Milford High football is much less about secrecy than it is just raw power. Opponents might have to get used to that fact in 2019.

We get a glimpse of this year’s Spartans on Friday night (7 p.m.) as they host Hollis Brookline, a pass-happy, wide-open opponent that probably has kept Milford coach Keith Jones up all hours of the night this week.

“Obviously they have some great athletes. Those two brothers (Senior twins Sander and Quinten Wimmer) are as good as athletes as we will see,” said Jones. “I don’t like to play a team like that, let alone open with them. The pass is a dangerous thing.”

Milford certainly was the talk of the Queen City Jamboree, dominating Manchester Central, 28-7, in one half of action.

QB Gavin Urda had TD runs of 77, 50 and 45 yards in the demolition.

“I thought we did OK. We still have a lot to work on,” said Jones.

“Our game plan against everyone is ball control. The other night, Gavin scoring like he did was too fast. Pound it, pound it, pound it. That’s what we want to do.”

Expectations are high at Milford right now, but that is nothing new, at least to the coach.

“I think we thought we had a pretty good football team last year,” said Jones of the 6-4 state quarterfinalists. “Our goal was to be in the state championship with Plymouth. I think we are in the same boat again this year.”

The exlposive Cavaliers should pose a very good test in the early going.

Souhegan High will have to wait the extra day to open the season. The Sabers travel to Dover to face St. Thomas on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Saints have beaten Souhegan three straight years, and this time around each is looking to replace a cornerstone quarterback.

Drilling Concord in the Jamboree, 13-0, Souhegan gave opponents plenty to think about.

Luke Manning looked sharp, hitting back-to-back long passes to Ryan Hauser, setting up the former’s 1-yard TD plunge. Manning then bumped to receiver, allowing junior Austin Jain to settle in behind center. Jain tossed an 18-yard TD to Manning (of course!).

“At some point, I think we’d like to go with one guy,” said Sabers coach Robin Bowkett. “If Austin is our best option at QB, Luke is one of our best receivers. But I would expect them both to play and to utilize their skills.

Luke is a seasoned guy. He knows the offense as well as I do. He knows whatever everyone is doing out there. Austin has all the ability in the world. He is just going to get better every day. I’m certainly pleased with both of them.”

Souhegan will need to deal with one of the top receivers in the state, St. Thomas ball hawk Will MacLean.

“They’re similar to us in ways, primarily out the gun on offense. They want to get the ball to their athletes in space,” said Bowkett. “MacLean is probably their best returning player. He catches every ball thrown in his direction.”

Souhegan will need to guard against the effects of the long bus ride and playing on a Saturday afternoon, as opposed to the “Friday Night Lights.”

It’s a point Bowkett has driven home to the Sabers.

“It’s something we talked to our kids about for sure,” the coach said. “Get on the bus, be ready to roll. Certainly, there are no excuses.”