Marauders Host Exeter Thursday, and Start Their Haven Food Drive

The Marauders will host one of their best rivals Thursday when Exeter comes to town.  Hanover has only been playing the Blue Hawks in official Division One play for four years, but they have a friendly rivalry that goes further back.  The two teams boast the oldest, crustiest coaches in New Hampshire.  Coach Grabill began high school coaching in 1973, and coached his first game in New Hampshire two years later.  Exeter Coach Jim Tufts has been coaching Varsity Soccer and Ice Hockey continuously at Exeter for 38 years.  He's in at least two different Halls of Fame.  His teams play hard and fair, and are very welcome opponents.  Exeter, we'll remind you, was the last opposing team to set foot on the turf at Merriman-Branch Field.  The Hawks lost to Hanover 2-1 in the NHIAA Quarterfinals late last fall on goals by Jake Acker and Seth Stadheim, and they will be eager to return the favor.

The game will kick off at 6:30, and we are asking everyone who comes to the match to bring with them a non-perishable food item (tuna, peanut butter, soup, cereal) or a check for the Haven.  Every year we have worked all season to support the Haven's food pantry.  Just this morning I took the remnants of our food from yesterday's bus trip to Concord over to the Haven, and the gratitude with which this modest amount was received reminded me of what an impact we can have.  Please consider a generous food donation.  We'll be collecting at a table right near the Snack Shack, which will be open for business.

The Junior Varsity will host Exeter at 5:00 at the Rt. 5 fields in Norwich.  Players can either drive to the game, ride with parents, or take the practice bus which leaves HHS at 3:50.   They are responsible for getting themselves home after the game.  Reserves and Freshmen will train at 4:00 at Rt. 5, and take the same practice bus at 3:50.  Reserves and Freshmen should dress on the far sidelines closest to the Farmer's Market, and leave the benches in the middle alone for the JV players from Exeter and HHS.  There will be a return bus to HHS at 5:30.  (Just enough time to do your homework at the school and then stay for the Varsity game!