Afternoon delights highlight local menu

A number of matchups involving local schools this afternoon promise to be spirited and intriguing, hard-hitting and pivotal.

In Hemstead, N.Y., 11th-ranked New Hampshire takes on 10th-ranked Hofstra in a key Colonial Athletic Association game, hopefully with UNH senior signal-caller Ricky Santos back behind center after missing the first game of his career.

Ivy combatants Harvard and Princeton will clash for the 100th time.

In the Berkshires, unbeaten Tufts tries to take down NESCAC foe Williams for the first time since 1986.

New England Football Conference unbeatens Plymouth State and Curry will clash in Milton.

And in the Northeast-10, a rejuvenated Stonehill squad hosts Bentley, shooting for its first win over its rival since 1995.

The possibilities are endless.

With or without Santos (right shoulder injury), whose availability will be a game-time decision, New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell calls Hofstra (6-0, 3-0) "a very, very good football team."

Senior back Kareem Huggins is averaging 130.5 rushing yards per game, but McDonnell pointed to senior quarterback Bryan Savage, "who makes plays every game, he really presents some problems," and an experienced Hofstra defense that has held five foes to under 100 yards rushing.

Redshirt freshman R.J. Toman, who has played well the last two weeks, will step in for the Wildcats (4-2, 1-2) if Santos is unable to go.

Harvard (3-2, 2-0) kicks off its season-closing five-game Ivy run seeking its first victory over Princeton (2-3, 1-1) since 2004.

The Harvard defense forced turnovers on Lafayette's final three possessions a week ago, while Princeton has committed 12 turnovers in the last two weeks, in losses to Hampton and Brown.

Harvard coach Tim Murphy continues to single out his experienced secondary of Steve Williams (4 interceptions), John Hopkins (3), Andrew Berry, and Doug Hewlett.

Crimson senior quarterback Chris Pizzotti, the Ivy leader in passing efficiency and an impressive 16 of 26 passing in third-down situations, "is our most improved player in the last year," said Murphy.

Tufts, 4-0 in the NESCAC for the first time since 2001 after last week's monumental victory over Trinity, hits the road to take on Williams (2-2).

"A heck of a challenge," said Tufts coach Bill Samko.

Quarterback Patrick Lucey pilots an Ephs attack that leads the NESCAC in yards per game (451.8) while Tufts has received outstanding play from its secondary all season.

Curry (7-0, 4-0) and Plymouth State (6-0, 4-0), ranked first and third, respectively, in New England Division 3, tangle for the NEFC's Bogan Division lead.

"The expectation, when you come to Curry, is that you will play in big games," said Curry second-year coach Skip Bandini, who considers Plymouth State coach Paul Castonia one of his best friends in football. "This is a great matchup. We know that it is going to be a tough game."

Curry, averaging 43.3 points per game, has won 26 consecutive conference games, and 25 straight at home.

Plymouth State, which has won eight in a row since last year's 40-26 loss to Curry, is averaging 36.8 points per game.

Curry has received outstanding play from junior quarterback Ryan Van De Giesen (a team-high 124 yards rushing last week, plus 235 through the air). Senior back Jeff Mack (118.7 rushing yards per game) makes Plymouth State attack go.

Stonehill (4-2, 4-1 NE-10), plus-12 in turnover margin under first-year coach Robert Talley, renews acquaintances with Bentley (4-2, 4-2) in a series that dates to 1972, when both squads played at the club level.

"Stonehill is the most improved team in the league," said Bentley coach Peter Yetten. "They are very good in the red zone defensively."

Stonehill has also blocked three kicks.

In Amherst, Gold Helmet winner Liam Coen (with 30 consecutive starts at quarterback) and fourth-ranked UMass (5-1, 3-0 CAA) welcome Northeastern (1-5, 0-3) on Homecoming Day at McGuirk Stadium. Northeastern quarterback Anthony Orio and 6-foot-7-inch, 255-pound tight end Brian Mandeville are developing a nice chemistry in the passing game, according to Huskies coach Rocky Hager. Craig Larson can be reached at clarson@globe.com.