RallyNorth.net

They are akin to NASCAR drivers trapped behind the wheel of a '79 Olds Cutlass ...

World class jockeys forced to ride mules...

Naval aviators piloting single-engine Cessnas.

But heading into their senior seasons | with opening games less than a week away | Salem's Hal Landers, Pinkerton Academy's Peter Mazzola and Londonderry High's Craig Enos are right where they want to be, leading their respective clubs into what all three feel could be championship seasons.

2006 record: 8-4, lost in Division 1 finals

Returning starters (10): Hal Landers, Sr., QB/DB, 5-11, 165; Shane McMahon, Sr., RB, 5-9, 165; Kevin Sledge, Sr., RB, 6-0, 185; Jim Stewart, Sr., RB/ILB, 5-11, 215; Chris Sousa, Sr., TE/OLB, 5-9, 180; Tom Tetreault, Sr., OL, 5-8, 210; Ryan Stanton, Sr., DL, 6-0, 230; Jharid Pratt, Sr., ILB, 5-10, 190; Peter Allain, Sr., QB/DB, 5-9, 170

LONDONDERRY, N.H. | Salem coach Jack Gati may seem like a low-key, rather reserved coach, but he can be vocal, and he can fire up a team when needed.

Trailing 17-0 at halftime before more than 2,500 fans at Londonderry last night, Gati did just that, and the unbeaten Blue Devils (3-0) responded in a big way, scoring three straight touchdowns in the third quarter on their way to a rousing 34-24 victory.

DERRY | All season long, the recipe for Pinkerton's success has been to score early and often, and then watch its opponents struggle to play catch-up.

The Astros once again executed that strategy en route to a dominating 27-7 victory over Salem in the Division 1 state championship yesterday before a crowd of about 3,000 fans. It is the second consecutive state crown for the Astros, who also finished their remarkable season with a perfect 12-0 record.