The high school season is finally here.
Everyone’s undefeated, and hopes are high. There are some great matchups set for this weekend, and we will know a lot more about these teams now that these games have started.
Do yourself a favor, and go see one of these matchups. Heck, see two or three.
Here’s what is on tap.
Bishop Feehan at Xaverian — This is an interesting one. Feehan has one of the top young quarterbacks in the area in junior Owen Mordas. Xaverian has a. fearsome defense in line with some of the great ones the Hawks have had over the years.
King Philip at Walpole — A matchup of two top 10 teams in the state, King Philip is riding high off winning last year’s D2 state title. KP has a litany of great running backs. Walpole has one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Noah Mackenzie.
Marshfield at St. John’s Prep — Another major top 10 battle here. Marshfield has showed well in these matchups with the Prep. The Rams always battle the Prep tough. Prep quarterback Chris Vargas is only a freshman, but already a good one.
Apponequet at Middleboro — This is an underrated matchup between two of the top programs in the South. Apponequet has one of the top backs in the area in Brody Joly, while the Sachems have a lot back. This could go either way.
Braintree at Weymouth — The Bay State Conference playing league games early has been a nice little twist to the start of the season. Braintree has top back James Curry, while Cam Aieta is a runner to watch for Weymouth.
Milton at Needham — Speaking of great BSC games to start the season, how about this one? This would be a great playoff game. Needham probably brings back more, but Milton is right there. These are two state title contenders.
Abington at Duxbury — This is a terrific game between two of the best programs not just on the South Shore, but the state. Duxbury has kind of flown under the radar, but quarterback Trevor Jones will have the Dragons ready.
Barnstable at Bridgewater-Raynham — Another game that has two teams very familiar with each other over the years. New B-R coach Eian Bain takes over a proud program that would like nothing more than to start the season 1-0.
Foxboro at Scituate — Another huge showdown between two of the best programs in the state. Foxboro brings back a big offensive line and a speedy running back in Ben Angelini. Scituate has a top WR back in Lawson Foley.
Franklin at Central Catholic — The Todd Kiley Era opens for Franklin. The former Holliston coach takes over a Franklin program that has been one of the best in the Hockomock League. Central is young, but talented, and will be a handful here.
North Attleboro at Lynn Classical — A very interesting intersectional battle here between the Rams in the north and the Red Rocketeers in the South. North has a four-year starter at quarterback in Chse Frisoli and linebacker Ryan Bannon.
Mansfield at Everett — The last time these two teams played was 2018, as Mike Sainristil and the Crimson Tide overwhelmed the Hornets in Mansfield. This figures to be a closer game, and could go either way.
Marblehead at Bishop Fenwick — Bishop Fenwick is a program that is hoping to get back to the postseason after being sanctioned out of it in 2023. Marblehead was just outside our top 40 teams when we did our previews, but could move up.
Mashpee at Dennis-Yarmouth — A year ago, Dennis-Yarmoouth outlasted Mashpee in a 40-38 final for one of the games of the year. D-Y’s Jayden Barber and Mashpee’s Dominic Matteodo are tremendous quarterbacks with good weapons.
Melrose at Peabody — Melrose is looking to return to form out of the Middlesex League, while Peabody is hoping to make a good run out of D2 this season. The Tanners have decent size and should be the slight favorite here.
Methuen at Lincoln-Sudbury — Methuen should have another strong offensive showing with the return of running back Shane Eason and wide receiver Josh Kwakye. L-S lost a lot from last year, but is always competitive.
Salem at Danvers — Salem lost a lot from last year’s D6 state finalist team, while Danvers is a consistent threat out of the NEC. The Witches feel like they have reloaded, though, and this should be an interesting battle.
Shrewsbury at Hudson — This is another intriguing game between two of the best teams in Central Mass. Shrewsbury has a big line, and should be able to run the ball well. Hudon has one of the top quarterbacks in the area in Jake Attaway.
St. John’s (S) at Leominster — This is another game that features two of the best from Central Mass. St. John’s is hoping to reestablish itself before starting Catholic Conference play. Osiris Lopez for Leominster is a D1-offered quarterback.
Wachusett at Wayland — You don’t see this matchup very often, but it’s a great game between one of the best in Central Mass. and an emerging Wayland team. Recent Bucknell commit Max Dresens is a top RB and LB for Wayland.
Milford at Westfield — Westfield did not make our countdown, but is still one of the top teams in Western Mass. Milford was one of the best teams we saw in the preseason. The Scarlet Hawks have speed, and a very good skill position group.
Winthrop vs. Stoneham at Woburn — This should be one of those games that’s played on the ground. Both teams know how to really run the ball. Running back Nicholas Cappuccio is a top-shelf runner for the Vikings.
Cardinal Hayes (NY) at Catholic Memorial — One of two games that feature top teams from New York, Catholic Memorial is taking on one of the Empire State’s best. Look for a heavy dose of RB Mekhi Dodd for the Knights.
Iona Prep (NY) at Springfield Central — Iona Prep might be the best team from New York, and Central could be the best team in Massachusetts. Super sophomores Jareth Staine (QB) and Isaiah Rogers (RB) will factor into this one.