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Pelham Girls Lacrosse Preview

2007 record: 0-13, did not make state tourney

Returners (10): Alicia Beauregard, Sr., midfield; Katie Bourque, Sr., midfield; Heather Hilbert, Sr., defense; Christine Downs, Jr., defense Yvonne Figueiredo, Sr., center; Becca Mastropiero, Sr., defense; Caitlin Morgan, Sr., forward; Jen Stanton, Sr., forward; Kellie Chadwick, Jr., forward; Cassandra Costello, Jr., defense

Pelham Softball Preview

2007 record: 4-16, didn't make Class I tourney

Returning starters (2): Jennifer Gray, Sr., 2B; April Blinn, Jr., C/CF

Returning lettermen: Jess Fanaras, Sr., 3B; Alie Peterson, Sr., C; Tina Baird, Jr., OF/INF; Cassie Flanders, Soph., P/3B; Amanda Levesque, Soph., P/1B; Kayla Bailey, Jr., P/OF

Pelham Boys Lacrosse Preview

2007 record: 4-11, didn't make Division 3 tourney

Returning starters (9): Mike Woonton, Jr., attack; Dan Trainor, Sr., long stick/defense; Billy Sullivan, Sr., midfield;  Andrew Keegan, Jr., goalie; Sean Paradis, Jr., attack; C.J. Ziogas, Jr., midfield; Josh Fisette, Soph, attack; R.J. Riddinger, Jr., defense; Chris Gagne, Soph., long stick midfield

Red-hot Hanover ousts Pelham again

DURHAM, N.H. | High school teams that shoot 59 percent from the floor, including a jaw-dropping 8 of 11 from 3-point land, don't lose often.

The No. 5 Pelham High boys absorbed that painful lesson, falling to a sizzling, fourth-seeded Hanover squad, 71-60, last night in the Class I quarterfinals.

Hojlo, Pelham mean business, roll over Kearsarge

Todd Kress may be greedy, but at least he is honest.

"We're going to need him to do that three more times," said the Pelham coach.

Kress' junior sensation Justin Hojlo had just delivered a Class I first-round playoff masterpiece, leading the Pythons over Kearsarge, 65-44.

Pelham's Hojlo surpasses 1,000-point barrier

It takes a special player to achieve a milestone. Hard work and talent can go a long way. Justin Hojlo took that talent to a milestone that Pelham High has only seen seven times previously.

One thousand career points. The impressive part is that he is only a junior.

It's all in the family at Pelham

There may be no family that believes that those who play together stay together more than the Riddingers of Pelham. Head wrestling coach Bob Riddinger, 45, has been coaching his two sons, juniors R.J. and Mark, for as long as he can remember, not only in wrestling, but youth hockey and baseball.

Dan Gionet tournament

Whittier showed its best depth of the season and came away with the title at the 10-team Dan Gionet tournament in Pelham. The Wildcats didn't crown one champion, but they had eight placers, led by runners-up Garret Gadd (125) and Corey Chabuz (heavyweight).

Pelham shocks Kearsarge

Brittany Croteau and Briana Szidat each hit for 16 points as Pelham (2-8 Class I) stunned Kearsarge (5-4), 41-40. Szidat also led a tremendous defensive effort which forced a turnover on Kearsarge's final possession. Jacqui Perry had a big game on the boards for the winners.

Pelham loss ends home win streak

A shot at the buzzer did not fall through, and Pelham lost to Portsmouth 54-53, snapping its 37-game home winning streak that began in 2004. Ricky Costa scored 19 points while Justin Hojlo had 14 for the Pythons.

Haverhill, Timberlane roll

In consolation games, Haverhill outlasted Pelham 44-25 and Timberlane stifled Alvirne 44-30 despite missing standout University of Maine recruit Sam Wheeler, who was out sick.

Haverhill pulled away from Pelham with a 10-2 advantage in the third quarter behind leading scorer and all-tourney pick Michelle Stanley, who scored 10 of her 13 points in the second half. Melissa Ganem had seven points and was tough on the boards for the Hillies (3-4).

Maturing Owls back on top at Lowell

Heavyweight Brian Nicoll put an exclamation point on an impressive statement made by the Timberlane wrestling team yesterday at the 54-team Lowell Holiday Tournament.

The Owls, who finished second last year by a point and a half, came back with a vengence to claim their third team crown in four years with 241 points, comfortably ahead of runners-up Concord, N.H., and Winchester, who tied with 210. Pinkerton (120) was sixth, Central Catholic (111) came in eighth and Salem, N.H. (102<1/2>) tied for 10th.

Owls roll

Timberlane began the day with an easy 57-28 victory over Pelham in the first of two consolation games.

Ahead 16-6 after the first quarter, the Owls (2-4) put the game away with a 26-point second quarter. Sam Wheeler led all scorers with 19 points in limited action and sophomore Tianna Parolisi added 10 points. Shannon Rose and Katie Mattatall had six points apiece.

