The GoalPost

Tales from the GridIron

2024 Football Season Edition

Volume 8, Issue 11

Lancers in the News

News From Last Week:

Lancer Spirit Online

"Semi Showdown: Lancers set to battle Exeter for a spot in the championship"

Dillon Tufts, Sports Chief (and senior player #51), November 22, 2024

"Just three weeks ago, the Lancers were in Exeter for the final game of the regular season. Now they are back for playoffs, and the stakes are much higher than before.

The goal is simple: win, and you get a ticket to the Division 1 State Championship game. Lose, and you go home, and the Lancers have already fallen once to Exeter."

Read article here

Londonderry Times

"Lancers Get Past Panthers in 28-13 Quarterfinal Win"

Chris Paul, November 24, 2024

"The Londonderry High School Football squad did what they needed to during their quarter-final match-up with the Nashua South Purple Panthers. Winning by a score of 28-13, at home, on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 16.

The victory will send the number three seeded Lancers to Exeter, the number two seed, next Saturday in the semifinals, being played at the Bill Ball Stadium at Exeter High School, starting at 1 p.m.

Most of the LHS damage was done by way of a running attack. The Lancers finish the game with nearly 400-yards rushing, but were only able to gain four-yards in the air.

They were pretty vulnerable to the Nashua passing game, giving up 122-passing-yards to the Purple Panthers."

Read the article here

New This Week:

NH Union Leader

"Thompson's last-play FG lifts Londonderry into Division I championship game"

Roger Brown, November 23, 2024

“It’s a game that had more twists and turns than a mountain road, and it ended on Blake Thompson’s game-winning field goal.

Thompson made a 32-yard kick as time expired to hand third-seeded Londonderry High School a 31-28 victory over second-seeded Exeter in Saturday’s Division I semifinals."

“It was like death by paper cuts,” said South coach Scott Knight

Read the article here (trial or subscription required)

NH Union Leader

Granite State Grid

"Londonderry advances on last-play FG"

Updated November 23

“Londonderry 31, Exeter 28: Senior Blake Thompson drilled a 32-yard field goal as time expired, giving Londonderry a 31-28 victory over previously unbeaten Exeter in a thrilling Division I state semifinal on Saturday at Bill Ball Stadium.

Thompson's kick sent the Lancers into next Saturday's championship game against rival Pinkerton Academy. Game time has been set for 1 p.m., at a site to be determined."

Read the article here (trial or subscription required)

NH Football Report

"Helmet Stickers Week 12"

"Blake Thompson (Londonderry)

Thompson made a 32-yard field goal as time expired to hand third-seeded Londonderry a 31-28 victory over second-seeded Exeter in Saturday’s Division I semifinals. Thompson also made each of his four PATs.”

Click here to read the article

NH Union Leader Power Poll

Roger Brown, November 26, 2024

"Power Poll Week 12"

With their win over Exeter, Londonderry jumped from #4 to #2 in the Union Leader Power Poll, just below Pinkerton who moved up from #3. Exeter dropped to #3 and Bedford dropped to #4.

"2. Londonderry (8-3)

Beat No. 3 Exeter 31-28 in Division I semifinals. Up next: vs. No. 1 Pinkerton in Saturday’s Division I championship game."

The Power Poll is based on voting by members of the media from the Union Leader, NH-HighSchoolSports.com, and FNLNH Media.

Read the article here (trial or subscription required)

WMUR News | High School Football

"Londonderry defeated Exeter, 31-28. Londonderry will advance to the championship game next Saturday where they will play Pinkerton."

Watch the highlights here Lancers at 2:30

NH-HighSchoolSports.com

"Thompson’s field goal lifts Londonderry past Exeter, into D1 football final"

Joe Marchilena, November 23, 2024

“Blake Thompson kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired Saturday to give the Londonderry High School football team a 31-28 win over Exeter in the Division I semifinals at Bill Ball Stadium in Exeter.

The Lancers move on to the D1 title game for the fourth year in a row and fifth time in the last six seasons. Londonderry will face No. 4 Pinkerton, which beat No. 1 Bedford in the other semifinal, at 1 p.m. on Nov. 30 at site to be determined.”

Read the article here

Seacoastonline

"Exeter's dream football season ends with loss after stunning comeback: How it happened"

Brandon Brown, November 25, 2024

“Down 21-0 early in the second quarter to Londonderry in a NHIAA Division I semifinal on Saturday, Exeter quarterback Mike Caron said the team was a little stunned...

Lancers' kicker Blake Thompson put a bitter end to the Blue Hawks' rally, nailing a game-winning 31-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the fourth quarter to push Londonderry to a 31-28 win over Exeter at Exeter High School."

Read the article here (subscription required)

2024 Football Playoffs

NHIAA Division 1 Football

The Lancers are going to the 'Ship!

NHIAA Division 1 Championship

For the fourth year in a row, and fifth time in six years, the Lancer's are headed to the NHIAA Division I State Championship!

They will play their conference rival Pinkerton Academy Astros for for the 53rd time* - but only the second meeting ever in a state championship game - their last meeting being 31 years ago back in 1993!

* per Roger Brown, NH Football Report

"You're going to State... Nothing is going to be bigger than that. Play it that way. Play it like it's the last time you're ever going to lace up." - Tim Riggins, Friday Night Lights

2024 Boys Football: Division I

Gridiron Zone

Gridiron Board Openings for 2025

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

Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Events Director
PR/Social Media Director

If you are interested in a position next year please reach out. These are elected positions, and we will have more information coming soon regarding elections.

Lancer Happenings

Upcoming Events

NHIAA Div 1 State Championship

The Lancer's play Pinkerton Accademy in the State Championship on November 30

End of Year Banquet

Dec 8 @ Double Tree, Manchester, NH

For all game times see:

Londonderry Athletics Calendar of Events

Varsity Wrap-Up

away at

Exeter

11-23-2024

Final Score

31 - 28

Win

School-Record Breaking Point-After Kick

Comments from the News

Seacoastonline

“Lancers head coach Jimmy Lauzon said it was a "heavyweight fight."

"It was just back and forth," Lauzon said. "I knew when we got up 21-0 that we better keep scoring, because (Exeter) is not going away. All the respect in the world to Coach Ball and their staff, they do a great job and it's a sweet victory, but I know what it's like to be on the other sideline."