The first NHIAA football playoff victory in the history of Merrimack Valley High School came at the expense of Hanover High on Friday as the third-seeded Pride eliminated the sixth-seeded Bears in the Division II quarterfinals, 28-14.
Merrimack Valley senior running back Nate Wallace and junior back Jubal Tubbs each ran for two touchdowns in downpour conditions. There wasn’t much Hanover could do to stop the Pride’s run game, as Merrimack Valley chewed up the clock with its first two drives and controlled the pace of play from start to finish.
Senior quarterback EJ Frechette looks to pass short as the rain came down harder in the second quarter of Hanover’s quarterfinal against Merrimack Valley. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Concord Monitor 
Sophomore running back Axel Voydik (35) rushes for a 16-yard touchdown against Merrimack Valley to cut the score down to 13-7 after kicker Dima Petrov made the extra point. 
Hanover sophomore Axel Voydik caught a pass from quarterback EJ Frechette and found the sideline for a 44-yard completion on the Bears’ scoring drive in the first half against Merrimack Valley.
The Pride built a 13-0 lead and never led by less than a touchdown. Hanover’s Alex Voydik cut into the early deficit on a 16-yard touchdown run, contributing 74 yards (30 rushing, 44 receiving) on the drive that led to the score.
The Bears’ season ended at 5-5.