A loud bus, many different conversations going on all at once. Grizzly players hurried onto the bus for the long drive, but it went by quickly for the players who were filled with anticipation. On the drive there, Coach Hammond is reading an article about how the Grizzlies won’t proceed to the championship. The bus stops at Winnacunnet High School. The boys quickly hurry out of the bus, excited to play in the playoffs after an unfortunate and rocky season. One by one, the waves of maroon flood onto the field. It’s game time. After stretching and warming up, it’s time for kickoff. The sideline roars with pride.

On November 5th, the Goffstown Grizzlies faced Winnacunnet in the first round of playoffs. The game was an away game for the Grizzlies. Winnacunnet had home field advantage. The 7 p.m. game promised to be an opportunity for redemption after the Grizzlies loss to them a few weeks prior. On the first drives, the Grizzlies had a lead 7-0. This would be the last time they were ahead. Star player Peyton Stickland was hurt in the first quarter of play. It was a big blow.

By halftime it was very cold. Camden Coutu, a freshman lineman playing on varsity had this to say about what the feel of the locker room was at halftime, “It was very cold and everyone was trying to get pumped up for the rest of the game. We were doing good.” They went back out of the locker room at halftime and charged onto the field. The boys needed to put something together. The game was closing, and the Grizzlies were behind.

The sideline is loud and flowing with life as the Grizzlies march down the field. Earlier in the game with 1:44 left in the first quarter, when Grizzlies star WR/TE Peyton Strickland was hurt the sideline was quiet, all players worried about the health of their friend. Peyton did not return to the game. The Grizzlies struggled to find the end zone after Peyton’s injury. They managed to score, but it was too little too late.

The Grizzlies put up a good fight, but couldn’t close the game out; the final score being 14-20. According to Will Carlson, a junior at Goffstown Highschool, the feeling after the game was not one of sadness. “After the game was much different than I had thought. There were not as many negative emotions as expected. The team took pictures with their family and with the coaches. The seniors took it really well. They were somewhat upset but did not let it show. The coaches were really proud of the team even though we lost. With the season over, there is not much activity for the team until our banquet on the 12th of December. Overall, it was a great season and the seniors who are moving on will leave a lasting impact on the team.”