RallyNorth.net

Charles Darwin would've loved studying the quarterback.

At an early age, he is led into the jungle, where he's forced to fight off predators.

If he's weak, he'll fall behind. If he's strong, he'll lead the pack.

MANCHESTER, N.H. | Less than four and a half minutes into the game, and it was already over.

The first time an Astro had a chance to handle the ball, Eric Guinto ran back a punt 60 yards for a touchdown. Bobby Dattilo added a score, the first of four for the senior back, at 7:32 to essentially ice the game for Pinkerton, which rolled to a 53-6 win over Manchester Memorial.

It's Mack Plaque weekend along Route 102 as rivals Pinkerton and Londonderry get together in Derry Saturday afternoon. Two questions about the unbeaten Astros:

1. Can they bounce back emotionally after beating Salem?

SALEM | Bobby Dattilo had just one thing on his mind. "I thought to myself, 'Just stay up,'" said the Pinkerton senior. "I just had to stay on my feet and keep running."

On a crucial third-and-3 from the Salem 47-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, Dattilo took a handoff up the middle and appeared to be stopped for a minimum gain by the staunch Blue Devils' defensive front.

SALEM | With a huge smile on his face and his eye-back dripping from his chin, Pinkerton defensive back Steve Eurieck could not contain his excitement.

"I saw the quarterback (Hal Landers) running around and I went to hit him," the senior said, still short of breath. "I missed and just said, 'Oh damn.' But then I looked back and saw we got the interception, so it worked out pretty well, now didn't it."

Patty Verge has an important reservation Saturday afternoon, one with little wiggle room according to her son, Colby. "She'll be on the Pinkerton side," said Colby emphatically. "I guarantee it. I'm sure of it. Pinkerton side, yep." Colby, a junior defensive back for the Astros, almost sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

DERRY | Manchester West had Pinkerton on the ropes and was set to deliver the knockout blow.

The Astros had already seen the Blue Knights punch in two quick scores, and Manchester West had a first down from the Pinkerton 4-yard line early in the second quarter.

Pinkerton might be 2-0, winners of 16 straight games and two-time defending state champions. But don't consider the Astros a favorite in their home opener tomorrow afternoon against Manchester West.

Pinkerton has had problems, namely an offense that fumbled the ball six times in the opener and a defense that bent to the point of near-defeat Friday night against an average Manchester Central squad.

MANCHESTER, N.H. | From afar, everything went as expected. Pinkerton Academy, now 2-0, won 30-21. It never trailed. And it controlled the clock and the game, rushing for 238 yards, almost from the start.

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.