Pelham Wrestling preview

2006-07 record: 13-9

Returning starters (7): Billy Sullivan, Sr., 135; Rob LaRose, Sr., 215; Jake Corbin, Sr., 189; Mark Riddinger, Jr., 140; R.J. Riddinger, Jr., 145; Roger Allen, Jr., 119; Mike Perruccio, Soph., 112

Pelham Boys Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 16-7, lost in Class I quarterfinals

Returning starters (2): Ricky Costa, 5-11, Sr., guard; Justin Hojlo, 5-10, Jr., guard

Returning lettermen: Jamie Vaiknoras, 6-1, Sr., forward; Craig Moreau, 5-11, Sr., guard; Brady Tryon, 5-7, Sr., guard; Danny Trainor, 5-11, Sr., forward; Evan Cove, 5-11, Sr., forward; Grant Hebert, 6-2, Jr., forward

Pelham Girls Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 12-10, lost in Class I first round

Returning starters (1): Briana Szidat, 6-3, Jr., center

Returning lettermen: Leslie McCabe, 5-4, Sr., guard; Caitlin Morgan, 5-8, Sr., forward; Katie Bourque, 5-5, Sr., guard; April Blinn, 5-5, Jr., guard; Jacqui Perry, 5-10, Soph., forward

Pelham makes history

PELHAM, N.H. | For all its explosiveness and flash, the 2007 Pelham High football team will meander into the history books forever thanks to 48 minutes of plain old, nasty, gritty, helmet-smacking defense.

Babaian sculpted champion program the hard way

PELHAM | Tom Babaian wasn't around for Pelham High's "Powder Blue" varsity football premiere way back on Labor Day weekend in 1993 | a 36-0 loss at Kennett Regional in which the first-year Pythons couldn't muster a single first down.

Pelham super-fan still searching for missing “Reebok pump”

Courageous, bordering on crazy.

How else could you describe Pelham High senior Jamie Vaiknoras picking up the school’s flag and doing a victory lap on the Harris Track | right through the Gilford sideline | as time wound down in the Pythons’ 21-7 state championship win?

Bruce Almighty

Fourth-and-goal from the one-foot line, championship hanging in the balance. The linebacker reads the play, attacks the hole, soars through the air, meets the halfback head-to-head and drives him back for no gain.

Pelham rolls past Bow

PELHAM, N.H. | Sluggish and apprehensive just weren't getting it done.

Top-seeded and unbeaten Pelham High was watching what many thought was a formality of a Division 5 semifinal turn into a competition right before its eyes.

Defense delivers as Pelham wins 'Battle for No. 1'

PELHAM, N.H. | The Gilford Eagles gave Bruce Vieira

reverence fitting only the Almighty. Hushed voices from the Gilford sideline could be heard saying, "There He goes," and "Watch him, He's going out."

Roth, Pelham hyped for Gilford showdown tonight

Heading into the biggest weekend of the regular season at a perfect 8-0, they are pounding the opposition by 39.6 points a game.

No, we're not talking about the New England Patriots. Their winning margin is a mere 25.5 points a game.

Pelham rolls past Newport

Bruce Vieira gained 163 yards and scored a second-quarter touchdown, leading undefeated (8-0) Pelham to a 28-12 win, at Newport.

Cameron Robidoux opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 2-yard run. In the third quarter, Joe DeAngelo added a 5-yard run and Mike Lombard concluded the scoring with a 15-yard interception return in the fourth. The Pythons return home Friday for a 7 p.m. meeting with Gilford.

Pythons shut out Tigers

Pelham junior Bruce Vieira found the end zone five times, helping Pelham pound Farmington 58-0 in a game that was postponed twice over the weekend due to rain and field conditions.

Vieira's first touchdown was a 43-yard punt return that was nearly called back when an unsportsmanlike conduct flag was thrown against one of his blockers. Fortunately for Vieira and the Pythons, a Farmington player retaliated and the penalties negated one another.

Double Duty: Pelham's Trainor working overtime this fall

An honors student, Dan Trainor is more than capable of doing the math.

"Unless we win out, we're not going to make the tournament," said the senior captain of the Pelham boys soccer team. But that does not mean that Trainor is not going to get a taste of the postseason this fall. Take the helmet and shoulder pads off the masked man doing the kicking chores for the hottest team in Division 5, the Pelham Pythons, and you'll uncover the same guy who has been a four-year fixture on the soccer field for Pelham.

Small field leads to big blowout for Pelham

This game almost could have been played on an arena football-sized field.

Pelham's defense and special teams were so dominant, Epping couldn't get out of its own end of the field. Of 52 offensive plays run by the Pythons, only eight started on their own side of the 50-yard-line. Add in five Epping turnovers and the rout was on as Pelham (now 6-0) made the Blue Devils (2-4) even bluer, 55-13.

