BY RYAN O’CONNOR Last year, Auburn’s Joey Dudek rode his arm and leg to Gillette Stadium – and very nearly the Super Bowl. Dudek, who won the 10- and 11-year-old division of the local Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick competition last August, also triumphed at the sectional competition in Bristol, R.I., and then the regional ...

BY RYAN O’CONNORSitting at a youth hockey conference, watching what was likely to be another boring prerecorded training video, Kermit Brunelle sighed. On the screen, Don Lucia, coach of the national champion University of Minnesota ice hockey team, was giving a speech. “A lot of people think I have the best job in hockey, and I tell ...

BY RYAN O'CONNOR In the fourth inning of the winners bracket final of the District 1 9- and 10-year-old Little League all-star tournament, his team trailing, 16-9, Goffstown third-base coach Mark Collins went to the stands behind him and made a promise to several parents and relatives in attendance. “If you can rally us to a win, ...

BY RYAN O'CONNOR Prior to his team’s game against Windham in the District 1 9- and 10-year-old Little League all-star tournament winners bracket final, Goffstown manager Bob Gurskis knew his team was in for a battle. It turns out he had no idea. “We noticed right away, before the game, how organized and strong they are,” ...