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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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