Pinkerton-Londonderry will showcase college talent

The annual matchup between Pinkerton Academy and Londonderry is one of the top rivalries in New Hampshire. It also features two of the top high school football programs not just in the state, but in New England. At least one of the teams is typically a realistic threat to win the Division I championship each year. Pinkerton leads the series 38-16-0, and enters Friday night's game with a 2-1 record in Division I Central. Londonderry is 3-0, and the only unbeaten team in the conference. The Lancers are ranked third in the New Hampshire Football Report Top 10, and Pinkerton is No. 4. Although Londonderry receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2103999' first='Devin' last='Van Avery'] won't play Friday because of a broken collarbone, there are still several uncommitted college-level players on each roster. Here are six of those players:    Rao may be best suited to play wide receiver at the next level, but he is also one of the best defensive backs in the state. (50 tackles and four interceptions as a junior). He is athletic and versatile. After catching 17 passes for 415 yards and six touchdowns last season, he was moved to quarterback during the preseason before he settled in as a halfback in Pinkerton's Wing-T offense. Rao began his career at Londonderry, but transferred after his sophomore season. Jackson Rao, Noah's younger brother, still plays for Londonderry, and is among New Hampshire's top players in the Class of 2029.      Leeper returned to Londonderry for his senior season after playing at Phillips Andover Academy. He's a two-way lineman who can play anywhere along the offensive line. His strength is obvious when you watch him play, and once he engages with an opponent he usually wins the battle. Brown, Georgetown and New Hampshire are among the schools that have shown interest. Although listed at 6-foot-3, Leeper may be closer to 6-foot-4.      Ingraham provides many of the attributes colleges are looking for in a high school lineman. He's tall, lean and athletic. He was a member of the Pinkerton Academy basketball team that won the 2025 Division I championship, moves extremely well when pulling or pass blocking, and displays good strength on contact. Ingraham also has a frame that will allow him to put on good weight in college. Pinkerton uses him at left tackle on offense. He played at 245 pounds last season, but is up to 260 this year.      Mbuyi performed well at the Best of New England Showcase last summer, and followed that up by running the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at the New Hampshire Showcase at Saint Anselm College. His 40 was the second-fastest time at the event. Mbuyi is twitchy and explosive at the snap, which often allows him to disrupt plays before they develop. He batted down six passes and recorded three sacks during a Week 2 victory over Windham. Maine, Stonehill and New Hampshire are among the schools that have shown interest.      Spellman is among the best two-way players in the state, and his athleticism will allow him to play on either side of the ball in college. He has a solid build and plenty of speed, which becomes clear once he turns the corner or finds space at the second level. He put up good numbers as a junior (684 yards rushing/120 yards receiving/42 tackles) and is off to a strong start this year. He has run for 441 yards and six touchdowns in two games since being held to 82 yards on the ground in a season-opening loss to Salem. He is also a standout basketball player for the Astros.      Mahlatini is the lone junior on this list. He's long -- Mahlatini has an 85.5-inch wingspan -- but moves well for his size. Although he started as a sophomore, he's still developing and will likely be one of the most dominant linemen in New Hampshire next season. He also comes from a program that has developed several Division I linemen in recent years. The Lancers also use Mahlatini as a defensive tackle, and it's still unclear which side of the ball he will be better suited to play in college.

The annual matchup between Pinkerton Academy and Londonderry is one of the top rivalries in New Hampshire. It also features two of the top high school football programs not just in the state, but in New England. At least one of the teams is typically a realistic threat to win the Division I championship each year. Pinkerton leads the series 38-16-0, and enters Friday night's game with a 2-1 record in Division I Central. Londonderry is 3-0, and the only unbeaten team in the conference. The Lancers are ranked third in the New Hampshire Football Report Top 10, and Pinkerton is No. 4. Although Londonderry receiver Devin Van Avery Devin Van Avery 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR/DB Londonderry | 2027 State New E won't play Friday because of a broken collarbone, there are still several uncommitted college-level players on each roster. Here are six of those players: