MIAA Football Top 25: Week 8

 Our rankings at the end of the regular season of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 10/23)

1. Everett (6-0; Last Week – 1 ) Despite finishing the regular season undefeated as the consensus top team in the state, the defending champs earn the No. 3 seed in Division 1 North and will host St. John’s Prep to begin the postseason. 

2. BC High (7-0; Last Week – 2 ) It looked like another low-scoring loss to Xaverian, but the Eagles rallied in the second half and rode Danny Abraham to their first win over the Hawks in 10 tries. 

3. Central Catholic (7-0; Last Week – 3) Star quarterback Bret Edwards injured his wrist and briefly left the game, but returned to seal a 49-13 win over Andover and the top seed in D1 North.  

4. St. John's (Shrewsbury) (7-0; Last Week – 4) Dropping 60 points for a second consecutive week, the Pioneers looked primed and ready as they likely enter the state tournament as the top seed in D3 Central. 

5. Lexington (7-0; Last Week – 5) Ho-hum, Sal Frelick threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more in a 52-35 win over Woburn. Lexington will host Andover in the first round in a rematch of last year’s overtime thriller.

6. Bridgewater-Raynham (6-1; Last Week – 7) Trojans spoiled an emotional night at St. John’s Prep, riding Devante Greaves and an effective passing game to a 20-14 victory over the struggling Eagles.  

7. King Philip (7-0; Last Week – 6) Warriors took care of business with a 35-7 win in Taunton and enter a loaded D2 South bracket as the top seed.  

8. Duxbury (6-1; Last Week – 10) In a marathon game, the Dragons outlasted rival Hingham for a tenth consecutive Patriot League title. They could face the Harbormen again in the second round of the D3 South tournament. 

9. Dennis-Yarmouth (7-0; Last Week – 9) No let down for the Dolphins after a huge win over Marshfield. They earn a tough draw against defending D3 state champion Hanover in the first round of the D5 South tournament. 

10. Marblehead (7-0; Last Week – 10) Scoreless through three quarters, the Magicians broke a deadlock with Danvers and persevered for a 10-7 victory to wrap up an undefeated regular season.  

11. North Attleborough (6-1; Last Week – 11) The top seed in D3 South, but likely an underdog to Duxbury within that bracket, the Red Rocketeers host a dangerous Walpole team this Friday.   

12. Tewksbury (6-1; Last Week – 14) Redmen scored 20 unanswered points and shut rival Billerica out in the second half to earn a share of the MVC title. As a result, Tewksbury enters a tough D3 North bracket as the second seed.  

13. Lincoln-Sudbury (7-0; Last Week – 16) We knew the Warriors' offense is good, but dropping 77 points in a win over Cambridge indicates that they’re nearly unstoppable. Hosting Reading in the first round of the D2 North bracket will put L-S to the test immediately. 

14. Xaverian (3-4; Last Week – 12) Defensively, Xaverian was able to hang with the second-ranked Eagles on the road, but the Hawks' offense continues to struggle.   

15. Natick (6-0; Last Week – 17) Redhawks survived a low-scoring battle with rival Wellesley to earn the No. 2 seed in D2 South.   

16. Marshfield (4-2; Last Week – 7) Rams were off during the final week of the season and will now prepare to face Mansfield in an intriguing 4-5 matchup to begin their run for a D2 south title. 

17. Somerville (5-2; Last Week – 22) Huge win for the Highlanders over Revere on Thursday night. They’ll enter the D5 North bracket as the No. 2 seed. 

18. St. Mary’s (Lynn) (7-0; Last Week – 18) Division 7 North is the Spartans' bracket to lose, although they could face a tough challenge in the sectional final against Boston City League power Brighton. 

19. Masphee (7-0; Last Week – 22) No surprise here, as the Falcons earn the top spot in D7 South by wrapping up an undefeated regular season.

20. Lynn English (7-0; Last Week – 20) Bulldogs waxed Winthrop, 49-0, to wrap up an undefeated regular season and earn the top seed in D3 North.  

21. Lynn Classical (6-1; Last Week – 25) Impressive bounce back win for the Rams to beat Salem, 44-20, and pick up some momentum heading into the postseason.  

22. St. John's Prep (3-4; Last Week – 13) Apparently this young Eagles squad is still a year away from competing for a state title, as their home loss to Bridgewater-Raynham puts their season in jeopardy by ensuring a first-round road game at Everett to open the state tournament.  

23. Shrewsbury (6-1; Last Week – 23) Colonials continued to roll with a 28-17 win over Westborough and will enter the D3 Central tournament as champions of CMass' biggest league, Mid-Wach A. It won't matter (too) much for playoff positioning, but Shrewsbury will be playing for pride and CMass bragging rights against...

24. Nashoba (7-0; Last Week – 24) Continuing to lean on its defense, Nashoba won a 9-0 slugfest over Wachusett Friday night, and will travel to Shrewsbury this Friday, hoping to close the regular season with a bang, and back-to-back wins against Mid-Wach A powers.

25. Hopkinton (7-0; Last Week – NA) In a statement win, the Hillers took down perennial power Holliston, 12-8, to earn the top seed in the D4 South state tournament. 

Last 10 Out:  Arlington (5-2), Catholic Memorial (4-3), Hamilton-Wenham (7-0), Mansfield (6-1), Melrose (7-0), Millis (6-1), Milton (5-1), North Andover (6-1), Norwell (6-1), Shepherd Hill (5-2)