His third-ranked team idle until Saturday, Hanover coach Rob Grabill wasn’t about to sit around during the start of the NHIAA Division I boys’ soccer tournament and watch snow flakes fall to the ground in his area.

“We’re going to watch the first round scores roll in Wednesday while we’re scrimmaging the top-ranked team in Division II (Lebanon),” said Grabill. “We’ve got a strong field of teams in our tournament this season and this year I could have made a case for the three teams that didn’t make it because of the 70-percent rule.”

Top-ranked Bedford (14-1-1), second-ranked Timberlane (14-1-1) and third-seeded Hanover (14-2) gained first-round byes in the 13-team tournament.

“There’s always a surprise (upset) or two in the first round and the quarterfinal round is where things really get interesting,” said Grabill. “They’ve got to get there first, but there’s a possibility that Manchester Central (11-3-2), which has won the most state titles (three) than anyone over the last decade, could be facing defending state champion Concord (12-3-1) in the quarterfinals. I’d buy a ticket to see that matchup.”

Grabill sees a slight gap between the top three teams and the rest of the pack. “Bedford and Timberlane each lost one game and tied each other. We lost both of our games to them by one goal.”

Still, Grabill said no one can look past the rest of the field. “It’s (Exeter coach) Jim Tufts’ 40th season and you know Exeter (11-5) is going to be revved up. Pinkerton (9-6-1) won the state title two years ago and was the only team to beat Timberlane this season. Londonderry (8-7-1) was a state finalist last season and Memorial (8-7-1), which beat Bedford, is one of the most improved teams in the state. There’s no blemish on all of those programs who are capable of running the table. Records in the regular season don’t matter now, it’s more of what have you done for me lately.”

Grabill said defense will be a major component in state tournament play. “Bedford has the most shutouts and has allowed the fewest number of goals,” said Grabill. “We went from allowing 20 goals last season to 10 this season. I can make a case for Timberlane’s defense, which shut out Central and played Bedford to a 1-1 tie in Bedford this past week. Defense comes into play this time of year.”

• Division II also opens play Wednesday and top-ranked Lebanon (15-1) is the only team with a first round bye. Defending state champion Oyster River (11-3) will host 12th-ranked Portsmouth (6-8-2) in a rematch of last year’s state title game.

 Derryfield School of Manchester made a strong impression in Division III, gaining the top seed one season after winning the Division IV state title for the fourth straight season. Derryfield (14-1) gained a first-round bye in today’s first round along with third-ranked and defending state champion Gilford (13-2-1).

• Division IV begins today with top-ranked Littleton, second-seeded Epping and third-ranked Woodsville on the sidelines with first-round byes.

jhabib@unionleader.com