By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
Fall Mountain (0-2) at Lebanon (0-1): Friday at 7 p.m.
Both teams are seeking their first victory, but they enter the game under different circumstances. After playing at the JV level last season, Lebanon fell 40-0 to Monadnock in its return to varsity play. Fall Mountain is coming off a close loss to Kearsarge and is eager to return to the win column after last season’s 5-4 campaign. Look for Finnegan Brodeur and Tanner Michaud to have big games again this week for Fall Mountain.
Predicted winner: Fall Mountain
Stevens (1-1) at Kearsarge (1-1): Saturday at 1 p.m.
Both teams enter the game at 1-1 after earning victories over Fall Mountain. Stevens clobbered Fall Mountain in week one, while Kearsarge held on for a 13-8 victory over the Wildcats last week. If Kearsarge hopes to remain competitive in this contest, they will likely need to score more than the 10 points per game they are averaging this season.
Predicted winner: Stevens
Newport (1-0) at Monadnock (2-0): Friday at 6:30 p.m.
As the only remaining undefeated teams in Division 3 – West, this game could have a significant bearing on who wins the west division. Newport earned an important 16-0 victory over a solid Stevens team to open the season, while Monadnock followed up a big win over Somersworth with a 40-0 shellacking of Lebanon. This game could go either way when these teams meet in Swanzey.
Predicted winner: Monadnock
Mt. Mansfield (0-3) at Bellows Falls (2-1): Saturday at 3 p.m.
After back-to-back dominant performances against U-32 and North Country, Bellows Falls appears to be clicking on all cylinders. Mt. Mansfield is off to a tough start to the season, including a 50-6 loss against the Terriers week one opponent, Lyndon. Look for Carson Clark, Patrick Connors, Jaden Bazin, and Eli Allbee to run wild this weekend at Hadley Field.
Predicted winner: Bellows Falls
Mill River (1-2) at Springfield (2-1): Saturday at 7 p.m.
Springfield had a setback in its 40-8 loss to Woodstock, but with wins over Windsor and Missisquoi, the Cosmos are still one of the top teams in Division 3. Mill River’s shutout victory over Windsor last week indicates they should give the Cosmos a good game when they meet on Saturday night.
Predicted winner: Mill River
Windsor (0-3) at North Country (0-3): Friday at 7 p.m.
Two defending state champions will be squaring-off just south of the Canadian border when Windsor travels to North Country on Friday night. Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season after graduating strong senior classes. Windsor will need to find a way to slow down Falcons standout QB/WR Hayden Boivin if they hope to return home victorious.
Predicted winner: North Country
