There are a lot of great games on the local slate this week and I pick all the big ones.
Here are my big game predictions for this weekend.
High School
Catholic Memorial at St. John’s (Shrewsbury): Catholic Memorial breezed past Xaverian last week, avenging a 2025 loss to the Hawks. St. John’s is coming off its first loss of the season to top-ranked St. John’s Prep. Things don’t get much easier this week for the Pioneers. The Knights have too much firepower for the Pioneers. Expect CM to score in the 40’s one again. Pick: CM
Central Catholic at Andover: Both teams are coming off hard-fought battles with top New Hampshire teams. Central Catholic lost to Londonderry, while Andover knocked off Pinkerton. Caden Smith versus John Stadler is an elite quarterback matchup. It is a toss up game but something tells this is Andover’s year.Pick: Andover
Franklin at Milton: There aren’t many non-conference games being played this week and this is the top one in the state. Milton aims to get back to track after a shutout loss at home to Walpole last week. Franklin has won five in a row after losing its first game to Wachusett. The Panthers are starting to hit their stride. They could be a factor in the Division One playoffs. Pick: Franklin
King Philip at Foxborough: King Philip looks like King Philip again. Freshman running back Ethan O’Connell is already one of the Hockomock League’s best players. KP enters as the favorite, but you can throw records out the window when these teams square off. Expect another fist fight in a phone booth and a low scoring game. Pick: Our Tyler Amaral like KP.
North Kingstown (RI) at Barnstable: North Kingstown’s only loss is to Rhode Island power La Salle. The Skippers are consistently among the top public school programs in Rhode Island. Barnstable’s difficult schedule continues. The Red Hawks have the defense to compete with most teams in the region. Barnstable has been an unpredictable team all season and for that reason alone, I am enticed to take NK but I cannot. Give me Barnstable. Pick: Barnstable
New Canaan at Greenwich: The biggest game in Connecticut this fall. This one should be an instant classic. A heavyweight fight between the back to back Class LL champs against a New Canaan team that is an absolute heater the last few seasons. I think this is a toss up but I am leaning on the Rams. Pick: New Canaan
Bonny Eagle at Thornton Academy: Like in Connecticut, this is the biggest game of the year in Maine. Both teams’ closest victory to this point was over South Portland. Thornton is king in Class A but if there is one program who can knock them off, it is Bonny Eagle. Won’t happen however. It will be close but I like the Trojans to pull away late. Pick: Thornton Academy
Westerly (RI) at Bishop Guertin: A fun interstate matchup between one of the Division 2 favorites in Rhode Island and arguably the top team from the Granite State. We might get a shootout here and if we do, I like Guertin. Too many weapons. Pick: Bishop Guertin
St. Ray’s at Cranston West: These two squads and North Kingstown appear to be the only Division 1 teams capable of spoiling yet another Bishop Hendricken versus La Salle final. I expect a high scoring game but I am going with he home team. Give me the Falcons. Pick: Cranston West
St. Johnsbury at Lyndon Institute: St. Johnsbury is the team to beat in Vermont. The Hilltoppers have not played a close game yet this season. Lyndon is playing well after a midseason loss to Fair Haven. The Hilltoppers are explosive on offense and that is going to be the difference. I am not sure Lyndon can keep up. Pick: St. Johnsbury
NEPSAC
BB&N at Milton Academy: Owen DeSalvo and BB&N are 4-0, but this is arguably the toughest test yet for the Knights. Despite that, it is hard to pick against Mike Willey’s squad. I am taking the Knights in what should be a close game. Pick: BB&N
College
Boston College at Georgia Tech: The Eagles have only won two road games in the Bill O’Brien era. Make it three. This team has some legitimate mojo after last weekend and it is carrying over to this game.
UMass at UConn: One of the best rivalries in New England. It should be a great game but I think UConn, coming off a bye gets it done at home against a struggling UMass team. I expect a close one. Pick: UConn
Princeton at Harvard: The Ivy League could be on the line in this one. If Harvard wants to win it, they need this one. I think they get it done. Charlie Smith makes some big plays and the defense holds up. Pick: Harvard
Albany at URI: Rams have found their stride again and they have a quarterback in Alex McClelland. This could be a tight game but the Rams pull away late. Defense gets it done again. Pick: URI
Stony Brook at Bryant: Major CAA implications in this game. Bryant is still undefeated in conference play. If they want to stay that way, they will have to earn it against a good Stony Brook. I am going with the Bulldogs in what should be a close game. Pick: Bryant
Patriots
Patriots at Bears: The Patriots are rolling after a tough start but I think the injuries are going to start catching up to them. New England will hang tough but it will not be enough. Bears pull away late. Pick: Bears