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SALEM, N.H. | Salem was left feeling blue last night, as well as out of the Division 1 playoffs, after three long second-half drives into the red zone came up empty.

Leading Manchester West 14-10 at halftime, Salem held the ball for nearly 16 minutes in the final two quarters and advanced on potential scoring drives of 46, 57 and 55 yards without anything to show for it in a heartbreaking 17-14 loss to the Blue Knights.

MANCHESTER | Salem's power rushing attack and stout defense proved to be difference makers as the Blue Devils topped Manchester Central, 27-14.

The win clinched a playoff berth for the Blue Devils, who if they lose to West next week, would still qualify on the tie-breaker.

If it's not some sort of national record, Nick Cavallo has to be mighty close.

"I actually kicked my first extra point for the (Salem) Rams when I was 7," said Cavallo, now 18 and a multiple threat for the Salem Blue Devil. "My dad got me started kicking when I was 4. That's when someone came up with the 'Nick the Kick' nickname."

SALEM, N.H. | The next time you hear someone say that a drenching rain is only good for ducks, you may want to offer a correction.

That's because it's also mighty fine for the Salem High football team as it proved last night in a monsoon of a downpour, washing previously unbeaten Nashua South down the drain, 55-20, in what was clearly a must-win game for the Blue Devils.

Whenever a play truly counted, Salem made it.

The Blue Devils stuffed Concord three times on fourth down and forced three turnovers, one crushing a last-second scoring drive at the Salem 12. And all the while the defense, nicknamed the "Wolfpack," was pounding away on every play.

WESTWOOD | Down 10-0 early in the second quarter and sinking fast, the Salem Blue Devils were desperate for a big play to swing the momentum in their favor. The play came in the form of a Shawn Stoodley fumble recovery on a Xaverian red-zone drive.

NASHUA | After the previous two weeks, no one could blame Salem's Chris Sousa for being extra happy.

"It's good to get this one out of the way," said the linebacker. "We needed a win to keep pace in Division 1 and to get above .500. We finally got that big win, and now we have to take a bigger step."

SALEM | Bobby Dattilo had just one thing on his mind. "I thought to myself, 'Just stay up,'" said the Pinkerton senior. "I just had to stay on my feet and keep running."

On a crucial third-and-3 from the Salem 47-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, Dattilo took a handoff up the middle and appeared to be stopped for a minimum gain by the staunch Blue Devils' defensive front.

SALEM | With a huge smile on his face and his eye-back dripping from his chin, Pinkerton defensive back Steve Eurieck could not contain his excitement.

"I saw the quarterback (Hal Landers) running around and I went to hit him," the senior said, still short of breath. "I missed and just said, 'Oh damn.' But then I looked back and saw we got the interception, so it worked out pretty well, now didn't it."

SALEM, N.H. | After Londonderry's surprising 31-14 victory over Salem last night, senior back Alex Theodosi claimed that he was only a little tired.

"Just some cramping at the end, that's about it," said Theodosi.