Plymouth Regional High School Beats Bow High School, Proceeds to Semifinals on GSC

Durham, NH (April 24, 2026) – Who was the Boston bookstore owner who transported 60 tons of cannon and other armaments from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston early in the Revolutionary War? This was the rare question that went unanswered during the most recent GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE quarterfinal game. Plymouth Regional High School defeated their rivals from Bow High School, despite trailing for much of the game. A strong showing in the final round led to Plymouth’s 360 to 230 victory over Bow.

The Plymouth Bobcats were captained by 11th-grader Abe Hankens. Team members included 11th-grader Yuriy Paul, 9th-grader Aurora Ricker and 11th-grader Ezra Amsden. Alternates were 10th-graders Leif Eisenbarth and 9th-graders Cam Cawley and Olivia Brayfield. The team was coached by Drafting teacher Jay Fogarty, and World Languages Teacher Troy Harris. Plymouth Regional High School enrolls about 640 students from Plymouth, Ashland, Holderness, Campton, Rumney, Wentworth, Ellsworth, Waterville Valley and Thornton.

Captain Matthew Kropp, a 12th-grader, led the Bow Falcons. The Bow team also featured 11th-grader Matthew Mampuzha and 9th-graders Ollie White and Max Lewis. Team alternates were 9th-grader Anna Mampuzha and 11th-grader Jayden Kropiewnicki. The Falcons were coached by humanities teacher Michelle Hlavaz. Bow High School enrolls about 650 students from the communities of Bow and Dunbarton.

Bow led the game for much of the first round, establishing an early but narrow lead of 130 to 110, just a two question margin. They seemed to gain momentum in rounds two and three, answering eight out of ten questions correctly in both the Three Strikes and You’re Out and 60 Second rounds. Plymouth faltered during the second round, getting only three correct answers, but they rebounded in the third round with 8 out of ten.

As the final round began, Bow led 290 to 220. However, in Round 4 point values double and wrong answers lead to point deductions, a combo that worked in Plymouth’s favor immediately. During the first question, Bow buzzed in with an incorrect answer, leading to a 20 point deduction. Plymouth was able to steal the answer, tightening the score by forty points. After two more questions, Plymouth took the lead.

Plymouth Coach Troy Harris praised Plymouth’s ability not to get flustered after a shaky start. “I was proud of the composure in the last round, knowing that they weren't out of that match, even though they were down after very good rounds by Bow. They really played great.”

While many quarterfinal games have one team dominating the buzzer in the final round, Bow made a valiant effort, buzzing in frequently in round four but never able to regain their lead.  

“It all came down to that last  round,” said Bow Captain Matthew Kropp. “Those double points are just very crucial.”

“It was a little closer, a little tighter than our last match,” admitted Plymouth Captain Abe Hankens., “We were a little behind at the end of the third round, so we kind of just locked in a little bit for the fourth round.”

Bow Coach Michele Hlavaz remained philosophical about the loss. “It was a great match. I knew Plymouth was going to be a hard team to beat,” she said. “It's just nice to see the kids have so much fun.”

Plymouth will go on to compete in the semifinal against the winner of the next quarterfinal game of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE on Thursday,April 30th at 8:30 p.m. on NHPBS, when Bishop Guertin High School takes on Nashua North. You can also stream it on the PBS App, the NHPBS YouTube channel, or online at nhpbs.org/gsc. 

The patriot who transported cannons and other weapons from New York to Boston during the winter of 1775 to 1776 was Henry Knox. A special semiquincentennial question is part of every game this season, as a celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

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.

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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