DURHAM, N.H. – In just the second year back since the return of their varsity program, the Trinity Pioneers emerged on Sunday with their first state football championship since 2011, defeating the Lebanon Marauders in the NHIAA Division III State Football Championship Game, 28-21.
A 70-yard opening drive kickoff return from Trinity senior Dantre Taylor brought the Pioneers onto the doorstep of early points, but a failed field goal attempt by senior Liam McCoy meant Trinity would have to wait for their first score.
However, they wouldn’t have to wait long, thanks to a pickoff by Trinity senior Peter Alisandro on Lebanon’s first drive of the contest. On offense, Alisandro would orchestrate a five-play, 40-yard drive that concluded with his five-yard scurry into the end zone.
Trinity senior John Thibault added a 26-yard score and a two-point conversion on the Pioneers’ next drive to build the lead to 14-0, but Lebanon answered back with a 20-yard strike from senior John Willeman to senior Wade Rainey to cut the lead in half.
Not to be outdone, John’s younger brother and Trinity sophomore James Thibault earned a touchdown of his own on the subsequent drive off a three-yard run to put the Pioneers up by two scores at the half.
Coming into the second half, both teams traded scores once again, as Rainey ended an eight-play, 55-yard Lebanon drive with a one-yard run into the end zone, followed by a 68-yard run from John Thibault on Trinity’s first play back with the ball.
Lebanon answered one more time on the next drive, as senior Phillip Mellish’s two-yard run put the Maurauders back within a score, but a full comeback would not come. Lebanon’s best chance to knot things up ended with their 11-yard drive ended on a loss of downs, with Alisandro intercepting Willeman once again on the Marauders’ final possession.
Willeman ended with another interception and three completions on 10 attempts for 49 yards through the air for Lebanon, Alisandro went 2-for-4 passing with 42 yards on the day.
Trinity outgained Lebanon on the ground, 201 to 200 yards. Rainey led the way for Lebanon with 122 yards on 27 carries while John Thibault had 117 yards on 13 attempts.
