PENACOOK – As the visitor’s point total climbed on the scoreboard, so did the temperature of contention between Merrimack Valley and visiting Bow under the lights Friday night.

Bow powered through the young MV squad for a 41-0 win, marking the fourth time this year the Falcons (5-1) have shutout their opponent while posting at least 41 points.

The season has been a different story for MV (1-6). This was the fourth time the Pride have allowed their opponents to score at least 40 points.

It was, however, the first time the Pride have been shutout this year. And even though MV Coach Jim Coll and his players knew the Falcons would be one of the most challenging teams they’ll face this year, the frustration boiled over.

Flags flew throughout the game for personal fouls called against both teams. Others were for illegal chop blocks and blocks in the back. Pushing and shoving, and in at least once case punching, prompted several of those penalties.

“As their head coach and the face of this football program, I’ve got to do a better job of making sure these kids are personally accountable and responsible,” Coll said. “They let Bow get to them and didn’t have a whole lot of composure.”

It’s easy to understand why the Pride was frustrated. Bow handled MV in the trenches. Each time Falcons quarterback Matt Harkins handed the ball off to running backs Jack Corriveau (14 carries, 122 yards, two touchdowns) or Ben Kimball (four carries, 50 yards, two touchdowns), the offensive line had already pushed MV’s defense back a few yards. Of course Bow has been doing that to most of its opponents this season.

“I think that has been a huge reason for our success,” Bow Coach Paul Cohen said. “The amount of success the running backs have had is due in large measure both to their skill and also to the skill on the offensive line as it’s come together.”

MV starts five sophomores on the offensive and defensive line. Another offseason in the weight room will do the Pride some good, Coll said.

“Can’t make up for size and strength,” he said. “Get better technique and another year under our belt, we should be okay.”

Harkins didn’t throw very much – he completed four of five passes in the first half for 35 yards – but when he did, he had plenty of time to look around. If the pocket collapsed, Harkins found space to pick up at least a few yards, which only increased the frustration.

“It’s just the emotion of the game,” Corriveau said. “I’ve been in a game where we were getting beat by a lot. You’ve just got to keep your cool. It’s football – tempers flare a little bit.”

These two programs are clearly in different stages of development. While MV rides out a challenging season, Bow, last year’s Division II runner-up, is trying to get back to Durham to compete for a state title. Cohen charged his players to win out the month of October. After taking its only loss to Plymouth in September, Bow took its bye week and now has two straight wins. The Falcons host John Stark next week as the Generals, also 5-1, come off their bye.

“I do believe three weeks ago the loss to Plymouth served as a catalyst, and this team has responded,” Cohen said. “Next week we know is going to be a very hard battle. We know that they were there tonight watching and we know that we’re going to have to prepare well.”

Bow took a 35-0 lead into halftime. The Pride got as close to the end zone as they would all night with a first-and-goal from the 10 yard line near the end of the first quarter. But the Falcons pushed back and the Pride failed to convert on fourth down from the 14. MV’s drive started after its defense forced a fumble out of Jack Wixson’s hands.

At the final horn, Bow had held MV to 170 yards of total offense. Matt Nicholls also scored a rushing touchdown and knocked in three of his four PAT kicks. Steven Guerrette picked off a pass for Bow in the second quarter.

“This is the last time this senior class will get to play together under the lights, and Friday night football is always a magical part of the American football experience,” Cohen said. “I’m glad these guys were able to play as well as they did.”