It is the last week of the regular season in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Connecticut still has two weeks left in the regular season after this weekend.
Vermont kicks off their playoffs this weekend while Maine and New Hampshire wide down their seasons.
Here’s this week’s round up.
Connecticut
North Haven picked up a big win over West Haven last week but has another tough game when they visit a good Shelton team. The will be a tough match up for a lot of teams because of their physical, downhill style.
Maloney took care of business last night against Hall, 41-17. Both teams were 5-1 coming into the night. Donte Kelly scored four more times. He now has 15 touchdowns on the season. He is special. The Spartans are quietly going about their business as one of the best programs in the state.
New Caanan travels to Norwalk this weekend but a path a top seed in Class L is pretty clear for the Rams. The remaining schedule puts them in position to once again make a deep playoff run.
Wilton takes on Darien this weekend. Both teams are 4-2 and need a win to solidified their playoff status. Especially Wilton in Class MM.
Hamden travels to Fairfield Prep. It is hard to believe that the Jesuits are 0-6. I don’t think anyone saw that coming.
Maine
*Our thoughts go out to the Lewiston community. What happened on Wednesday is hard to comprehend and much bigger than football.
Windham at Bonny Eagle is an intriguing match up. At 5-3, the Scots face a must win as they try to position themselves in Class A South.
Portland takes on South Portland in what should be an interesting game. The Bulldogs are undefeated but they take a team in South Portland that has played a lot of competitive games this season and has lost to some good teams.
Of the non bye teams in Class B, Marshwood, Gardiner and Skowhegan are all solid contenders to challenge the top teams in the class.
Leavitt, Fryeburg and Cheverus all have byes in the first round in the Class C playoffs. It should be an interesting playoff chase in C. Leavitt is the number one team in the state and the clear favorite but I do think they’ll get pushed.
Wells and Foxcroft have byes in Class D. Both are strong title contenders especially the Ponies.
Massachusetts
St. John’s Prep beat rival CM on Saturday the old fashioned way. They pounded the ball and played great defense. The Eagles do not have the star power they had last season but are well positioned to repeat. They play a tough B.C High team this week.
Peabody, Bishop Feehan and Barnstable are all teams that could make things interesting in Division 2. It is still King Philip and CM’s division but these teams are capable of possibly pulling off an upset.
Billerica looks to be the team to beat in Division 3. The Indians are big, physical and tough. Duane Sigsbury always gets the most out of his teams. Milton, Milford, Mansfield are among the other teams that will be in the mix as well.
Division 4 has a bunch of quality teams at the top. Tewksbury, Duxbury, Scituate and Norwood are all teams to keep an eye on as possible title contenders. Middleboro and Grafton are also in the conversation.
Division 6 is wide open but Fairhaven could be the team to beat. Same goes with Divisions 7 and 8 where Uxbridge and West Boylston. D8 has four undefeated teams that are all really good.
New Hampshire
Salem at Londonderry is the most intriguing match-up of the final weekend of the regular season in the Granite State. I still think that Londonderry will be a player in D1 when the playoffs roll around next week.
The Division 1 playoffs in New Hampshire should be among the best in New England. Bedford, Pinkerton, Londonderry all have legit shots at winning a state title but then there are programs like Portsmouth Oyster River, Salem, Exeter and Dover who are all capable of pulling of an upset.
In Division Two most people are looking towards a Souhegan, Pelham rematch but Sanborn, John Stark and St. Thomas Aquinas will also be in the mix and are talented enough to pull a Bedford from last season.
Division III and IV are where you find heavy favorites in Campbell and Newport respectively. Campbell has once again been impressive and I am not sure anyone touches them in D3. The Cougars have only given up 41 points in six games. That’s impressive.
The New Hampshire playoffs begin next week and it is a three week sprint to a championship. One of the best tournaments in New England. Always fun.
Rhode Island
Shea upset LaSalle last night 27-21 in overtime. It was the Raiders first win of the season and a tough loss for the Rams who are going to struggle to defend their crown when the playoffs start next week.
Middletown beat Lincoln 21-0 last week and staked their claim as the top team in Division 3. The Islanders are looking to make a return trip to the Super Bowl this year but win it this time.
Bishop Hendricken is on the road in the regular season finale when they take on East Providence. The Hawks are looking to close a 7-1 regular season.
Cumberland puts their undefeated record on the line when they travel to Mt. Pleasant. The Kilties are 5-2 but they are skilled and can make big plays. Expect a tight game.
North Kingstown will look to bounce back when they visit Central in a crucial match-up for both teams.
Vermont
The playoffs kick off in Vermont and the most intriguing match-up of the first round is Middlebury hosting St. Johnsbury in a 4 vs. 5 match-up. Can Middlebury make another long playoff run? We shall see.
Fair Haven appears to be the favorite in D2 but they draft an intresting first round opponent in Milton. They might be 3-5 but they will be a tough out. They are physical.
Windsor is the favorite in D3 but Otter Valley and Woodstock are more than capable of challenging them and making a run.
CVU draws a tough first round oppoenent in Essex. If you are looking for an upset special in D1, this might be it. CVU is good however and primed to repeat as champs.
Burr & Burton started strong but faded down the stretch. The Bulldogs are is a good team but I am not sure they are the contender we thought they were. Brattleboro will be a test for them this week.