By Ryan O'Connor
Staff Writer

Goffstown head football coach Rob Cathcart had a few heated comments for his club back in the 2004 preseason at the Queen City Jamboree. Goffstown’s most recent gridiron campaign was a tremendous success. Under Cathcart, the Grizzlies advanced to the Division III playoffs with a seven-win season. Next fall, GHS is set to make the jump to D-II. (File Photo)

Two years ago the Goffstown football team was almost eliminated from existence. Now the program prepares to take a big step in the world of high school football.

At the start of the 2006 season, the Grizzlies will move from Division III to Division II, a change that marks a peak in the program’s rollercoaster ride.

“It’s a good time for us to move up. A couple years ago we may have struggled, but the team is ready now,” said head coach Rob Cathcart. “We are going to compete at any level.”

Beginning gridiron play in 2001, the players and coaches took their lumps in developing a successful program. But in 2005, their fourth year, they made a giant leap, going 7-2 in the regular season and making their first playoff appearance. Although they lost to defending champion Souhegan in the semifinals, 46-14, the players relished the season’s success.

Only two years ago, the town budget committee voted against allocating $26,000 in funds to support the football team.

Luckily, due to strong public support, the committee later amended its recommendation, and Goffstown football was readded to the school budget.

Having survived, the team eagerly awaits the new challenges in Division II.

“I think that the kids make a bigger deal of it than it is,” said Cathcart. “We’ll be fine. If you look at the top of Division III, you’ve got Plymouth and Souhegan, and Division II is pretty similar with Exeter and Bishop Guertin at the top.”

While the top of the respective divisions may be similar, Cathcart said it is the other teams in the league that may bring the greatest challenge.

“The main difference is at the bottom of Division III you had teams struggling for wins, while in Division II all of the teams are fighting for wins and those other two playoff spots,” he said.

Bishop Guertin head coach Tony Johnson agreed with Cathcart’s assessment of Division II, but added that town support and grooming football players – as early as when they are in the peewee leagues, is equally important.

“When a town commits to your team, the students feel it, the parents feel it. It really makes kids want to play for your team when you go around the town and you see team calendars and banners and stuff like that,” he said. “Rob is experienced. He started this thing from a grassroots campaign, putting together a system that everyone can work.”

Johnson knows a little something about the competitive nature of the league considering his Cardinals completed their second straight undefeated season in D-II by beating Exeter for the championship on Nov. 19.

He also said that having Howard Sobolov as athletics director and assistant coach creates a big advantage for the Grizzlies’ chances at being competitive early. Sobolov previously coached D-II Alvirne, and Johnson said that knowing the coaches and the schemes of many of the teams will put Goffstown a step ahead.

Sobolov, however, knows Division II is a much more physical league.

“We are going to need to be bigger and stronger to meet that challenge,” he said. “The first step in that challenge is hitting the weight room.”

Despite the numerous obstacles that await, Cathcart feels his team is prepared.

“I think we’ve arrived at the point where we’re gonna be competitive whether it’s Division II or III,” he said. “When you play Goffstown you’re going to have a challenge."