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| How high will quarterback Zach Burns and Billerica climb after a huge win against Everett? |
Ed. Note- Though ESPN Boston High Schools is no more, SuiteSports is thrilled to welcome a few former members of that team, including former Assistant Editor Nate Weitzer.
Each week, Nate, myself, and our other correspondents and colleagues across the state will rank our Top 25 teams in Massachusetts high school football. After all, just because ESPN Boston High Schools is done, that doesn't mean we should stop doing our Top 25 every week. For now, our "Last Week" ranking will refer to where each team stood in ESPN Boston's final poll.
Anyways, onward to our first ever statewide Top 25!
1. Duxbury (4-0; Last Week–1) An unstoppable offensive juggernaut to rival teams in any division, the Dragons hung 46 in a shutout of Plymouth North for their fourth win of the season.
2. Xaverian (3-1; Last Week–2) The Hawks proved that they can still stymie a talented offense, as they battled their way to a 17-0 win at Catholic Memorial in a defensive slugfest.
3. Billerica (4-0; Last Week–6) Stunned initially by Everett’s powerful rushing attack, the Indians climbed on the back of seniors Zach Burns and Dean Brooks during a thrilling 24-21 overtime victory over the visiting D1 power.
4. BC High (3-0; Last Week–4) For the second time in as many weeks, the Eagles dominated a talented opponent, as Danny Abraham broke off two more long touchdown runs and the defense held strong during a 20-0 win over Brockton.
5. Central Catholic (3-0; Last Week–5) The idle Raiders looked impressive over their first three wins of the season and will now turn their sights towards a tough road tilt at Haverhill this Friday.
6. Bridgewater-Raynham (3-1; Last Week–7) Trojans are now 3-0 with head coach Dan Buron on the sidelines after a 34-6 thrashing of Chelmsford last Thursday night.
7. Everett (2-2; Last Week–3) It’s hard to fault Everett too much for losing to both the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked teams in our rankings by a sole field goal, but the Tide will have to find a way to win those types of games if they want to make a run in the postseason.
8. St. John's (Shrewsbury) (3-1; Last Week–9) The Pioneers defense stood strong, and the offense came up with a few big plays to down defending Division 2 State Champion Nashoba 12-0 over the weekend.
9. St. John's Prep (2-2; Last Week–12) Eagles took a beating at Everett last Saturday, but turned around on a short week and throttled conference rival Malden Catholic 46-0 to bounce back.
10. King Philip (4-0; Last Week–13) Outlasting conference rival Mansfield, 20-17, in an absolute war last Friday proves that the Warriors can get it done in a lot of different ways.
11. Catholic Memorial (2-2; Last Week–10) They were unable to produce points in a home game against Xaverian, but plenty of teams have been shut out by the back-to-back defending champs. The Knights remain a potential threat to the Hawks down the road in the D1 South bracket.
12. Andover (2-2; Last Week–14) We know that the Golden Warriors can score with anyone, but that defense has improved tremendously over their last six quarters of play.
13. Haverhill (3-1; Last Week–15) If a few bounces of the ball had gone their way at St. John’s Prep in Week 1, the Hillies would be in the discussion with the top undefeated teams in the state. As it stands, they remain one of the most talented teams in all of Division 1.
14. Springfield Central (2-2; Last Week–8) The vaunted Golden Eagles offense came crashing down to earth in a 6-0 loss to Longmeadow on a rain-soaked Friday night. Yet Springfield Central still may possess the best trio of skill players west of I-95.
15. Tewksbury (4-0; Last Week–18) Another week, and another impressive performance by Tewksbury’s offense, as the Redmen rolled Dracut 39-7, despite rainy conditions.
16. Dartmouth (4-0; Last Week–21) The Indians faced another opponent from a higher Division on Friday night and easily handled Durfee by a final of 27-7.
17. Wachusett (4-0; Last Week–NA) It’s safe to say that the Mountaineers have our attention after spoiling Leominster’s Homecoming weekend with a 27-10 victory at their regional rivals.
18. Holliston (3-1; Last Week–11) Westwood snapped the Panthers lengthy winning streak in a 36-34 barnburner on Holliston’s home turf. That may just be a minor setback in this programs’ quest for a third consecutive state title.
19. North Attleborough (3-1; Last Week–22) Since losing to King Philip in their season opener, the Rocketeers have scored at least 34 points while pulling out three consecutive wins in decisive fashion.
20. Marblehead (4-0; Last Week–NA) The Magicians rode the momentum of a big win at Danvers to a 33-14 victory over Peabody.
21. Mansfield (2-2; Last Week–20) The Hornets drop one spot after winding up on the short end of a 20-17 dogfight with King Philip last Friday.
22. Falmouth (4-0; Last Week–NA) Showing no letdown after a narrow overtime win over Marshfield, the Clippers demolished Sandwich 45-6 to remain undefeated.
23. Grafton (4-0; Last Week–NA) The Indians have taken down some of the best small-school competition in Central Mass. with wins over West Boylston and Oakmont. Up next is a test against perennial contender Northbridge.
24. Shepherd Hill (1-3; Last Week– NA) Complications from Kevin Mensah’s ineligibility aside, the Rams lost to three Central Mass. teams in St. John’s (Shrewsbury), Wachusett, and Shrewsbury that are perennial powers. Yet, now that Mensah is back in the lineup, they’re a force to be reckoned with.
25. Natick (3-1; Last Week–NA) While Wellesley managed to shut down the Redhawks aerial attack in Week 3, Natick defeated Milton 26-7, and now has the edge over both the Wildcats and the Tigers of Newton North in the Bay State Conference.
Last 10 Out: Brockton (2-2), Danvers (3-1), Foxborough (3-1), Hanover (4-0), Leominster (2-2), Lexington (4-0), Marshfield (3-1), Millis (3-1), Milton (3-1), Wellesley (4-0)
4 comments :
You need to look a little closer at a few other Western MA schools (Taconic, South Hadley & Waconah). One or two of these schools will be at Gillette
SH is 1-3. In no way do they deserve recognition as a top 25 team in the state at this point in the season with that record. There are teams much more deserving of a place in the polls, teams that are undefeated, or 3-1. Why the fascination with this team? They were sub-.500 last year as well.
SH does have 2 D1 players (the younger Lindstrom & Mensah), plus a couple other kids that will play in college but yeha, how are they still ranked?!
SH is not in the CMass Top-10 but they are in the State-Wide top 25? Makes zero sense..could you try to have some consistency, instead of regional rah-rah!
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