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Even Kevin Fitzgerald agrees that he has an unusual background for a head football coach.

"It sure is. It's a very unique situation," said Fitzgerald, who has been appointed as Timberlane's new head football coach, succeeding Mike Pariseau, who resigned in January. "I feel very fortunate that I got the support of the other coaches and the administration. I'm really excited about it."

Five months ago, Mike Pariseau was fairly certain that 2007 would be his last season as the Timberlane head football coach. But he couldn't bring himself to make it official until three weeks ago.

"It's hard to give up something (coaching football) you've been doing for 42 years," said Pariseau, who is also retiring as a physical education teacher. "I think it's time, but it's not something I'm completely comfortable with."

GOFFSTOWN — Timberlane was not only out to finish a disappointing season on a high note, but to also play the spoiler role.

The Owls did both yesterday.

C.J. Dupuis caught a fourth-down, 5-yard touchdown pass from Erik Hatton with 3:43 to play and Drew Smith's extra point proved to be the difference in a 21-20 win at Goffstown.

PLAISTOW, N.H. | Timberlane, missing four starters because of a circulating virus, couldn't keep pace with Dover last night, dropping a 34-13 decision.

With starting Owls' linebackers Alex Ranney and Max Zdrada among those missing, Dover had no trouble moving the ball, accumulating 406 yards of total offense, including 268 yards through the air from talented quarterback Matt Kimball.

PLAISTOW, N.H. | The harder it rained, the harder Timberlane played.

After getting pounded by Winnacunnet for most of the first half, and falling behind 28-6 in the process, the Owls refused to fold as the special teams and the defense made plays the offense gladly cashed in. But after climbing to within a point during the worst of the night's deluge, a point-after kick was blocked with 4:15 left in the game, allowing the visiting Warriors to survive with a 35-34 victory.

KEENE | Timberlane's offense came alive in the second half yesterday afternoon, but not enough in a 28-21 loss to Keene in a pivotal Division 2 contest.

The setback dropped the Owls to 3-3 in Division 2 and lifted Keene to the same record.

PLAISTOW, N.H. | Watching Exeter football is rarely exciting, but the Blue Hawks' fans could care less.

Exeter's grind-it-out attack, largely carried out with a full-house backfield similar to Salem, pounded Timberlane in a convincing 28-0 Division 2 victory last night.

How does Timberlane Regional coach Mike Pariseau keep a straight face?

The 15th-year Owls head coach will send two of his best into a meat-grinder Friday night when his club hosts Exeter and its toe-to-toe straight-T offense.

MERRIMACK, N.H. | The winless Merrimack football team had just put its first points of the evening on the board and in the process had cut a once imposing Timberlane lead to just 10.

All of a sudden, the packed Merrimack stands came to life and a blue wave of newfound optimism rippled through the bleachers.

PLAISTOW, N.H. | The Timberlane offense unveiled another weapon in its potent arsenal last night during a 46-24 spanking of Alvirne.

Opposing teams will still need to focus on standout backs Derek Furey (16 carries, 177 yards, 2 TDs) and James Dionne (10 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs), but they had better not forget about speedy wideout Pat Hamilton.