The Londonderry High School football team closed out its regular season on a high note Friday night, overcoming an early 12-point deficit to earn a 21-12 victory over Concord and finish with a 7-1 record.

The Lancers record, along with the NHIAA ranking system, gave them the No. 3 seed, which rewarded them a preliminary round game at home against the Merrimack Tomahawks (#13) on Friday night, Nov. 6 starting at 7 p.m.

In the state capital, the Lancers had to come back from a 12-0 deficit in the second quarter before beginning their comeback with a one-yard touchdown run by Sully Daron. Owen Monahan added the extra point, cutting the deficit to five points with 5:36 remaining in the half.

Londonderry took control in the second half, scoring twice in the third quarter to move ahead. Broch St. Gelais capped a drive with a six-yard touchdown run, and Monahan’s extra point gave the Lancers a 14-12 lead with 2:38 left in the quarter.

The Londonderry defense helped preserve that advantage, coming up with two interceptions in the third quarter. Jackson Rao recorded the first, and Jackson Ivas came up with another in the period.

The Lancers then put the game away in the fourth quarter. After moving the ball downfield on a sustained drive, St. Gelais broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run with 2:08 remaining. Monahan’s third successful extra-point of the night made it a 21-12 game.

Concord made one final attempt to respond, but Londonderry’s defense held firm, including sacks by Cam Marcou and Lincoln Bergeron, to secure the victory.

Daron led the Lancers’ ground game with 68 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a 27-yard run, and added 51 yards passing on seven completions. He also scored Londonderry’s first touchdown.

St. Gelais finished with 48 rushing yards on three carries, with both of his touchdowns coming on runs of six yards and 44 yards. His fourth-quarter breakaway provided the final points of the game.

Calan Murphy added 19 rushing yards and caught two passes for 27 yards, while Luke Pinkos contributed 28 yards on the ground. Jackson Rao caught three passes for 11 yards and also came up with an interception.

Defensively, the Lancers limited Concord to 216 yards of total offense, including just 81 rushing yards. Concord completed 13 of 35 passes for 135-yards, but threw two interceptions. LHS also recorded three sacks and held the Crimson Tide to just two conversions on 13 third-down attempts.

Nathan Mbuyi, Cam Marcou and Davis Magarian each recorded a sack, while Rao and Ivas supplied the interceptions. The team effort helped Londonderry overcome a difficult start and finish the regular season with a win.

The Lancers finished with 235 yards of total offense, including 184 rushing yards, and converted five of nine third-down opportunities.

If Londonderry defeats the Tomahawks they will have another home game in the quarterfinals against either Pinkerton of Manchester Central.