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SALEM, N.H. ­— The Blue Devils of Salem earned their top billing on the state-playoff marquee with an explosive rushing attack.

So what do they do when the season is on the line?

DERRY N.H. — This is not the way Pinkerton Academy wanted to go into the playoffs.

For the third time in four weeks, the Astros were unable to score more than two touchdowns as Nashua North dominated the second half and ran away with a 23-14 victory in the final game of the regular season. Pinkerton (5-5 overall, 5-3 Division I) will travel to top-seeded Salem in the semifinals next week. Nashua North (8-1, 7-1) qualified for the postseason for the first time in the school's six-year history and will play host to Manchester Central in the other semifinal.

NASHUA, N.H. — Londonderry lost a heartbreaker at Nashua North last night, 49-48 in overtime.

he Lancers (4-4) outgained Nashua 475-326 in the wild affair and had control of the ball more than twice as long (32:25 to 15:35), but Nashua North scored just before both the end of the first half and regulation, and a final kicked extra point in OT proved the difference.

Despite battling inexperience issues, Timberlane continues to impress with its hustle and desire on the court, drawing kudos from opponent Nashua North despite dropping a 3-0 decision. Katie Matatall had three kills and 14 digs to lead the fledgling Owls.

NASHUA, N.H.  – Once a beast with only 20 points allowed through three Division 1 games, Salem High’s defense was crumbling.Nashua South put up 35 and Timberlane 34 the last two weeks, and yesterday Nashua North was well on its way to a 50-spot for the second straight game, leading 26-19 at halftime.“We started the season so well, with almost three shutouts in a row,” said linebacker Darren Brown, who had a dozen tackles including one de-cleater that drew “oohs” from the 200 or so Salem fans here at Stellos Stadium.“The last three games we allowed 35, 34 and 26 more in the first half today.”Brown and the boys took the recent woes a bit personally, regaining their physical mojo and slamming the door on the previously unbeaten Titans.Meanwhile, Max Jacques and Jerckson Fedrick kept churning and burning up the Stellos Stadium turf, powering the Blue Devils to the 54-33 win.Now 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Division 1, Salem stands alone at the top of the standings with a clear path to the top seed in the November playoffs.Jacques and Fedrick gave North fits from the opening handoff, piling up a combined 491 yards and seven TDs.Running their series of sweeps and counters, the Titans had a Devil of a time finding Jacques and Fedrick.When spotted, they spent much of the afternoon blasting through arm tackles or outrunning angles on defensive backs.The region’s leading rusher, Jacques now has 1,373 yards after his 22-rush, 267-yard day. With TDs of 45, 1 and 61 yards, the junior becomes the region’s first 100-point man of 2009 with 110 through seven games.Fedrick, just a sophomore, delivered 224 yards and TD runs of 43, 42, 81 and 2 yards. He nearly added a fifth the ultimate knockout blow, a mid-fourth quarter interception.But Fedrick’s weary legs only brought him back 72 yards to the North 14 where Alex Sobrado put it away with his TD untouched.The difference, though, was defense. “They didn’t do much at all after we adjusted,” added Brown of the Devils who pounced on a pair of interceptions and outgained North 313-183 in the second half and dominated on the scoreboard 35-7.On Jacques pick, it was rugged linebacker Joey DiPalma (13 tackles) charging hard on the blitz to force the errant throw.Salem’s second half effort was all about pride.“Our focus changed things in the second half,” said Fedrick. “We were awful sloppy in the first half defensively. We know what we can do. It’s just a matter that we have to master our assignments and do it. I think we showed that in the second half.”

NASHUA, N.H.  – Once a beast with only 20 points allowed through three Division 1 games, Salem High’s defense was crumbling.Nashua South put up 35 and Timberlane 34 the last two weeks, and yesterday Nashua North was well on its way to a 50-spot for the second straight game, leading 26-19 at halftime.“We started the season so well, with almost three shutouts in a row,” said linebacker Darren Brown, who had a dozen tackles including one de-cleater that drew “oohs” from the 200 or so Salem fans here at Stellos Stadium.“The last three games we allowed 35, 34 and 26 more in the first half today.”Brown and the boys took the recent woes a bit personally, regaining their physical mojo and slamming the door on the previously unbeaten Titans.Meanwhile, Max Jacques and Jerckson Fedrick kept churning and burning up the Stellos Stadium turf, powering the Blue Devils to the 54-33 win.Now 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Division 1, Salem stands alone at the top of the standings with a clear path to the top seed in the November playoffs.Jacques and Fedrick gave North fits from the opening handoff, piling up a combined 491 yards and seven TDs.Running their series of sweeps and counters, the Titans had a Devil of a time finding Jacques and Fedrick.When spotted, they spent much of the afternoon blasting through arm tackles or outrunning angles on defensive backs.The region’s leading rusher, Jacques now has 1,373 yards after his 22-rush, 267-yard day. With TDs of 45, 1 and 61 yards, the junior becomes the region’s first 100-point man of 2009 with 110 through seven games.Fedrick, just a sophomore, delivered 224 yards and TD runs of 43, 42, 81 and 2 yards. He nearly added a fifth the ultimate knockout blow, a mid-fourth quarter interception.But Fedrick’s weary legs only brought him back 72 yards to the North 14 where Alex Sobrado put it away with his TD untouched.The difference, though, was defense. “They didn’t do much at all after we adjusted,” added Brown of the Devils who pounced on a pair of interceptions and outgained North 313-183 in the second half and dominated on the scoreboard 35-7.On Jacques pick, it was rugged linebacker Joey DiPalma (13 tackles) charging hard on the blitz to force the errant throw.Salem’s second half effort was all about pride.“Our focus changed things in the second half,” said Fedrick. “We were awful sloppy in the first half defensively. We know what we can do. It’s just a matter that we have to master our assignments and do it. I think we showed that in the second half.”

NASHUA, N.H.  – Once a beast with only 20 points allowed through three Division 1 games, Salem High’s defense was crumbling. Nashua South put up 35 and Timberlane 34 the last two weeks, and yesterday Nashua North was well on its way to a 50-spot for the second straight game, leading 26-19 at halftime.

NASHUA, N.H.  – Once a beast with only 20 points allowed through three Division 1 games, Salem High’s defense was crumbling.

Lindsey Bolduc turned away seven Nashua North shots helping Londonderry post its seventh girls soccer shutout of the year, 3-0.

Mike Wanelik and Zach Wheeler were beyond dominant in Pinkerton's 5-0 victory over Nashua North. Wanelik continued his strong season as he lit up North's defense for three goals while Wheeler added a pair, keeping the Astros (8-1) near the top of the Class L standings.