Picked ten games last week and went 7-3. I correctly predicted the LaSalle, North Kingstown score last week.
There more games on the slate this week and I am looking to beat my win total from last week. I think I can do it.
Here are my picks for the biggest high school, college games and of course, the Patriots.
High School
Springfield Central at Xaverian: Division 1 in Massachusetts is wide open at the top. You have three schools jockeying for position and two of them are playing in this game. The quarterback match up of Jareth Staine vs. Will Wood is fantastic and will be fun to watch. Both teams are coming off wins and a high scoring game is on deck. Give me the X at home by 3 points. Final score: Xaverian 34 Springfield Central 31
St. John’s Prep at LaSalle Academy: The Prep is off to a fantastic start at 3-0 after handily beating Central Catholic last week. The Rams are coming off of a tough loss to North Kingstown. This should be a good game for a half but I am going with the Eagles to pull away in the second half. Final score: St. John’s Prep 35, LaSalle 12
Natick at Milford: Both teams come in undefeated but the Scarlet Hawks are more battle tested. Despite that, I think this Natick team is good and flying under the radar in Division One. Give me Natick in a very close game. Final score: Natick 21, Milford 20
King Philip at Foxboro: I am coaching in this game so I am not making a pick. Instead, I will give you our Tyler Amaral’s pick. He thinks it will be a battle and he has the King Philip Warriors winning another close one. Final score: King Philip 14, Foxboro 10
Bishop Hendricken at Central Catholic: Hawks are coming off of an impressive 34-0 win over Cumberland last week and appear to be hitting their stride. Central Catholic is coming off a tough loss to the Prep and their schedule might be starting to catch up to them. That is why I am ultimately taking Hendricken here. I expect a tough, physical game with the Hawks surviving by a score. Final score: Bishop Hendricken 18, Central Catholic 14
Bunnell at New Canaan: The Bulldogs impressed in a 21-0 win over Masuk last week but the Rams are the standard in Connecticut and a whole different beast. Give the Rams by three scores. Final score: New Canaan 35, Bunnell 14
Hand at Brookfield: Hand is off to a dominant start but they will get arguably their best challenge of the season when they visit Brookfield. Tyler Buttendorf and the Bobcats have been rolling. It’s tough to pick against Hand but going Brookfield tonight in a mild upset. Final score: Brookfield 21, Hand 20
West Haven at Staples:,Both teams have been impressive thus far but it is hard to pick against the Wreckers at home. Nick Weil and company look good so far. Final score: Staples 28, West Haven 21
Darien at Masuk: Masuk will look to bounce back after a tough loss to Bunnell last week. Meanwhile, the Blue Wave have been crushing it through two games and don’t appear to be missing the pieces they lost from last season’s team too much. Masuk will be a challenge but I’m going with Andy Grant’s squad in this one. Final score: Darien 35, Masuk 14
Londonderry at Pinkerton: The big one in the Granite State this weekend. One of the best rivalries in New England. It is hard to pick against the Lancers but Pinkerton has so much back and they are at home. I don’t like to bet against Brian O’Reilly. Give me the Astros. Final score: Pinkerton 35, Londonderry 21
St. Johnsbury Academy at Rutland: Rutland was rolling along and then they ran into Middlebury last week, losing 31-21. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers are coming off of a 44-0 dismantling of Bellows. It’s tough to pick against Rutland but I’m going to. Give me St. Johnsbury in a close one. Final score: SJB 28, Rutland 24
Noble at Bonny Eagle: Big one in Vacationland tonight. Bonny Eagles has been impressive through three wins. Noble on the other hand has survived three games. Give me the Scots at home. They pick up a big win and make an early season impression. Final score: Bonny Eagles 35, Noble 14
Milton Academy at Tabor Academy: The Mustangs are a sleeper in the ISL but it is hard to pick against Tabor at home. I truly believe the Seawolves are the best team in New England. It’ll be a battle but give me Tabor. Final score: Tabor 42, Milton Academy 21
Avon Old Farms at BB&N: Contrast in styles here between two programs that are well coached. I think this game will be close but the Winged Beavers have the talent edge and that proves to be the difference. Final score: AOF 28, BB&N 21
College
Cal at Boston College: Eagles need a win coming off the bye and they will get it. Don’t let the Golden Bears 3-1 record fool you. They are not that good. B.C bounces back. Final score: Eagles 35, Cal 17
UConn at Buffalo: Huskies need to ramp things and play better. They survived at home last week against Ball State. This game cannot be that close. Huskies win and cover the 5.5 point spread. Final score: UConn 28, Buffalo 21
Brown at Harvard: The Bears shocked the Crimson last season in Providence but I suspect Jaden Craig and company will have revenge on their mind and they will get it. Give me Harvard at home. Final score: Harvard 35, Brown 21
Rhode Island at Western Michigan: Don’t sleep on the Rams. They are undefeated and good enough to win this game. I am not picking them of course but it wouldn’t surprise me if they pulled off the mini upset. Final score: Western Michigan 24, URI 21
Dartmouth at CCSU: I expect another low scoring this time but the Big Green will win by more than a field goal. Give me Dartmouth by 7. Talented backfield of Saulnier and Crowther proves to be too much.
Patriots
Panthers at Patriots: The Patriots should beat least 2-1 right now. They have away last week’s game with five turnovers. Meanwhile, Carolina throttled Atlanta 30-0. That won’t be the case this time around. The Patriots will do a better job of taking care of the ball and the defense will shut down Bryce Young and company. Patriots by ten plus. Final score: Patriots 28, Panthers 17