The football season is chugging along and we have some great matchups this week at all three levels.
Here are some of the best games of the weekend at all three levels and my picks.
High School
LaSalle Academy at St. John’s Prep: It is a battle of the number one team in Rhode Island versus the number one team in Massachusetts. The Prep has dominated this rivalry and will look to continue their winning ways. LaSalle is better, so expect a more competitive game. Prep should still get the win.
Pick: St. John’s Prep
Natick at Mansfield: Mansfield’s defense has been elite and they are playing with a lot of confidence. Natick is talented but young. They will struggle with the senior laden Hornets.
Pick: Mansfield
Central Catholic at Xaverian: Both teams need win s coming off loses. The Red Raiders beat the Hawks last season so revenge will be on the mind of the X Men. I think this will be a good game but X pulls away late.
Pick: Xaverian
Andover at Methuen: The MVC is loaded with great match ups this week, with this one taking the cake. We could have a shootout in this one. I’m leading John Stadler and the Warriors in this one. Give me Andover.
Pick: Andover
St. Mary’s at Shawsheen: Rivalry game which means it’ll be special. Expect a back and forth affair with the Rams pulling away late to win their 31st in a row.
Pick: Shawsheen
Cheshire at Staples: Battle of two undefeated teams that are looking to make a mark in their respective classes. Staples has a high flying offense that could score against anybody. I expect a close game but I think the Wreckers are for real. I am taking them at home.
Pick: Staples
North Kingstown at Cranston West: Public school matchup of the year in Rhode Island. This could be a high scoring game. Cranston West is coming off of an impressive win at Westfield last week. It is going to be hard to pick against them. Give me the Falcons.
Pick: Cranston West
Bedford at Bishop Guertin: Bedford isn’t quite as good as they have been in recent years, but don’t sleep on the Bulldogs. Bishop Guertin has not yet been challenged, outscoring opponents 196-46 through the first four weeks. That is why I am picking the Cardinals in this one.
Pick: Bishop Guertin
Portland at Thornton Academy: Thornton Academy once again looks like the team to beat in Class A in Maine this season. Portland is also off to an undefeated start and could challenge the Trojans in Class A along with Bonny Eagle. This should be a good game but it is tough to pick against the Trojans rushing attack.
Pick: Thornton Academy
Colchester at St. Johnsbury: Colchester has impressed this fall, but St. Johnsbury still looks like the clear top team in Vermont. The Hilltoppers have outscored opponents 158-26 through four weeks. Rich Alercio’s team is legit.
Pick: St. Johnsbury
NEPSAC
BB&N at Avon Old Farms: This is arguably the top team BB&N will see all season. AOF is coming off a tough loss to Brunswick while the Knights are coming off of hard fought win over Trinity-Pawling. I expect a much closer game than last season with the Winged Beavers pulling away late.
Pick: Avon Old Farms
Tabor at Milton Academy: High profile quarterback matchup between two Hingham natives in Peter Bourque and Hudson Garrity. Expect plenty of fireworks from the two most talented teams in the ISL. in the end, Tabor has a little too much for Milton.
Pick: Tabor Academy
College
Boston College at SMU: It is hard to see the Eagles competing in this game with their passing game struggling the way it has. Maybe they keep it close for a half but that’s as good as it gets.
Pick: SMU
Eastern Michigan at UMass: The Minutemen are making history with each and every week. Expect them to make more this week in what should be a tight game in front of a sellout crowd. Pop and company make enough plays down the stretch to pull away.
Pick: UMass
Syracuse at UConn: The Huskies are coming off of a tough loss at Miami of Ohio and will need to play much better if they want to pull off the upset. Syracuse is solid and won’t be a winnable game despite the Huskies success at home. I would love to pick them in this one but I just do not see it happening.
Pick: Syracuse
Brown at URI: The Governors Cup is at stake for these long time in state rivals. This year’s game is truly a toss up which is not something I thought I would say heading into the season. It will come down to the fourth quarter and whichever team plays takes care of the football and plays mistake free will win. I like the Bears to get it done.
Pick: Brown
Merrimack at Yale: Bulldogs need a win over a rough outing last week at Cornell. Merrimack has won two of their last three and are playing some good football. This game will be tighter than most expect. I expect Yale to pull away late in a tight one.
Pick: Yale
Colgate at Harvard: Colgate enters the game at 4-1 so they are far from a push over. I expect a good back and forth game with Harvard winning it late on a last season field goal.
Pick: Harvard
Patriots
Patriots at Bills: The Patriots will be shorthanded going into Buffalo to face the Bills. They will be without Christian Gonzalez or Christian Barmore on top of the injuries they already have. Unfortunately, it is going to be a long afternoon as a result. Even if Drake Maye plays well, it won’t matter. Bills will roll.
Pick: Bills