10 Takeaways from the 1st Round of the MIAA Football Playoffs

People continue to doubt Holliston and QB Jack Barrett, but the Panthers just keep on winning.

By John Sarianides (@xnojoe)

Ed. Note- Massachusetts football guru John Sarianides is back with the biggest stories from Week 1 of the MIAA playoffs.

1. Everett proved on Saturday night that you can't count them out in Division 1 North. Crimson Tide coach John DiBiaso has a talented squad, and they played up to their ability against Haverhill.

2. Lexington vs Andover lived up to the hype. E.J. Perry and the Warriors kept chipping away and, when the game was on the line, Perry delivered.

3. King Philip, Wellesley, B-R and Marshfield all won their opening round playoff games. That means we are going to have two great games this weekend in Division 1A South.

4. St. John's Prep dominated Acton-Boxboro on Saturday. The Eagles look like a force, and with Mike Yarin coming along at quarterback, the Prep is heading toward a collision course with Everett.

5. Xaverian made quick work of Franklin, setting up a second meeting with Catholic Memorial, who beat Needham. The Hawks are rolling along and with all due respect to the other teams in the bracket, I don't see anyone beating them in the next two weeks.

6. The Division 2 South matchups this coming weekend could be two of the best games of the weekend. Stoughton at Duxbury and North Attleboro at Dartmouth. Enough said!

7. It's hard to believe, but there people out there who thought that Middleboro was going to beat Holliston. People are still second guessing Todd Kiley's Panthers.

8. Central Mass isn't as loaded as it usually is but St. John's (Shrewsbury) might have the formula to win a Super Bowl. They run the football effectively out of their spread offense and they play good defense. That recipe usually tastes good this time of year.

9. In D2 North, Tewksbury hosts the always dangerous Beverly Panthers, while Billerica hosts Masco. Both games should be good, but I'd be lying if I said the football fan in me wasn't pulling for a Tewksbury-Billerica rematch next weekend.

10. Watertown is flying under the radar, but John Cacace's Raiders have been one of the better teams in Eastern Mass this season, and have a chance to make a statement in D3 North this weekend as they host Newburyport in Round 2.