I was cruising along but last week was not a good week. At least by my standards. I went 7-9 on the week. Bad week. Need a bounce back this week. Hopefully I get it otherwise, I will be officially on a losing streak.
Here we gooooo…….
High School
North Attleboro at Canton: The Red Rocketeers will be looking to avenge last season’s loss to Canton and they get it done in what should be a close game between two evenly matched teams. Final Score: North 14 Canton 12
Central Catholic at Methuen: Central Catholic is playing some good football right and while this is a prime let down spot after last week’s win against X, I am putting my faith in John Sexton’s squad to win a close one. Final Score: C.C 28, Methuen 21
Randolph at Cohasset: The Abe Cornet, Michael Wildfire quarterback match-up should be fun. Despite that, I am going with Randolph here in what should be a terrific game between two teams who win in different ways. Final Score: Randolph 28, Cohasset 21
Medway at Medfield: Good TVL match-up here between the top two programs on the small side. Expect a back and forth affair. Give me Brady McCormack and the Warriors. Final Score: Medfield 21, Medway 14
Cumberland at Salem (NH): Cumberland already owns an interstate win over Reading this year and had a barn burner with Salem last season. The Clippers are hitting their stride and I think they will go to the Granite State and come home with a big win. Final Score: Cumberland 22, Salem 18
Fairfield Prep at West Haven: Both teams enter the game at 3-1. I am tempted to go Fairfield Prep here but I can’t pick against Westie at home. Give me the Blue Devils in a tight one. Final Score: West Haven 28 Fairfield Prep 20
Wilton at Staples: Both teams are coming in undefeated. Wilton has been impressive but so has Staples. Home field matters in this one. It is hard for me to pick against Nick Weil and the Wreckers. Give me Staples in a high scoring affair. Staples 30, Wilton 28
Wolcott at Seymour: Seymour is off to a good start including a win over Ansonia a couple of weeks ago. I think Wildcats running back Connor Shea is the difference in this one. Give me Seymour in what should be a terrific match up. Final Score: Seymour 30, Wolcott 21
Bonny Eagle at Portland: Portland had a tough week last and then lost to rival Thornton Academy in a tough loss. It does not get any easier this week with a talented and tough Bonny Eagle team coming to town. I think this game will be close but the Scots have the edge. Final Score: Bonny Eagles 17, Portland 14
Burr & Burton at Hartford: B&B is back and tonight will be a true litmus test for the Bulldogs. I think they will impress but I have learned my lesson. I am not picking against Hartford anymore. Hurricanes by 7. Final Score: Hartford 28, Burr and Burton 21
College
Clemson at Boston College: The Eagles no-showed last week but I don’t think that will be the case tomorrow night. I think Bill O’Brien’s team plays with pride but I don’t think they win. Give me Clemson by 10 plus. Final Score: Clemson 35, Boston College 24
Brown at Bryant: Back to back Friday night games for the Bears against in state rivals. I think this game will be tight but Brown is feeling it right now and it is hard to pick against James Perry’s squad. I like the Bears by a touchdown. Final Score: Brown 31, Bryant 24
UMass at Kent State: Kent State was one of the two games I felt most confident about UMass winning. That was before the season. I think the Minutemen play their best game of the season but fall short. Final Score: Kent State 21, UMass 17
Yale at Dartmouth: These two always play tight games and I wouldn’t expect anything different in this one. Both teams love to pound the rock and look to make big plays in the passing game. Games like this come down to fourth quarter stops on defense. I think Dartmouth will make a couple of more down the stretch and survive. Final Score: Darmouth 24, Yale 21
New Hampshire at Rhode Island: Big game for both teams if they want to stay in the CAA title hunt and the at-large playoff birth picture. Another tight game with URI pulling it out in the end. Rams need it or their season could really take a bad turn. Final Score: URI 21, UNH 17
Patriots
Patriots at Saints: I hate to say it, but this has trap game written all over it. I am going to pick the Patriots because they are the better team but this Saints team worries me. I am not going to lie. If you told me on Sunday at 4:20 pm that the Patriots lost, I would believe you. As bad as they are, this New Orleans team is still talented. Final Score: Patriots 30, Saints 21