Fall Mountain takes on Nashua South in the First 2026 Game of Granite State Challenge

Durham, NH (February 9, 2026) — The Fall Mountain Wildcats face two-time GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE champions the Purple Panthers of Nashua South in the first game of the 44th season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE on Thursday, February 12 at 8:30 p.m. on New Hampshire PBS.

Fall Mountain and Nashua South, along with 32 other teams from New Hampshire schools, took a qualifying test back in November 2025 to secure one of the 16 spots. Four additional teams competed in two wildcard games in December 2025 to secure a spot in Round One. The Wildcats of Fall Mountain Regional High defeated Lin-Wood Lumberjacks in the first wildcard game to secure their spot.

Led by captain Ben Weightman, a 12th-grader, the Wildcats bring together a strong mix of experience and rising talent. Fellow 12th-graders Lennon Doescher and Josh Town compete alongside 11th-grader Rylie Porter, with 11th-graders Keeghan White and Nate Sudsbury serving as team alternates. The Wildcats are coached by Social Studies teacher Nick Belsky. Fall Mountain enrolls 490 students from Langdon, Acworth, Alstead, Charlestown and Walpole.

Speaking about their wildcard game, Fall Mountain team captain Ben Weightman was hopeful their experience would give them an advantage. “It was a good experience overall, and we have a little edge over a bigger school,” said Weightman. “I think we can put up a good fight.”

Fall Mountain’s coach Nick Belsky, who has been a GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE coach since 1997, was hopeful about his team going up against Nashua South. “My kids are going to go for it,” said Belsky. “We have under 500 kids at our school, but we’re not afraid of Goliath.”

The Purple Panthers are captained by 12th-grader Henry Long and include fellow 12th-graders Eric Picanco and Thanasi Miris, along with 10th-grader Charlie Long. Rounding out the team are alternates Jerry Primo, a 12th-grader, and Lexie Ross, a 10th-grader. The team is coached by Social Studies teacher Lex Duval and English teacher Kelli Thornhill-Telerski. The Purple Panthers were Granite State Challenge champions in 2016 and 2017.

The Panthers captain Henry Long was charged to be competing again on GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE. “I just think we have a really powerful, strong team this year. Everyone knows their stuff. Everyone's been carrying their weight. It's going to be a good game.”

Nashua South coach Lex Duval was excited for the games to begin. “This team has been playing together for four years now. They’re really strong teammates and not just for their knowledge base, but knowing the strengths of each other,” said Duval. “I think most importantly, they push each other to get better every single day.”

Hosted by Bow High School teacher and former GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE coach (Bedford High), contestant (Belmont High), and GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE crew member, Jon Cannon, GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE features some of New Hampshire's brightest high school students as they demonstrate remarkable teamwork, quick thinking, and smarts to beat the clock and buzz in first on this iconic New Hampshire game show. The game emphasizes quick recall of math, science, social studies, language arts, and fine arts facts - along with questions about current events, entertainment, sports and New Hampshire.

Catch the new season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE premiering on Thursday, February 12th at 8:30 p.m. on NHPBS. You can also steam it on the PBS App, the NHPBS YouTube channel, or online at nhpbs.org/gsc.

Test your knowledge with GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE online quizzes, and more at the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE web page, or try your hand at daily brain teasers on the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE Facebook page.

GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is funded by lead sponsor Unitil with additional funding from Safety Insurance and NEA New Hampshire.

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