Not as many top games this week, but still a good slate. We are getting to the middle of the season, so the real strong teams are moving to the forefront.
Let’s take a look.
Wayland at Shawsheen — This actually might be the best game of the weekend. Wayland is off to a 3-0 start and has only allowed 12 points all season. Shawsheen is coming off a win over a good Norwood team and may be a little underrated at this point.
Milton at Weymouth — After losing to Needham in the opening week, Milton has recovered and looks good. The offense is getting better each week. Weymouth has been dominant, with just 12 points allowed all season. This is the toughest test for Weymouth so far.
Central Catholic at Xaverian — Xaverian is coming off its first loss of the season in a close game against Springfield Central. Central Catholic has defeats to Springfield Central and St John’s Prep. Xaverian should be the favorite, but this should be a competitive game.
Needham at Walpole — Needham is one of those teams that has lived up to expectations. This is a legit top 10 team that is creeping up on the top 5. Walpole has had a tough start, but still has the talent to turn things around with quarterback Noah Mackenzie.
Barnstable at Dennis-Yarmouth —This is good enough to be considered the Game of the Year on the Cape. Barnstable is unbeaten, and has a legit running game with backs Jayson Dyer and KaRon Ford. D-Y QB Jayden Barber is worth the price of admission.
Norwell at Abington — These are two small-school powers who only have one loss each. Abington’s only loss is to Duxbury, while Norwell fell to Scituate. These are two teams that will be heard from in the D6 playoffs later on down the line.
Dartmouth at Apponequet — Apponequet may be 0-3, but has played a tough schedule and is capable of turning things around. Dartmouth is coming off a tough loss to a good Old Rochester team. This is one of the best games on the South Coast.
Methuen at Andover —These teams have had remarkably similar games with Chelmsford, with Methuen winning 38-36, and Andover taking a 38-35 win. Outside of that, these two are indeed pretty evenly matched, and this should be a close game.
Natick at Wachusett — Natick has been playing well, with its only loss to a very good Needham team. Wachusett is coming off a nice, 35-30 win over Minnechaug. Natick might have the advantage in the trenches here, but Wachusett can hang.
Westford Academy at Leominster — Leominster just lost in convincing fashion to a loaded Catholic Memorial team. Westford Academy is 2-1 with its only loss to Billerica. Any Blue Devils game is going to be fun with QB Osiris Lopez.
Triton at North Reading — Paul Sobolewski has done a great job with the Triton program, as this is a 3-0 team that is getting better each week. North Reading is an established power in the Cape Ann League that has had a lot of success in recent years.
Masconomet at Peabody — The Chieftains have been a bit of a surprise team with a win over Billerica, and the only loss to Winchester. Peabody has beaten Winchester but lost to Swampscott. This is a good game between two teams looking to go on a run.
Randolph at Mashpee — Randolph has to be considered one of the favorites in D8. The Blue Devils are big and have good speed at the skill positions. Mashpee has one of the most dynamic skill players in D7 with Ben Squarcia. This one is a tossup.
Reading at Woburn — Woburn is a 2-1 team whose only loss is to Burlington. Reading is undefeated and is coming off a nice win over Cumberland. This is a classic Middlesex League matchup between two good teams.
St. Sebastian’s at Milton Academy — These are two 1-1 teams that lost to unbeaten Belmont Hill and BB&N, respectively. For NEPSAC bowl purposes, neither one of these teams wants another loss. Milton QB Qur’an McNeill is one of the best in the state.
Avon Old Farms at Brunswick — Brunswick is probably the favorite here, as this team has jumped off to a fast start. Although Avon Old Farms has lost to Hun, that is probably the best prep school team in the Northeast. This should be a fun matchup.
Masuk at Bunnell — Masuk is coming off a win over New Canaan that might have been the most surprising win of the weekend. Bunnell is 3-0, but likely the underdog here. Masuk is looking to build off last week and is a tough out.
Middlebury at Champlain Valley Union — Champlain Valley Union has been utterly dominant in getting out to a 5-0 record. Middlebury only has one loss, to Rutland by a touchdown. This could be Champlain Valley Union’s closest game to date.
Salem at Pinkerton Academy — Pinkerton is very close to the best team in New Hampshire, which you might concede to Bedford at this point. but the Astros have an argument. Salem is 2-2 but is the underdog here.
Thornton Academy at Noble — Noble was a team in Maine that many people were predicting would have a good year. They have been correct, as Noble is 4-0. Thornton Academy is the best team in Maine, and has only lost to Bedford of New Hampshire.
La Salle Academy at Bishop Hendricken — The usual Game of the Year in Rhode Island, until they meet again in the playoffs. La Salle’s only two losses are to Catholic Conference powers St. John’s Prep and BC High. Hendricken is coming off a one-point loss to Greenwich. Hendricken might be the favorite here.