Derryfield School coach Chris Hettler is doused by his players after the Cougars won the NHIAA Division 2 title. (Courtesy photo)
There is this weird annual curse that plagues the two top contenders in NHIAA Division 2.
Whichever team wins the regular-season matchup between Portsmouth and Derryfield School ends up losing the rematch in the playoffs and watches its counterpart claim a state championship.
This curse persists to this very day, with Portsmouth vanquishing Derryfield in the regular season, 7-6, and Derryfield getting its revenge when the two teams met in the D-2 semifinals, 10-7 win.
Derryfield didn't stop there. It was also able to avenge a one-goal regular-season loss to Winnacunnet with a one-goal victory in the state championship, 8-7. Garrett Lande's feed to Emerson Stover set up the game-winning goal with 14 seconds left.
