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NASHUA — For Timberlane, it was a genuine shot at redemption when it mattered most, in the Division 2 playoff semifinals.

Hopes of erasing a nine-game losing streak to Bishop Guertin rose when Shawn Grenier separated a Cardinal return man from the ball on the opening kickoff, recovered by the visitors at the 31-yard line leading to a game-opening touchdown.

PLAISTOW — The good news is this one didn't mean anything for the playoffs and Timberlane rested several key players.

The bad news is Dover whipped the Owls, 56-21.

"We had some guys out who had been banged up," said Owls coach Kevin Fitzgerald, whose club lost to Spaulding, 45-8, last week. "Obviously, we'd like to have been playing better heading into the playoffs. Both teams played a lot of JVs in the second half."

PLAISTOW — Timberlane beat Keene in a 24-21 thriller as Jake Burke booted a 27-yard field goal with seven seconds left.

Senior defensive back Sean Clemens shared hero status with Burke as the hustling long snapper recovered a fumbled punt on the Timberlane 48 with 1:10 left. On the first play from scrimmage Evan Bidgood found Efrain Rolon for a 43-yard connection and then Burke calmly delivered his second field goal of the season.

HAMPTON, N.H. — With Timberlane in need of a hero, Dan McLinden was up to the task.

After recovering an on-sides kick, Winnacunnet drove the ball to the Owls 25-yard line in the final minute of the game.

See highlights and video interviews from Salem football's victory over Timberlane.

PLAISTOW — Even Jerickson Fedrick’s teammates weren’t sure if the senior was ready to play following his injury a week ago — right up until his second carry.

“I thought he would just play a few plays and out,” said Kevin Dembkoski. “But when he popped that first big run, I knew he was just fine. That shocked me.”

MERRIMACK — Timberlane posted its first shutout in 19 games and Josh David ran for a pair of touchdowns as the Owls defeated Division II rival Merrimack 24-0 last night.

The Owls (2-2 in division play, 3-2 overall) allowed the Tomahawks an average of 1.9 yards on 42 rushing attempts and 2.1 yards on 46 offensive snaps. It was the first whitewashing since a 7-0 victory at Keene on Oct. 3, 2009.

PLAISTOW — Timberlane was playing without a full deck last night and it showed, particularly in the first half. With star quarterback Evan Bidgood missing after having his appendix removed within the previous 24 hours, and with both starting tackles out with injuries, the Owls looked disorganized and sloppy (five fumbles, two of which led to Alvirne TDs) while falling behind 21-7. After some halftime shuffling, Timberlane went to its ace, Josh David and, after falling behind 28-27, rallied dramatically only to fall heartbreakingly short, 28-27. “We made a lot of mistakes and dug ourselves too big of a hole,” said Timberlane coach Kevin Fitzgerald. “I give the kids credit for making a great comeback, but we just gave the ball away too many times (10 overall).” One of two bad snaps on punting plays led to the first Alvirne touchdown, from the 4-yard-line, and a fumble on the 11-yard-line led to the third Bronco TD. With Bidgood out, running back Josh David was inserted at quarterback and, with little blocking up front, it was not a recipe for moving the ball.. The Owls gained only 27 yards in the first two quarters and scored their lone TD on a 94-yard kickoff return by Ryan McCarthy. In the second half, however, sophomore Erik Nelson came in at quarterback and Josh David was moved to his normal running back spot. The switch worked wonders. After spotting the Broncos a three-TD lead, the final Alvirne score coming after another fumble recovery, the Owls roared back. Josh David scored from 11 yards out to complkete a 58-yard drie, making it 28-14, and four plays after a Connor Sproul interception, ran it in from 17 yards, making it 28-21. Two minutes later, David took a punt deep, fumbled it briefly and then returned it 89 yards for yet another score. But a bad snap foiled the extra-point try, leaving the Owls one point short. Timberlane had the ball three more times but, despite the best efforts of David, could not score again, foiled by a pair of fumbles and a missed 40-yard field goal try on the last play of the game.  

PLAISTOW – Timberlane took advantage of a couple early Manchester West turnovers then ran away from the Blue Knights after intermission as the Owls cruised to an easy 48-14 victory last night.

　NASHUA — Bishop Guertin High School stood in the way of Timberlane Regional and a reservation in the upper echelon of Division 2 New Hampshire football.

Timberlane's plans will have to wait. Guertin, not looking for any kind of company whatsoever, laid a defensive lesson on the Owls last night, accelerating away for a 27-6 decision before about 500 fans at sparkling Stellos Stadium.