The postseason kicks off in the MIAA, and there is playoff football in other parts of New England, too.

Some great games to watch this week, and the intensity gets ramped up now.

On to the games.

Week 10 High School Preview

Franklin at Methuen — This is a great game between two 7-1 teams. The only loss for Franklin came at the hands of a tough Central Catholic team. Coach Todd Kiley has done a terrific job in his first year there. Methuen has been on a roll of late.

Weymouth at Central Catholic — Central has played as good a schedule as anyone in the state. The three losses are to Springfield Central, St. John’s Prep, and Xavrian. Weymouth is coming in off a loss to Wellesley, but the Wildcats can run the ball well.

Wachusett at Needham — Wachusett is coming in a little bit like a sleeper. The Mountaineers have late-season wins over Milton and Walpole. Needham is considered one of the favorites in D1. The Rockets can run the ball behind top back Aidan Wiilliams.

Westford Academy at Leominster — These teams played in the regular season, with Leominster winning, 42-33. These teams also played last year, with Leominster winning that, too. Watch the quarterbacks, Leominster’s Osiris Lopez, and Westford’s Alex Wilson.

Brockton at Xaverian — More than anything, we want to see this one because of the history between the two programs. This was the top nonleague rivalry in the state for years, before Brockton discontinued it. Xaverian is the heavy favorite here.

Natick at Springfield Central — Let’s get this out of the way first: Springfield Central should not be a No. 7 seed. It should be higher. Central beat Xaverian and Central Catholic, and is unbeaten against Massachusetts competition. Natick is strong up front.

Andover at BC High — This is an intriguing matchup. Yes, BC High is the favorite, and should be. The Eagles only have a loss to St. John’s Prep, and own a win over Xaverian. Andover is a young team, especially up front, but don’t discount the chance of an upset here.

Arlington at King Philip — Arlington has come on this year as a team to watch out of the Middlesex League. Arlington is very good up front, and could make life difficult there for the KP. The Warriors have been rolling along, and this team just wins.

North Quincy at Barnstable — An interesting game here. North Quincy can make a game of this. The North Quincy program has steadily gotten better each year, and is a viable threat in D2. Barnstable has been balanced on offense and has played a tough schedule.

Westboro at West Springfield — Westboro has flown under the radar a little bit, but has had a good season. This team owns a nice win over Nashoba, and the only loss is to Burlington. West Springfield has been throwing it all over teams this season.

Woburn at North Attleboro — North Attleboro comes in as the favorite, and always does pretty well in the postseason. Linebacker and running back Ryan Bannon is up there with the best two-way players in the state. Woburn has an excellent running game, as well.

Milton at Dartmouth — These two teams are ones that might be a little better than their records indicate. Milton is only 3-5,  but is coming off a season in 2023 when the Wildcats won the D3 state title. Dartmouth has speed to burn and will be a tough out.

Doherty at Mansfield — Doherty may not be as good as some of its past teams, but the Highlanders at 5-3 have three losses that have all been by one touchdown. Mansfield at 5-3 has also played a very difficult schedule, and the Hornets are just solid.

Norwood at Marblehead — Norwood has played a very tough schedule, and its losses are to King Philip, Shawsheen, Canton, and Holliston. Norwood runs the ball well, and coach Manny Lopes has the Mustangs pointed in the right direction. Marblehead is always tough.

Bedford at Grafton — Also in D4, Bedford is another team that might be better than its seed (14). The Bucs own quality wins over Canton and Newburyport. Grafton is 8-0 and has been on a roll all season. The defense has given up five touchdowns all season.

Wayland at Burlington — No. 10 in D4 Wayland is another team that may be better than its seed. The Warriors are strong on both sides of the ball, and have only lost to Shawsheen. Burlington has only lost to Stoneham. Both of these teams are capable of big things.

Danvers at Foxboro — There are not a ton of enticing matchups in D5 for the first round, but this is one. The Falcons are only 3-5, but possess a win over a good Peabody team. Foxboro, as usual, should be able to run the ball well, and just beat North Attleboro.

St. Mary’s at Sandwich — In D6, you’re looking at a first round game that could be a state semifinal in other years. St. Mary’s has one of the top skill players around in Tyler Guy. Sandwich runs the double wing to perfection, and will be tough to stop.

Winthrop at Abington — Another fun one in D6 is Winthrop heading down to the South Shore to face the Green Wave. Winthrop has beaten Danvers, and only lost to Shawsheen, Stoneham and Swampscott. Abington owns a one-point win over Sandwich.

Bay Path at Swampscott — This is another interesting one in D6. Bay Path is 8-0, with quality wins over Clinton, Auburn, and Narragansett. Bay Path runs it very well. Swampscott has played a tough schedule, and has only lost to St. Mary’s and Melrose.

Dennis-Yarmouth at Lynnfield — Both of these teams are sort of ones that nobody wants to play. Dennis-Yarmouth’s skill group is as good as anyone’s in the division. Lynnfield has been underrated, with its only loss to D3 power North Attleboro.

West Bridgewater at Cohasset — These are two programs who are no stranger to postseason success. West Bridgewater is 4-3, but one of those wins is over a good Bourne team. Cohasset is 3-5 but has played a super-strong schedule to this point.

Bourne at KIPP — Bourne is 5-3, but has lost its last three, to Fairhaven, West Bridgewater, and Seekonk. The Canalmen are still dangerous, though, and will provide a stiff challenge to KIPP. Both of these teams are capable of going on a deep tournament run.

Pingree at Dexter — Dexter comes in as the favorite here, but this is one of the top rivalries in the Evergreen League, so anything can happen here. Dexter has one of the best offensive lines in the NEPSAC, and is looking at a NEPSAC bowl game next week.

Hand at Notre Dame (WH) — Hand has been one of the best teams in Connecticut this year, and really is most every season. Notre Dame is 4-3, and has good wins over North Haven and Cheshire. Hand will be favored here, but Notre Dame is a worthy opponent.

Noble at Bonny Eagle — A good one here in the Class A playoffs in Maine. These teams played in the regular season, with Bonny Eagle taking a 21-14 win. Bonny Eagle should be favored again, but Noble is capable of turning the tables here.

Nashua South vs. Bishop Guertin — Nashua South only has losses to Bedford and Goffstown. Bishop Guertin is 5-4, with a group of very close wins along the way. These teams can both make some noise in D1.

Cranston West at Portsmouth — These teams are competing in the Division 1 Bowl Playoffs. Portsmouth is coming off the most stunning result of the season in Rhode Island, a 24-21 win over Bishop Hendricken. Cranston West beat Portsmouth in the regular season.

Champlain Valley Union vs. Rutland — All right, this one is for all the marbles in Vermont D1. Rutland has had a fine season, and has only lost to Essex. CVU has been terrific all season. This team has not beat a single opponent by less than double digits.