Merrimack Coach Absent From Turkey Bowl

Among the dozens of Merrimack players and coaches lining the sidelines during today's 41-14 Turkey Bowl loss to rival Souhegan, there was one face noticeably absent.

Tomahawks' head coach Joe Battista was not present at the game, and no explanation was provided by high school administrators or coaches.

"It's a personnel issue and I have no further comment," said first-year Merrimack Athletics Director Eric Sabean, following the contest.

Sabean took over the MHS athletics department this school year after former AD Andy Krahling resigned in the spring following a NHAA rules violation involving Merrimack varsity baseball coach Ryan Anderson.

Justin Smith, who took over head coaching duties for the Tomahawks, said he couldn't discuss any of the details surrounding Battista's absence, including whether the action was made prior to today.

"It's out of our hands," he said, "so I just respectful cannot comment on that."

"No idea," said Souhegan head coach Mike Beliveau, who Battista coached under at SHS. "I think it's a personal matter here at Merrimack.

"I'll just say this. I love Joe like a brother," Beliveau added, "and Joe loves football. He really loves football, and it was really hard not seeing Joe today, real hard because, man, I wanted to be on the same field with him one last time ... I hope everything's fine. I have no idea what it is, just know that he wasn't here and I missed him."

Merrimack Patch will follow up on this story if and when more information is released.