MANCHESTER, N.H. - Hanover football went to Manchester West on Friday night riding a three-game winning streak, with a better playoff seed within reach. West made sure the Bears went home with neither.
West beat Hanover 20-7 on its home field in the regular-season finale. The hosts led 14-7 after three quarters and added six more points in the fourth to put it away.
The loss ended a strong October run. Hanover had won three straight, starting with a 20-3 win at John Stark on Oct. 10, then edging Kingswood 9-6 on the road and rolling past Hollis Brookline 42-8 on senior night, its highest point total of the fall.
Defense carried the Bears for much of that stretch. Before Friday, Hanover had allowed 17 points combined over three games, and no opponent had scored more than 22 against the Bears all season.
Hanover finishes the regular season 5-4 overall and 3-2 in its division. The Bears opened 0-2 with losses to Plymouth and Milford, then won five of their next six games before Friday. West has won six of its last seven games on its home field.
Now the Bears wait. A win would likely have meant a top-four seed and a home playoff game; with the loss, Hanover could slide as low as sixth. The playoffs begin the weekend of Nov. 6-7.
Other relevant play on Friday, October 30:
Milford 7 at Pelham 38 Pelham, which Hanover edged 12-7 on Sept. 18, rolled past Milford, which beat the Bears 7-0 on Sept. 11.
Souhegan 35 at Hollis Brookline 13 Souhegan, which beat Hanover 18-13 on Oct. 2, won on the road at Hollis Brookline, the team the Bears beat 42-8 a week ago.
Kingswood 13 at Kennett 12 Kingswood, which Hanover edged 9-6 on Oct. 16, won by a point.
Plymouth 36 at St. Thomas 13 Plymouth, which beat Hanover 18-11 in the season opener, rolled on the road.
That wraps up the day for Hanover High School sports. We’ll see you next time!