Last week threw us for a loop with the Patriots and UMass playing during the week. I am back this week and ready to serve up my predictions so here goes.

High School

Central Catholic vs. St. John’s Prep: Should be one hell of a state semi-final but it is really hard to pick against the Prep, even without Christopher Vargas Pick: St. John’s Prep

Springfield Central vs. Xaverian: Central got the better of X earlier this season. This has developed into one of the best rivalries in the state in recent years. A healthy Dave Chiavagato makes a world of difference. Give me the Hawks in this one. Pick: Xaverian

Winchester vs. Catholic Memorial: The Red and Black have the look of a team that could upset the Knights. I think they keep it close but CM is still the most talented team in Division 2 and they pull away in the second half. Pick: Catholic Memorial

Bishop Feehan vs. Bridgewater-Raynham: I love games like this. The contrast in styles always makes for great games. This Feehan has been underestimated all season long. They get people’s attention by winning a close game and returning to the Super Bowl. Pick: Bishop Feehan

King Philip vs. Malden Catholic: I’m abstaining from this one. I will be coaching in the game. Our Tyler Amaral the Lancers hang tough but the Warriors pull away in the second half. Pick: King Philip

North Attleboro vs. Milton: Another contrast in styles game that will be a doozy. I think it comes down to the wire but I think North Attleboro plays just enough keep away in the end to pull out a big win. Expect a 24-22 kind of game. Pick: North Attleboro

Scituate vs. Duxbury: Scituate has won the last two meetings and I think they will make it three in a row on Saturday. A return trip to Gillette is on the line but expect a tighter game. I’m riding with the Sailors in this one. Pick: Scituate

Tewksbury vs. Canton: Canton has been a great story this season. I think they show up and give Tewksbury all they can handle but in the end, the Redmen are too much to handle. Give me Tewksbury by two scores. Pick: Tewksbury

Shawsheen vs. North Reading: Shawsheen owns the state’s longest winning. The Rams win the old fashioned way, by running the football and playing great defense. That formula will help pull though against a good North Reading team that is gutsy and well coached. Pick: Shawsheen

Foxboro vs. Archbishop Williams: The Warriors play some of the best defense in the state and it is their defense that will be the difference in this one as they end the Bishops magical season. Pick: Foxboro

Fairhaven vs. Bishop Fenwick: Fenwick has been a great story in these playoffs and well equipped to win this game and get to Gillette. I think they give the Blue Devils all they can handle, but in the end Fairhaven is just a little too much. Riding the option in this one. Pick: Fairhaven

Hudson vs. Norwell: It is always hard to bet against the defending champs but I think this Norwell team is legit. Stopping Jack Luccarelli will be hard. I’m going with Norwell. Pick: Norwell

Cohasset vs. Northbridge: One last ride for Ken LaChappelle continues with a trip to Gillette. Going Rams here. Pick: Northbridge

Clinton vs. Amesbury: Amesbury knocked off the defending champs last week and has the look of a team built to win it all in D7. I am rolling with the Redhawks. Pick: Amesbury

Nashoba Tech vs. Randolph: Danny Kelly has done a phenomenal job with the NVT program but I think the Blue Devils are on a mission and they will return to Gillette for another shot at a title. Mekhi White wins the Battle of the Backs. Pick: Randolph

Lee vs. West Boylston: Lee has been a great story but this season but West Boylston team is next level. The Lions get back to Gillette with a chance to make it four championships in a row. Pick: West Boylston.

La Salle vs. Bishop Hendricken: Like death and taxes, La Salle and Hendricken are meeting for a state title. La Salle won the first match up but the Hawks avenge that loss and make it three straight. Pick: Bishop Hendricken

Westerly vs. South Kingstown: The Rebels are looking to defend their Division 2 crown but it will be tough against Landon Husereau and the Bulldogs. Westerly has looked like the best team in Division 2 all season long. They get it done. Pick: Westerly

Classical vs. Mt. Hope: This will be a much better game than people think but in the end, Classical is the more talented team and they will pull away. Pick: Classical

Narragansett vs. Davies: Davies won this rematch 28-25 last season. I think Narragansett turns the tables this time around and avenges last season’s loss with a state title win today. Pick: Narragansett

Nashua South vs. Bedford: The Bulldogs are built to win any kind of game so I see them winning a shootout against a good South team: Pick: Bedford

Salem vs. Pinkerton: It’s hunting season for the Astros. This is when Brian O’Reilly’s teams are at their best. I’m going with Pinkerton. Pick: Pinkerton

Trinity vs. Souhegan: This will be a better game than people think but the Sabers are the standard in Division 2 in New Hampshire. I am going with Souhegan. Pick: Souhegan.

Portland vs. Thornton Academy: Portland has been willed to the Class A state title game by Cordell Jones but this Thornton team is deep and balanced. Hard to pick against them. Trojans dominated the first meeting but this will be a better game. Pick: Thornton Academy.

Westbrook vs. Cony: Cony has been the standard in B all season long and while Westbrook will challenge them, I’m going with the Rams. Pick: Cony

College

Harvard at Yale: What a surprise, a league and now a playoff birth are on the line in the rivalry game. We wouldn’t want it any other way. It has been Harvard’s year thus far and I look for that to continue. Give me the Crimson in what should be a fantastic game. Pick: Harvard.

Maine at UNH: The Bruce-Cowell Musket is on the line in this border war. UNH has dominated the series of late and I look for that to continue in what could be a high scoring game. Pick: UNH

UConn at FAU: The Huskies have learned not to take opponents like this lightly. UConn is favored by 7.5 and they should cover that number. Win number 9 happens on Saturday. Pick: UConn

Mercyhurst at CCSU: Blue Devils win and they win the NEC outright and earn the conference playoff birth. Simple scenario if you ask me. I’m going with the Blue Devils. Pick: CCSU

Hampton at URI: Rams seal the deal today. They win the CAA and clinch an FCS playoff birth in the process. Pick: URI

Patriots

Patriots at Bengals: Patriots visit Cincinnati to take on the Burrowless Bengals. Couple that with a historically bad defense and the Patriots should take care of business. Pick: Patriots