Image courtesy of MIAA
By Tyler Amaral
NEFJ Staff
DIVISION 1
Favorites: Springfield Central, St. John’s Prep, Xaverian, Needham
Sleepers: Methuen, BC High
Best first round match-up: (8) Methuen vs. (9) Franklin
D1 Breakdown: Division 1 will once again come down to the big four of St. John’s Prep, Springfield Central, Xaverian and Needham. Teams like Methuen and BC High could play spoiler, especially Methuen who would more than likely face the Prep in the second round if they beat Franklin. Methuen is led by arguably the top offensive weapon in the MIAA in Shane Eason. If the favorites hold serve, you could see some intriguing second and sectional final match-ups.Central Catholic and Leominster are two other teams to monitor in the state’s top division. The Raiders have gotten better throughout the year, while the Blue Devils are led by one of the top signal-callers in Massachusetts, Osiris Lopez.
DIVISION 2
Favorites: Catholic Memorial, King Philip, Marshfield
Sleepers: Wellesley, Winchester
Best first round match-up: (6) Winchester vs. (11) Peabody
D2 Breakdown: Catholic Memorial enters the playoffs as the clear favorite in Division 2. The Knights are led by four Boston College commits, including superstar running back Mekhi Dodd. The Knights are the top team in the state. King Philip has championship pedigree. Marshfield upset Catholic Memorial in the semifinals last season. A potential King Philip versus Marshfield semifinal matchup would be intriguing. Bishop Feehan is a tier below those top three teams. Wellesley and Winchester enter the tournament flying under the radar. Bridgewater-Raynham has won five consecutive games under first year head coach Eian Bain.
DIVISION 3
Favorites: Reading, North Attleboro, Billerica
Sleepers: West Springfield, Walpole
Best first round match-up: (8) Masconomet vs (9) Milford
D3 Breakdown: Division 3 is arguably the most wide-open of all divisions in Massachusetts. Top-seeded Reading has to be considered a favorite as the Rockets navigated a difficult regular season schedule unscathed. North Attleboro and Billerica have had up-and-down regular seasons against challenging schedules. Georgetown-bound linebacker/running back Tyler Bannon is the key player for North Attleboro and the top player in the division. West Springfield is the most underrated team in the division, but the Terriers have dominated Western Mass competition. Mansfield will be hard to discount for as long as Mike Redding is manning the sidelines. There are a few fun first round matchups in this bracket.
DIVISION 4
Favorites: Scituate, Duxbury, Grafton
Sleepers: Marblehead, Canton
Best first round match-up: (7) Burlington vs (10) Wayland
D4 Breakdown: Scituate and Duxbury enter the postseason as the two favorites in Division 4 once again. The Sailors and Dragons met each other in the 2021 and 2023 D4 state title games. A potential rubber match awaits this December. Duxbury won the 2022 title over Grafton and the Gators are another team squarely in the mix. Tewksbury is always a tough out under head coach Brian Aylward. Malden Catholic enters the playoffs with a .500 record, but the Lancers have played by far the most challenging schedule in the division. Marblehead got off to a rocky start, but the Magicians have been playing excellent defense down the stretch and could cause problems.
DIVISION 5
Favorites: Foxborough, Shawsheen
Sleepers: Old Rochester, Bishop Fenwick
Best first round match-up: (7) Auburn vs (10) Blackstone Valley Tech
D5 Breakdown: Foxboro is the favorite in the division, looking to go back-to-back. The Warriors have been a different team since Ben Angelini has returned from injury. Shawsheen is in the same tier as Foxboro. The Rams beefed up their non-league schedule this year, in hopes of being more battled-tested come November. Sid Tildsley is the leader and one of the more fun players in the state to watch. Hanover, Old Rochester and Bishop Fenwick should all be factors in the bracket. The winner of Auburn and Blackstone Valley Tech could emerge as the top sleeper in the division.
DIVISION 6
Favorites: Hudson, Fairhaven
Sleepers: Lynnfield, St. Mary’s
Best first round match-up: (7) Swampscott vs (10) Bay Path
D6 Breakdown: Fairhaven is hoping to defend its Division 6 crown this postseason. All-State running back Justin Marques will be relied on heavily once again in this playoff run. Last year Marques totaled 90 carries in the final two rounds alone. Hudson has one of the most dynamic offenses in the state regardless of division. Record-setting quarterback Jake Attaway leads a talented group. Fairhaven and Hudson squared off in the semifinals last year and appear to be on a collision course to meet at Gillette in December. Sandwich and Stoneham are two run-heavy teams who run the double wing. St. Mary’s could have the best defense in the bracket. Lynnfield and Dennis-Yarmouth could be a shootout in the first round.
DIVISION 7
Favorites: Uxbridge, Clinton, Mashpee
Sleepers: Millbury, Cohasset
Best first round match-up: (7) Cohasset vs (10) West Bridgewater
D7 Breakdown: Uxbridge is the clear favorite in the division. The Spartans are hoping to repeat as champions of the division. Clinton got off to a 1-2 start, but has since rattled off five wins in a row and enter the tournament as the hottest team outside of Uxbridge. Mashpee is one of the most consistent small school programs in the state. The Falcons figure to be in the mix again this year. Northbridge is led by legendary head coach Ken LaChapelle. LaChapelle is going for his 400th career victory in round one against Oxford. Cohasset and Amesbury are tough teams that should never be taken lightly.
DIVISION 8
Favorites: West Boylston, Randolph
Sleepers: Nashoba Valley Tech, KIPP Academy
Best first round match-up: (7) Lee vs (10) Bartlett
D8 Breakdown: West Boylston and Randolph enter the tournament as the clear favorites. West Boylston is the defending Division 8 champion. The Lions also won Division 7 in 2022. The Lions double wing attack is difficult to stop. Randolph is one of the hottest teams in the state. The Blue Devils are led by Mekhi White, Haggai Joseph and Abe Cornet. Carver should not be discounted. Nashoba Valley Tech, Cathedral and KIPP Academy are all capable of lighting up the scoreboard and competing with the teams in the upper echelon.