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Methuen senior John Sughrue didn't get the match he would have preferred, but he had plenty of consolation yesterday at the Methuen Invitational.

Because he moved up a weight class to 130 pounds this year, there was no showdown with Salem star Trevor Dearden, but both Sughrue and Dearden came away big winners.

Salem overpowered Nashua North 48-35 by recording six pins and gaining two forfeits. Alex Pittera had the fastest pin of the day, in 15 seconds at 135 pounds, and freshman Devin Dearden looked sharp with a first-period pin at 112.

METHUEN | After last night's game with Nashua North, Methuen coach Pat Graham couldn't help but scratch his head. He had just watched his injury-plagued Rangers get run over by a Titan offense that rushed for 288 yards on 35 carries. Nashua North's John-Leon Gosselin, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound fullback, had just smashed Graham's defense in the mouth, continually running up the gut, daring the Rangers to stop him to the tune of 170 yards on 24 carries.

LONDONDERRY, N.H. | Ryan Griffin put on a show last night, scoring two touchdowns | including a 66-yarder | to lead Londonderry over Nashua North 41-6.

Nine different players carried the ball for the Lancers, who bounced back from last week's 22-14 overtime loss to rival Pinkerton. They grounded out 367 yards on the ground, jumping out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter.

NASHUA | After the previous two weeks, no one could blame Salem's Chris Sousa for being extra happy.

"It's good to get this one out of the way," said the linebacker. "We needed a win to keep pace in Division 1 and to get above .500. We finally got that big win, and now we have to take a bigger step."

Sophomore Sarah Raye had the best performance of her career so far, scoring four goals in Salem's 5-1 win over Nashua North. "She controlled the game," coach Kendrick Whittle said.

Raye capped her big afternoon with a 20-yard rocket of a goal late in the second half. Hanna LaRochelle and Caitlin Peters added assists for the Blue Devils.

NASHUA, N.H. | His ability to score touchdowns duly noted, Pinkerton Academy senior Mike LaRocque is a man of many talents.

Take assessing his Astros football team after last night's 33-0 dispatching of Nashua North.