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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 WHITE RIVER JUNCTION – It was during the Friday night football game’s third quarter and with the result no longer in serious doubt that the Hartford High student section sang along with the Backstreet Boys’ 1999 hit, “I Want It That Way” as it was pumped over the…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 HANOVER – The Dartmouth College football team’s best player might be an offensive guard. Jake Guidone is also the squad’s best quote and perhaps its friendliest person, which is saying something on a roster that always features some wonderful human beings. The senior from East Walpole, Mass., combines…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 HANOVER – Dartmouth College’s football coaching staff is comprised of gentlemen who generally don’t meet the “old school” typecast for their profession. It’s unusual to hear head man Buddy Teevens or his 12 assistants use profanity or angrily shout. Saturday was certainly an exception. Here was Cheston Blackshear,…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 HANOVER – Returning only four starters on a high school varsity soccer team can indicate a long season ahead. Particularly in the rugged confines of NHIAA Division I. With the Hanover boys program, however, rebuilding is a foreign concept and reloading is an annual affair. This year’s Marauders…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 LEBANON – Hartford High boys soccer coach Kevin Guillbault was frank Tuesday after his squad was thumped, 6-0, by Lebanon during its penultimate preseason scrimmage. “We’re laying the foundation for the future,” said the 10th-year bench boss, whose team returns only two starters (Nolan McMahon, Joey Beggs) after…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 HANOVER – Small clouds of smoke drifted over the Dartmouth College softball field at the base of Velvet Rocks on Sunday afternoon. First one, then another wafted past, carrying with them the smell of burning wood. Football coach Buddy Teevens, conducting his first practice session of the preseason…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics, 2021 Evan Nichols’ perspective was turned upside down in Lahti, Finland last February. Or at least sideways. The 17-year old Lyme resident was in Scandinavia with the U.S. junior national Nordic combined team. The Americans were competing in a sport that combines ski jumping and cross-country (or Nordic) skiing. …
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By Tris Wykes Copyright 2021 Octopus Athletics LEBANON – Lebanon High boys soccer coach Rob Johnstone was asked Saturday where this season’s team might rank among the 28 Raiders teams he’s guided thus far. “It’s a cliche answer, but 28th,” he said. “We haven’t done anything yet.” Oh, but it might. Lebanon returns eight players…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 HANOVER – Lebanon High boys soccer coach Rob Johnstone had an immediate and adamant message for his players following their 2-0 preseason scrimmage victory at arch-rival Hanover on Tuesday night. They were to create no social media posts or images of a gloating nature. “Don’t take the bait…
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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 HANOVER – Hanover High football appears back on solid ground. But can the Marauders use that perch as a stepping stone to reach another level? A trip to the 2018 NHIAA semifinals was followed by a winless season during which Hanover was not only beaten, but beaten up.…
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