New band teacher brings fresh energy

PELHAM | This year, Pelham's band is getting some fresh energy and direction from the new band teacher, Jay Chandler. Chandler hopes to have 100 students playing in the band within the next three years.

Looking to Repeat

Pelham's cheerleading team thinks it has a shot at another state title this year. The young squad is dominated by sophomores and juniors; and although the girls may be short on experience, they come up big in the talent department, their coach says.

Trainor shines in Pelham loss

Brianna Trainor made 16 saves, but Pelham fell to Kearsarge 4-0. Jen Gray played well in defense for the Pythons (0-8).

Trainor stars in Pelham loss

Dan Trainor had a goal and an assist, but Pelham fell to Kearsarge 3-2. Ryan Ormsby made 15 saves, and Ricky Costa also struck for the Pythons (1-6-2).

Pelham facing Division 5 powerhouse

Bishop Brady of Concord owns the impressive resume and all the accompanying Division 5 football hardware.

Pelham High remains the hunter.

But that fact does little to deter the confidence of Python coach Tom Babaian.

Vieira (6 TDs) runs wild as Pelham remains unbeaten

PELHAM, N.H. | Talk on the Newfound sideline revolved solely on stopping Pelham junior Bruce Vieira.

Talking about it, though, is considerably easier than doing it.

Vieira went over, around and through the Bears for an astonishing six touchdowns and 250 yards in a 47-0 shutout. Winless Newfound showered him with attention, but to no avail.

Pelham overwhelms Franklin

FRANKLIN | It was never much of a contest as Pelham blanked Franklin, 48-0 yesterday. The victorious Pythons (3-0) used a plethora of running backs en route to the decisive win in New Hampshire Division 5 action.

Pelham cruises past Bow

BOW | Tyler Gannt scored twice and Bruce Vieira rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown of his own in Pelham's 33-14 rout of Bow.

Vieira and Gannt each scored in the second quarter to send the Pythons on their way to their second victory in as many games.

Molly Smith has hat trick against Bedford

Molly Smith notched a hat trick as Pelham cruised by Bedford 6-0. Kellie Chadwick, Jen Stanton, and Devon Lamoureux also scored for the Pythons.

Bedford wins big

Brianna Trainor led a strong defensive outing with 17 saves during Pelham's 5-0 loss to Bedford.

Pelham Field Hockey Preview

2006 record: 2-10-2, didn't qualify for Class I tourney

Returning starters (6): Christine Maconi, Sr., defense; Alicia Beauregard, Sr., forward; Katie Bourque, Sr., midfield; Emily Koehler, Jr., midfield; Gina Guimond, Jr., midfield; Molly Smith, Soph., forward

Pelham Boys Soccer Preview

2006 record: 1-15, didn't qualify for Class I tourney

Returning starters (8): Ricky Costa, Sr., forward; Danny Trainor, Sr., midfield; Billy Sullivan, Sr., defense; Dave Pereira, Sr., midfield; E.J. Baker, Jr., midfield; Ryan Ormsby, Jr., goalie; James Maguire, Jr. defense; C.J. Ziogas, Jr., defense

Pelham Girls Soccer Preview

2006 record: 2-14, didn't make Class I tourney

Returning starters (6): Jen Gray, Sr., sweeper; April Blinn, Jr., midfielder; Page Maloney, Jr., forward; Tina Baird, Jr., midfielder; Janelle Gordon, Soph., defender; Alex McKinney, Soph., Forward;

Pelham Pummels Winnisquam

PELHAM | The Pelham football team can take solace in that Tom Babaian's game grades do not factor into their cumulative GPA's. If they did, the Pelham High School honor roll might become a very exclusive club.

Timberlane, Pelham ready to run

Sometimes, athletes are forced to grow up quicker than they might like.

Such is life with both the Timberlane Regional and Pelham High football teams.

At Pelham, a talented senior class, which anchored a pair of playoff trips and one appearance in the Division 5 title game, has moved on. That leaves the pressure squarely on the shoulders of junior halfback Bruce Vieira.

Pelham football preview

2006 record: 7-3, lost in Division 5 semifinals

Returning starters (7): Dave Wesson, Jr., OL/DL, 5-11, 195; Wayne Parisi, Jr., TE/LB, 6-1, 200; Max Roth, Sr., OL/LB, 6-0, 195; Jim Mostone, Sr., OL/LB, 5-11, 170; Bruce Vieira, Jr., RB/DB, 5-8, 175; Connor McColgan, Soph., FB/LB, 6-0, 190; Bill Helliwell, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 260

Mostone picks it up at Pelham

James Mostone doesn't concern himself with the lack of senior class teammates.

He embraces the fact that part of his job description is mentor to young Pelham teammates.

And even the mounting losses haven't been able to get him down.