It is another week of great games in New England Football. Here are the top high school and college match ups and who wins. I also give you my prediction for Sunday night’s Patriots at Bills game.
I went 16-4 in my picks last week so I am looking to continue that trend this week.
Here are this week’s picks.
High School
Xaverian at Central Catholic: The Hawks are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Springfield Central. It will not be easy against a Central Catholic team that is battle tested thanks to a tough schedule but give me the Hawks in a high scoring affair. Final Score: Xaverian 35, Central Catholic 21
King Philip at Natick: The Warriors are 29-1 in their last 30 games. Brian Lee’s team has been the standard for public schools the past eight years. If Natick thinks they are legit, they have to win this game. Our Tyler Amaral thinks it’ll be close and going with the Warriors to pull it out late again. Final Score: King Philip 17, Natick 14 (Tyler Amaral)
Bishop Hendricken at La Salle: Always one of the top sporting events of the year in the Ocean State. Both of these programs come limping in at 2-2 but this game will change the fortunes of one of these teams. It will be Hendricken. Hawks will once again run the ball well, get timely stops on defense and pull out another close win against their rivals. Final Score: Hendricken 21, La Salle 17
Staples at Darien: One of the best games of the weekend in the region. Both teams come into this game undefeated at 3-0. The Blue Wave have rolled through three weeks and haven’t skipped despite losing their former quarterback and several players to graduation. The Wreckers have picked up where they left under first year coach and former Wrecker Matt Jacowleff. I expect this to be a back and forth but I have Wreckers surviving by a touchdown. Final Score: Staples 28, Darien 21
New Canaan at St. Joe’s: Another Saturday special between two of the top programs in Connecticut. The Rams are the number one team in the state for a reason. Andrew Esposito and company are the real deal once again. Cadets keep it close for a half but Lou Martinelli’s squad pulls away in the second half. Final Score: New Canaan 35, St. Joe’s 21
Thornton Academy at Portland: Nick Cliche’s Bulldogs have picked up where they left off last season. They have been dominate thus far but the Trojans are the litmus test. We will find out a lot about this Portland team the next two weeks. Thornton tonight, Bonny Eagle next week. I love the skill match up in this game. Cordell Jones for the Bulldogs and Mauricio Sunderlund for the Trojans. Should be a good one. I’m going with the home team. Final Score: Portland 35, Thornton Academy 28
Hartford at Middlebury: Lots on the line tonight in a game that will impact playoff seeding down the road. The Hurricanes have been rolling and are first in the SVL. The Tigers have played tighter games and are currently second. For whatever reason, I am thinking upset here. I’m going with the Tigers at home in a shootout. Middlebury 35, Hartford VT 28
Exeter at Bedford: The Bulldogs usually win with defense but it has been their offense that has been the story thus far. The defense will do enough in this one to keep the Dawgs undefeated. Final Score: Bedford 28, Exeter 14
Avon Old Farms at Choate: Choate has dominated this rivalry of late but AOF is looking to flip the script. I think this game will be close for a while but the Winged Beavers have the talent edge and they pull away in the second half. Final Score: Avon Old Farms 28, Choate 20
Milton Academy at St. Paul’s: I love the quarterback match up here of Qu’ran McNeill and Webber Marx. Should be a fun game but this St. Paul’s team know how to win late. Thats why I am picking them in a close one. St. Paul’s 21, Milton Academy 18
College
Boston College at Pitt: The Eagles face a must win at Pitt. They can ill-afford to fall to 1-4. Pitt’s two loses are to West Virginia and Louisville. This will be a tough ask but I’m going with the Eagles. They pick up a much needed win on the road. Final Score: Boston College 31, Pitt 28
Western Michigan at UMass: The Minutemen played Missouri tough for a half and the hope is they can carry over some that positive play in this one. I think they will. They will be competitive but still fall short. Final Score: Western Michigan 31, UMass 20
Rhode Island at Brown: The Rams are coming off a blowout loss to Western Michigan and chomping at the bit to get back on track. It won’t be easy against an improved Brown team. Despite, I expect the Rams to take care of business. Final Score: URI 26 Brown 14
FIU at UConn: The Huskies are 3-2 so that’s a good thing. They just haven’t looked as clean or consistent as Huskies fans were hoping for. FIU is not bad. This will be a game. I like the Huskies in another close one. Final Score: UConn 21, FIU 17
Villanova at New Hampshire: Big two game stretch coming up for the Wildcats. Villanova this week and URI next week. Cats need this one to keep pace in the CAA. I think they get a much needed win in conference to set up a huge game next week. Final Score: New Hampshire 24, Villanova 21
Patriots
Patriots at Bills (SNF): The Patriots played Buffalo tough up there last season and fell just short. I expect more the same in this one. I think the Patriots will come to play but the Bills are the better team. Give me Buffalo by 10+: Final score: Bills 28, Patriots 17