Scrimmage standouts: Concord/Exeter/Merrimack

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Concord, Exeter and Merrimack participated in their final preseason scrimmage before each opens the season on Sept. 4. Offense dominated the three-team scrimmage, and here are five players who stood out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2347927,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90eb6ada851"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Craigue (top photo) was perhaps the youngest starting quarterback in New Engalnd last season (he was 14 when the season began), but he looked mature as he directed the Concord offense in the scrimmage. He has extremely quick feet and is a three-sport athlete who also plays hockey and baseball. He showed good accuracy in Concord's passing game, but is also a threat to run on any play. His 2025 season came to a premature end when he suffered a broken collarbone in a playoff game against Windham, but he's poised to have a big 2026 season if he remains healthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2347934,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90eb6ada8e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Torres is a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and lacrosse) and will enter the 2026 season as one of the most underrated quarterbacks in New England. He's a pocket passer with exceptional accuracy -- especially on deep balls. Torres passed for 1,437 yards and 12 touchdowns during his junior season, and, since he's surrounded by some talented receivers, it shouldn't come as a surprise if he surpasses those numbers this season. He's the engine that will drive the Merrimack offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2347950,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90eb6ada95d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Exeter runs the Straight-T offense, so the Blue Hawks don't put the ball in the air often. When they do choose to throw, however, they typically come up with a long gain a high percentage of the time. Barrett, a junior, looks like he'll be the team's leading receiver this season based on his three touchdown receptions in Exeter's two scrimmages. He also performed well at defensive end in both scrimmages. He's one of many talented lacrosse players on the Exeter roster, and was an All-State selection in lacrosse (defense) as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2059809"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90eb6ada9cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Savard is one of 20 players named to the 2026 Yukica Player of the Year Watch List. He led Division I with 1, 389 rushing yards last season, when he also scored 19 touchdowns. He's an inside/outside runner who didn't get a heavy workload in the scrimmage, but he did have several runs where he picked up big chunks of yardage. Concord returned three starters on its offensive line and another lineman who received significant playing time last season, so Savard and the Crimson Tide running game figures to make life tough on opponents this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2347966,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90eb6adaa2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In many ways Ream is the perfect fit for Exeter's run-heavy offense. He has the speed and athletic ability to get to the outside and turn the corner, but also throws the ball well enough to make defenses pay when they don't respect the passing game. Ream, who led Exeter to the Division I playoffs as junior, did not play in Exeter's first scrimmage, but his dual-threat ability will make the Blue Hawks though defend. He tossed a TD pass in the scrimmage and also picked up big yards on a sweep around left end that set up another TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->