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LONDONDERRY, N.H. — No gimmicks, no gadgets. No trickery or twists.

With nearly 4,000 folks gathered as witnesses here at Lancer Park, Pinkerton commandeered the inside track to the top spot and No. 1 in Division 1 football, pounding rival Londonderry 31-12 last night.

DERRY, N.H. — With 8:30 left yesterday, Salem High coach Jack Gati looked up at the scoreboard and smiled.His young, upstart Blue Devils had the football, down only 21-14, with a worn-out Pinkerton defense on a mucked-up field. It was the perfect upset scenario.

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Two quarters of strenuous work, a 27-point, seven-minute barrage and one step closer to the heart of the 2008 football schedule.

Brian O’Reilly and his Pinkerton Astros left the Queen City with a solid sense of satisfaction, polishing off Manchester West before the snack-bar hot cocoa had a chance to simmer, 34-13, last night.

MANCHESTER, N.H. — An unlikely prime-time performer stood out among the usual stars last night. Shawn Clukey, the kicker, shined brightly during Pinkerton's 41-6 blowout of Manchester Memorial.

NASHUA, N.H. — Despite battling injuries before the kickoff and subpar play for almost three quarters, Pinkerton still found itself within a touchdown against a jacked-up Bishop Guertin squad.

They say repeating as champion is the toughest thing to do in sports.

Don't tell Pinkerton.

The three-time defending champions seem to have all the weapons they need to once again take the Division 1 title by force. Though leading stats men Pete Mazzola and Bobby Dattilo have graduated, there are number of players ready to step into their roles, as is usually the case with the Astros.