SuiteSports HS Football Coverage Preview: Week 8

It's a must-win for Chris Campbell and his Shrewsbury teammates this weekend.

By SuiteSports Staff

We've got a full weekend of Massachusetts high school football in store for you here at SuiteSports, as the playoffs begin in Eastern Mass, and much is still to be decided in the final week of the regular season in Central Mass.

Here's a look at all the games we'll be covering as the weather gets cooler, and the stakes get higher.

Friday

Andover at Lexington, 7 pm: Division 1 North Playoff

The unbeaten Minutemen are fresh off a Middlesex League crown, and averaging over 41 points per game offensively. But, they'll begin the playoffs with the unenviable task of slowing down star Andover quarterback E.J. Perry IV. Our Nate Weitzer will report from what could be the most entertaining game of the tournament's opening weekend.

Bridgewater-Raynham at Natick, 7 pm: Division 1A South Playoff

Bridgewater-Raynham has some of the most impressive wins in the state, most notably its Week 2 upset of Xaverian, but it will be the Redhawks hosting this blockbuster first round game in Division 1A South. Natick comes in red-hot, having won four in a row, and our Jason Siegel will see whether or not the Redhawks can pull off the rare home upset.

Leominster at Shrewsbury, 7 pm: Regular Season Finale

The tournament doesn't officially begin in Central Mass until next week, but this is effectively a playoff game for both these teams. With Leominster sitting at No. 4 in Division 2 Central, and Shrewsbury just behind them at No. 5, the winner is guaranteed a playoff spot, while the loser must play the dreaded "non-playoff" schedule in November.

Editor Joe Parello will be there to see which of these CMass powers moves on to the tournament.

Auburn at Grafton, 7 pm: Regular Season Finale

Another Central Mass game with big postseason implications, as both these squads come in undefeated, battling for the top spot in Division 3 Central. The winner will also take the SWCL A title, and each defense could be the best one the opposing offenses have seen all year.

For Grafton, that means, maybe, facing a defense good enough to contain Ifeatu Melifonwu, and for Auburn, that means facing a defense athletic enough to keep up with Steve Saucier. Our Connor Evans will be reporting from what could be a sectional final preview.

Saturday

Brockton at Newton North, 1 pm: Division 1 South Playoff

Our Nate Weitzer will be back in action Saturday, watching Newton North take on physical Brockton. This is a 7v2 matchup where many across the state think the lower seed could snag a win, but don't sleep on the Tigers, who are undefeated at home this season.

Everett at Haverhill, 6 pm: Division 1 North Playoff

Finally, we'll have both Nate Weitzer, and former ESPN Boston videographer Greg Story at this huge D1 North clash. Haverhill has been one of the stories of the season, but Everett always has as much talent as anybody in the state.

Will the perennial power move on, or is it Haverhill's year? Find out in our video highlights after the game.