MIAA Football Top 25: Week 2

St. John's (Shrewsbury) dominated Catholic Memorial from the opening kick Friday night.

Our preseason rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 9/10)

1. Everett (1-0; Last Week – 1) The Crimson Tide rolled its chief rival in emphatic fashion, downing Xaverian 31-7 in the opener, and the final margin could've been even greater. Not a missing a beat with Jake Wilcox taking over under center, Everett is the clear-cut favorite to repeat as Division 1 champion. 

2. BC High (1-0; Last Week – 5) While Danny Abraham put up huge numbers last season before the Eagle offense eventually fizzled out against superior competition, this team has a different feel given the experience on the defensive side of the ball and sheer talent on the offensive line. Friday night, Abraham again dominated Andover, and it will be interesting to see if he and his physical offensive line can continue this roll.

3. Central Catholic (1-0; Last Week – 4 ) It may have come against a Division 4 power in Dartmouth, but winning 41-7 at Memorial Field is quite impressive. Bret Edwards and Matthias Villafane could lead the Raiders back to the D1 North sectional semifinals, or further.

4. St. John's Prep (1-0; Last Week – 3) Mike Yarin looked sharp and the defense might have been a pleasant surprise for head coach Brian St. Pierre, as the Eagles shut out a capable Haverhill squad, 27-0, to open the season.

5. Xaverian (0-1; Last Week – 2) Everett is clearly a powerhouse, but the Hawks are going to badly miss the toughness of graduated running back Devin Picinnin, as new head coach Al Fornaro looks to continue the "Ground and Pound" tradition that has made Xaverian great over the past decade.

6. St. John's (Shrewsbury) (1-0; Last Week – 6 ) The Pioneers dominated Catholic Memorial from start to finish in a 33-3 statement win to open the season. After delivering a message out east Friday night, the Pioneers next head home to face Western Mass power Springfield Central this Saturday.

7. King Philip (1-0; Last Week – 8 ) New year, same story, as quarterback Brendan Lydon and two-way star Shane Frommer combined for the offense while the Warriors stout defense did enough to edge North Attleboro in their opener.

8. Bridgewater-Raynham (1-0; Last Week – 16) Devante Greaves paced B-R with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown in a 20-10 win over Duxbury, as the Trojans have now knocked off a defending state champion in consecutive Septembers. 

9. Marshfield (1-0; Last Week – 9 ) Rams demolished a capable out-of-state opponent in Cranston (R.I.), and look loaded heading into a big Week 2 matchup at BC High.  

10. Lexington (1-0; Last Week – 17) Quarterback Sal Frelick is a transcendent talent, and with last year’s 1,000-yard rusher Ben Quint complementing him, the Minutemen could make some noise this season.   

11. Tewksbury (1-0; Last Week – 12) Redmen won a second consecutive season opener, 21-18, over Malden Catholic and will face one more non-conference foe in Methuen before heading into league play.

12. Duxbury (0-1; Last Week – 7 ) Outside linebacker Joe Gooley and the Dragons defense held tough in a loss at B-R, yet without Bobby Maimaron and Ryan Reagan, the offense isn't quite explosive enough to go undefeated again.

13. Falmouth (1-0; Last Week – 15) Tough to beat the Clippers right now. They last lost on November, 6 of 2015 and take an 18-game winning streak into a gauntlet of games against reigning D2 West champion Westfield and Marshfield over the next two weeks.

14. North Attleboro (0-1; Last Week – 10 ) Just like last year, the Red Rocketeers fell short in a tough matchup with King Philip. Yet they'll find the sledding much easier in the Division 3 South bracket, should they earn a top seed in the state tournament.

15. Reading (1-0; Last Week – 18) The Rockets made quick work of Wakefield in a 48-14 win to open the season and will now have two weeks to prepare for a huge Middlesex League tilt at Lexington.  

16. Billerica (1-0; Last Week – 23) A resounding 33-0 victory over Burlington in the season opener proves that Billerica didn’t lose a step on the defensive side of the ball.

17. Dartmouth (0-1; Last Week – 11) Head coach Rick White wants to challenge his Indians with a brutal non-conference schedule, and facing D1 power Central Catholic in Week 1 certainly accomplished that.

18. Andover (0-1; Last Week – 14) Simply a brutal matchup for the Golden Warriors in the opener once again, as BC High’s massive line and Abraham ran all over them. The good news? New starting quarterback Nick Dellato looked quite good against an elite defense. 

19. Stoughton (1-0; Last Week – 20) The Knights impressed by taking down a D1 program in Franklin, 28-14, to open their season. Will they be able to keep the magic going against historical power Catholic Memorial next week?

20. Marblehead (1-0; Last Week – 22) Derek Marino caught the game-winning touchdown in a narrow 16-9 win over Triton to open the season strong for the Magicians.

21. Holliston (1-0; Last Week – NR) The Panthers quelled any talk of a "down year" with an impressive win at Millis. Senior quarterback Ryan Benco shined in his first start under center, and Holliston's defense held down a talented and explosive Millis skill group.

22. Wellesley (1-0; Last Week – NR) Strong defense can win consistently in the MIAA, and the Raiders have one of the best schemes in the state under head coach Jesse Davis. 

23. Mansfield (1-0; Last Week – 25) Junior Damani Scott had an impressive debut with 171 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 34-13 Hornets victory over Walpole. 

24. Nashoba (1-0; Last Week – NR) A 34-0 shutout of Groton-Dunstable on opening night indicates that the Chieftans are serious about making another run at a state title.

25. Brockton (0-1; Last Week – 24) The talented Boxers came alive late in a loss at Lexington, with quarterback Junior Monteiro showing plenty of poise and athlete Jaylynn Ellerbe Cundiff moving all over the formation. 

Last 10 Out:  Millis (0-1), Mashpee (1-0), Cardinal Spellman (1-0), Catholic Memorial (0-1), East Bridgewater (1-0), Lynn Classical (1-0), Milton (1-0), Shrewsbury (1-0), St. Mary's (Lynn) (1-0), Wachusett (1-0)