It’s a huge, turning point week for a handful of programs.
As many as half-dozen teams face gut checks, or decisive games this week, huge tests.
Here goes the quest to get back in the game.
Thursday
North Andover at Lawrence … North Andover, struggling and rebuilding, has to be looking at this one like one it can win. Lawrence has to look at this one as one it should win. The Lancers, to be honest, have struggled in this situation. off the top of my head, ugly past season losses to Lynnfield and North Reading pop to mind. The Lancers struggles to land the knockout blow, up two scores and going in against Wilmington, almost proved deadly. You get the impression the Knights are looking to pounce.
Still, I’ll stick with Aero Heredia 26, NA 16
Friday games
Andover at Haverhill
The Hillies, even in defeat against Central, were a lot more impressive than I expected. Hey, Jeff Briggs is a newcomer to the region, I wasn’t sure what he brought to the table, not having seen his team in action until Saturday.
I was thoroughly impressed. Haverhill was disciplined, technically sound. They were tough and relentless with the monotonous veer on offense. They took chances on defense, stacking the line and blitzing, while playing tight man in the secondary. I liked what I saw. I’ll take the mini-upset.
Hillies 23, Andover 21
Georgetown at Ipswich … The real tests lie ahead.
Hoyas 19, Ipswich 0
Salem (NH) at Concord … Do or die time for the Blue Devils, who’ll need three wins and some help to reach the playoffs.
Salem 23, Concord 12
Timberlane at Winnacunnet … Nice little built-in cushion for the Owls, who’ll bounce a bit after the landmark win over Exeter. Furey, Hatton and crew is enough.
Owls 26, Hampton/Seabrook connection 3
Tewksbury at Central Catholic …
Three of the MVC’s top linemen, all pointed to Bryant College … Tewksbury’s Joe Guleno and Central’s Michael Garcia and Zak Adamopoulos … collide.
Adamopoulos move back to center has solidified things with Central, two has to be better than one, right?
“Thunderfoot” Cam Walsh decides this one.
Raiders 17, Tewks 14
Nashua North at Londonderry … A bit more of a true test for the Lancers, who found the going easy in the Queen City last week.
Lancers 22, North 8
Saturday games
Pelham at St. Thomas Aquinas …
Toughest trip of the year for Pelham.
That said, this team hasn’t lost since bruce Vieira left Pop Warner.
Pelham 18, STA 6
Thayer Academy at Brooks …
A step forward for Brooks at the exact right time
Brooks 24, Thayer 7
West Roxbury at Greater Lawrence Tech …
Westie’s giving up 30 a game. That means Wadscar will have the running shoes on.
Gomez and Gomez lead Sarkis and Sarkis crew to victory.
Reginals 28, Westie Rox 6
Watertown at North Reading
Independent Watertown is winless outside the Catholic Central league.
This is a gigantic year for the CAL Small. I have to figure the Hornets, stumbling a bit lately, have enough.
Frank Carey’s Dungeon Dwellers 34, H20-town 12
Wilmington at Pentucket Regional ….
A must win for the Sachems, who got healthier with the return of Jordan Silva last week.
Victory keeps the winner’s hopes alive in the race to potentially unseat mighty Masco.
Wilmington 9, Sachems 6
Deerfield Academy at Phillips Academy …
There will be some serious talent on the Academy field late Saturday into the early evening. Showdown city here.
Ever since the days he had that Siciliano kid running the show, Coach Mo’s crew has delivered in the big ones like this.
Andover 34, Deerfield 32
Nashua South at Pinkerton Academy …
THE game in the Granite State this week, with nearly an absolute lock on the No. 1 seed up for grabs. Is South the real deal? For that matter, are the Astros?
you have to love this football game. And a ton rides on whether Eric Guinto is healthy or not.
Pinkerton 13, South 0
Hanover at Sanborn Regional …
Another tough afternoon on tap, at least it looks like one, for Sanborn.
Maybe the long ride will take its toll on Hanover. Maybe not.
Hanover 24, Sanborn 3
Shawsheen at Whittier Regional …
Not exactly a banner year for the CAC large, but it appears Whittier, at 4-2, and Shawsheen, at 4-3, appear to be the bosses of the division. This might as well be called a playoff game. It looks like the title gets decided here. Bad weekend in New England for these Rams too.
Wildcats 21, Shasheen 14
