With only a handful of football games scheduled between today and Thanksgiving, there’s no better time than now to look at the many potential --- and confirmed --- playoff matchups around the state.
With Eastern Massachusetts abiding by different rules and formats than Central and Western Mass., this is as complete as possible. Please keep in mind that many playoff berths are still up for grabs when Turkey Day comes around. Heck, some may still be left to a coin toss after Thanksgiving.
For now, though, here is a look at the playoff picture around the state. Throughout the week, we'll get look at each and every division in each of the three regions. Today, we'll start with Divisions I, IA, II and IIA in Eastern Massachusetts:
Billerica standout quarterback and safety Nick LaSpada led the way for the Indians in a 34-6 win over Central Catholic, which clinched the MVC Large title and playoff berth.
DIVISION I
Billerica vs. Everett
With both teams securing their spots with Week 10 wins, Billerica vs. Everett is an intriguing matchup.
With the Merrimack Valley Large competing in Division I for the first time since the realignment, there didn’t seem to be a learning curve. Billerica, Central Catholic and at times Chelmsford and Andover played well at the state’s highest level. In the end, though, Billerica stood head and shoulders above the rest. That was confirmed Friday when sophomore quarterback Nick LaSpada and Co. routed Central Catholic for the league title and playoff berth.
A perennial power, Everett had a “down” regular season. Of course, a two-loss year is nearly unheard of in Everett, where Super Bowl appearances are the norm. The Crimson Tide lost early-season contests to Division II power Dracut and Xaverian, arguably the top team in the state.
The key to this game will clearly be the way Everett’s explosive and athletic defense handles LaSpada, an equal threat on the ground and through the air. Save for Everett’s uncharacteristic 48-14 loss to Dracut, the Tide defense has done a tremendous job all season. The unit limited Xaverian to one its lowest point totals all season and handled well all other opponents, including strong teams in Leominster, St. John’s Prep, B.C. High and Malden. Everett will certainly need another strong defensive showing against Billerica as LaSpada has ran for seven and tossed for 21 touchdowns on the year, 17 of which have gone to Jim Holland, Wayne Bolz and Ryan Donahue.
Joe Colton is one of the reasons why Xaverian is considered the top team in the state heading into Thanksgiving Day. (Rich Dugas File Photo)
Brockton vs. Xaverian/St. John’s Prep/B.C. High
Brockton has already clinched the Big 3 title and playoff berth and awaits either Xaverian, St. John’s Prep or B.C. High.
The situation in the Catholic Conference should tell you just how strong it is. As noted already, Xaverian is arguably the state’s top team with a perfect 10-0 record that includes wins over Brockton, Xaverian, Everett, Bridgewater-Raynham, St. John’s Shrewsbury, B.C. High and Catholic Memorial.
Yet, the Prep, which remains under the .500 mark with a 4-5 record, has a chance to represent the Catholic Conference with a Turkey Day-win over rival Xaverian.
Throw in B.C. High, which struggled mightily early on this season after finishing last year as the best team in Massachusetts, and we have quite the predicament.
If Xaverian beats St. John’s Prep, then the Hawks will win the league and the playoff berth. If the Prep pulls off the upset and B.C. High handles Catholic Memorial, there will be a tie-breaker with each team going 1-1 against the others. If B.C. High falls to CM and St. John’s wins, the Prep is playoff bound.
Got it? Good.
It should be noted that Brockton has already played all three teams this season. The Boxers routed B.C. High in Week 1, lost to Xaverian, 14-7, in Week 3 and defeated St. John’s in Week 4, 17-14.
DIVISION IA
Gloucester vs. Westford/Acton-Boxboro
For all intents and purposes, Gloucester won the Northeastern Conference Large three weeks ago when the Fishermen handled Lynn English with ease. They put the finishing touches on the NEC last week in a win over Lynn Classical.
Gloucester’s opponent will be decided on Thanksgiving when Westford and Acton-Boxboro square off. Westford Academy is in the driver’s seat, heading into the rivalry game atop the Dual County Large at 4-0. A-B is in second place at 3-1, but a win would force a tie, which the Colonials would win via the head-to-head tiebreaker.
