1 week Ago
BOW, N.H. — The winning streak is alive for the Pelham High football team.
The Pythons made it 42 straight victories — the fourth longest winning streak in the entire country, dating back to 2019 — by defeating Bow (34-13) in their season-opener on Saturday. But this game felt different for Pelham. After four years of dispatching of opponents with machine-like efficiency, the Pythons entered the weekend with a mountain of uncertainty.
On Friday, Pelham first-year head coach John Trisciani resigned, just a day before the season was set to open, and less than three months after accepting the job. That came after six-time state champion head coach Tom Babaian stepped down in February. The Pythons were also without starting quarterback Nick Muise — one of the few impact players back from last year’s title team — who suffered an injury in the Queen City Jamboree on Aug.
30, and a pair of starting offensive linemen, including senior returnee Tyler Cloutier. That further complicated a rebuilding process for a team that graduated three Eagle-Tribune All-Stars and returned just three starters on offense and four starters on defense. Athletic director and former Goffstown head coach Justin Hufft stepped in to coach the team, but he just joined the school system in July.
and he inherited Trisciani’s coaching staff — which is new this season. “It was crazy what went on over 48 hours,” said Pelham senior Justin Bowlan, who rushed for a touchdown and excelled on defense. “All of the seniors and upperclassmen got together and said that everything that happened was out of our control.
All we could do was focus on playing football and being the best team that we could.” Pelham did just that, taking care of business — and keeping that historic streak alive. “We’re really proud of how the kids came out and got that victory,” said Hufft.
“I think they were looking forward to playing football. Things were crazy this week, but these kids love football, and have great leadership. I’m proud of the way they kept their heads up and conducted themselves with class and grit.
” The distractions of the last week — and the pressure of the streak, which many thought could end on Saturday — didn’t appear to faze a hyped up Pythons squad that hit the field with energy and enthusiasm. New go-to back, senior Junior MacKinnon, ran for 127 yards and scored three touchdowns, Nathan Migliore broke a 92-yard TD run, and backup quarterback Kevin Hardy threw a touchdown pass and made an interception playing defense. Next up, Pelham will put the winning streak on the line again, hosting John Stark (1-0) on Friday (7 p.
m.) Does the streak occupy the minds of the Pythons? “I wouldn’t say pressured,” said Bowlan. “We do a good job not talking about the streak, and just worrying about the next game.
But we do take pride in the streak. We want to win every game. We just don’t talk about it.
” FIRST QUARTER P — Nathan Migliore 92 run (rush failed) B — Brady Lover 17 run (kick failed) SECOND QUARTER P — Junior MacKinnon 7 run (Migliore rush) P — Justin Bowlan 6 run (MacKinnon pass from Kevin Hardy) THIRD QUARTER B — Lover 18 run (Kody McCranie kick) P — MacKinnon 17 pass from Hardy (rush failed) FOURTH QUARTER P — MacKinnon 10 run (rush failed) INDIVIDUAL STATS RUSHING: Pelham — Junior MacKinnon 16-127, Nathan Migliore 4-106, Brady Williams 2-37, Justin Bowlan 5-31, Billy Nicolls 6-29; Bow Leaders -- Brady Lover 4-38, Chase Flagg 5-32, Miles Miller 9-31 PASSING: Pelham — Kevin Hardy 2-2-0, 48; Bow Leaders — Lover 2-7-1, 56 RECEIVING: Pelham -- MacKinnon 1-17, Jacob Chafe 1-31; Bow Leader: Caleb Schumacher 1-47 TWITTER: DWillisET.
