MANCHESTER – Entering the American Youth Football New England Region Spirit Championships on Saturday, Nov. 25, the Goffstown Screamin’ Eagles spirit squads had enjoyed one of their finest seasons ever in its 13-year history. Perhaps now it can be considered the best.

After claiming two state titles and sending three teams to the regional competition, two Goffstown squads earned bids to the national competition on Dec. 9 in Tampa, Fla., following strong performances at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The Division 15 Small Blue squad, which includes five members from the Division 14 team that won last year’s national title, took the region’s lone bid in its group, while the Division 12 Small Blue team placed second among teams its size. The Division 10 Large Red squad also fared well, but did not place.

This season marks the first time ever the Screamin’ Eagles will send two teams to compete on the national stage.

“This group of girls is the best group I’ve worked with,” said Division 12 coach Lisa Roy, who earned AYF Coach of the Year honors earlier this season.

“They really pulled it together this year. I don’t know if it’s because they are a year older or what, but they will be something to contend with when they get to high school.”

Both Roy and Division 15 coach Tammy Gagne said they made slight changes to their team’s routines following the state competition to add difficulty and “make it more visual,” Roy said.

The adjustments worked.

“It’s kind of been a bittersweet year,” said Gagne, referring to the lack of competition her team has faced because it is the only Division 15 group to compete as a small elite team among New England teams. “It’s mixed emotions that they’re the only ones in the region at that level. But then, we don’t have any competition.”

Coaches are currently working to raise funds to pay for the squads’ trips to Florida, which will run about $12,000 per team, Gagne said.

Members of the Division 15 squad include Alicia Gagne, Lauren St. Peter, Tiffini Chezick, Zoë Moskwa, Amber Rouille, Karry Cottle, Kayla Morel, Kailah Donovan, Chantal Roy, Millie Brennan, Brooke Willis, Katie Tracey, Holly Aleksonis, Shannen Dufour, Katelyn Laplante and Emily Butcher.

The Division 12 team features Taylor Roy, Kendall Russo, Morgan Sherwood, Miranda Hussey, Caroline Schneider, Jess Gaucher, Maddie Pisapia, Megan Hannemann, Laura Morin, Taylor St. Peter, Shelly Desjarlais, Brooke Gobin, Sayre Moskwa, Alex Sauvan, Kacy McAlister, Paige Gagne and Sarah Bedard.

Stark’s success Though it didn’t place at the regional competition on Saturday, the John Stark Youth Division 15 Small Red cheer squad took solace in how far it had come in its first season of competition.

The Generals placed third at the state level to earn a regional invite, where they “performed the best they ever have,” said coach Mary Turcotte.

“I was happy with their sportsmanship,” Turcotte said. “There was no crying or anything like that – they were thrilled. Most of the girls said, ‘We made it this far. How great is that?’”

The team includes Jackie Bailey, Tiffany Brencher, Brianna Compagna, Stephanie Croatti, Tasha Desmond, Celeste Eaton, Bianca Green, Rachel Flaherty, Amelia King, Becca LaBranche, Claire Petto, Sami Turcotte and Bridget Vaillancourt.