense never allowed the run game for Exeter to get going. We allowed a few open receivers but some of those were because of the defensive calls. We were led by some hard-hitting juniors that set a tone for the inside run game and forced Exeter to throw the ball more than they’re used to.

The offense was explosive through the air throwing for four touchdowns. The offense also put together a great scoring drive before half as they drove 60 yards in 41 seconds with no timeouts to get in the endzone. It was a fun Saturday in Exeter, and the boys should be proud of how well they played.

Freshmen Wrap-Up

away at

Exeter

10-12-2023

Freshmen win!

40-13

Coach's Summary

The Londonderry Lancers freshman football team advanced to 7-0 by beating Exeter 40-13. Touchdowns were scored by numerous players including Jordan Ball and Devin VanAvery.