As if this Thanksgiving Day rivalry needed any more ammunition…
Weymouth/Needham/Framingham vs. Barnstable/B-R/Taunton
We know the Old Colony League tiebreaker coin toss will take place Tuesday --- at the Sagamore Beach Friendly’s of all places --- but it’s certainly worth mentioning the ifs and buts surrounding this playoff game.
Heading into Week 10, all Taunton needed to do was beat Bridgewater-Raynham. Had the Tigers done that, they would be in the playoffs. Barnstable’s win over Attleboro, combined with B-R’s win over Taunton created a bottleneck at the top of the OCL and the coin will be flipped tomorrow to decide the winner.
In the Bay State Carey, Weymouth and Needham head into Thanksgiving Day at 7-3. Framingham is 6-4. If Framingham defeats Natick and both Weymouth and Needham fall, there will be a three-way tie for first place.
It should be said that Framingham, Weymouth and Needham have especially tough tasks in Natick, Walpole and Wellesley, respectively, the top three teams in the Bay State Herget.
DIVISION II
Reading vs. Dracut/Methuen
Reading will take on the winner of the Thansgiving Day matchup of Dracut and Methuen. With both teams sporting identical 3-0 league and 8-2 overall records, the two rivals square off for all the marbles. While it could be argued that Dracut played a tougher non-league schedule, Methuen defeated Central Catholic and played Billerica to virtually the same score Dracut did. The Middies lost to Central Catholic and fell to Billerica, 28-21. Methuen lost to Chelmsford and fell to Billerica, 27-21.
Reading has simply dominated the opposition from square one. The Rockets are 10-0 overall and a perfect 7-0 in the Middlesex League. Even an injury to scoring machine Tino Perrina couldn’t slow down Reading, which relies heavily on Ryan Pollock in the backfield.
Zack Price has been a contributor on the Panthers' stellar offense this season.
Natick vs. Franklin/King Philip
Natick knocked off Walpole in Week 10 for the Bay State’s Division II berth and awaits the winner between Franklin and King Philip, which battle on Thanksgiving Day.
Franklin is currently in first place in the Hockomock at 7-0 (10-0 overall) but a loss to King Philip would mean a season-ending, first-place tie, which the Warriors would hold the tie-breaker in.
In a loaded Hockomock, Franklin has risen to the top. Each week, the Panthers have proven to be worthy of the league’s playoff berth with wins over Mansfield, Foxboro and North Attleboro. King Philip has impressed also, but a Week 8 loss to Mansfield has kept Franklin alone in first place.
We’ll see on Thanksgiving if things remain that way.
DIVISION IIA
Masconomet/North Andover vs. Bedford/Concord-Carlisle
Considered the favorite from the start of the year, Masconomet has one more test to pass in the Cape Ann Large before heading to the postseason. The Chieftains are a perfect 4-0 (8-2 overall) in CAL play but 3-1 (8-2 overall) North Andover has a chance to shock with a Thanksgiving Day win. Masconomet’s two losses came out of league play to powers Reading and Gloucester. North Andover lost to Division I Andover and league foe Newburyport.
The other team in this Division IIA matchup will also be decided on Turkey Day when Bedford and Concord-Carlisle meet up. Both teams will enter their Thanksgiving Day rivalry game 4-0 in the Dual County Small with the league championship and playoff berth on the line.
Marshfield vs. Duxbury
With Marshfield clinching the Atlantic Coast and Duxbury the Patriot Keenan this past week, these teams have plenty of time for preparation. Add in the fact that these two teams square off on Thanksgiving --- just five days prior to the playoff game --- and these two powerhouses will get to know each other pretty well over the next few weeks.
Duxbury struggled to start the year. After an amazing run in 2008, Duxbury lost its first two games and appeared to be heading in the wrong direction. The Dragons, however, have reeled off eight straight wins, running the table in the Patriot.
After three weeks, Marshfield was 1-2, having lost to Dracut and Bridgewater-Raynham. But the Rams have won seven straight, including a Week 8 bout with Falmouth for the ACL title.
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