MIAA Football: 2018 Preseason Top 25 Poll

Two-time defending Super Bowl champion King Philip enters the 2018 season No. 6 overall.

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

The MIAA High School Football season officially kicks-off one week from today, and with that SuiteSports is excited to unveil its 2018 Preseason Top 25 Poll.

We always caution that preseason polls are tenuous, usually based upon returners from 2017 and any rumblings from the early weeks of camp that we have heard along the way. It can sometimes take a handful of weeks until the true contenders across the state are realized.

Going forward we will release our updated Top 25 poll every Monday following the previous weekends' action. So, look for our next poll to be released on September 10th after all of week one has concluded.

Before then, however, here is SuiteSports' 2018 Preseason MIAA Football Top 25 Poll as selected by its panel of writers, correspondents, and editors.

1. Everett (Last Season: 12-0) The Crimson Tide have may lost some key pieces, but still enter as the favorite in Div. 1 under first year head coach Theluxon Pierre and dynamic playmaker Mike Sainristil.

2. Xaverian (Last Season: 7-5) Xaverian has won the Div. 1 South title five years in a row and enter as the preseason favorites in the sectional once again to begin 2018.

3. Lincoln-Sudbury (Last Season: 11-1) Warriors were minutes away from a Super Bowl victory in 2017, and have the pieces to finish the job this time around.

4. Mansfield (Last Season: 8-3) Hornets' experience on defense, and multitude of weapons on offense highlighted by Vinnie Holmes, makes them the slight preseason favorite in Div. 2 South.

5. Catholic Memorial (Last Season: 6-5) The Knights have the talent and experience to make the first year under John DiBiaso's stewardship a successful one. 

6. King Philip (Last Season: 12-0) Warriors have lost a fair share of key contributors, but still enter the season having won back-to-back Super Bowls and 25 consecutive games.

7. North Andover (Last Season: 9-2) Scarlet Knights are bound to make a run at Lincoln-Sudbury and the Div. 2 North crown behind quarterback Jake McElroy.

8. St. John's Prep (Last Season: 5-6) A fully healthy Wes Rockett, Aise Pream, and a stalwart line make the Eagles a legitimate threat both in the Catholic Conference and Div. 1 North.

9. St. John's Shrewsbury (Last Season: 12-0) The defending Div. 3 Super Bowl champs enter the 2018 season looking to make another run with Eamonn Denis, Mitch Gorgas, Liam Daly, and Jay Brunelle as the focal points.

10. Springfield Central (Last Season: 9-2) After falling a game shy of Gillette in 2017, the Golden Eagles have the chance to make a statement on opening night versus Lincoln-Sudbury.

11. Mashpee (Last Season: 13-0) The Falcons' mini-dynasty looks poised to continue in 2018 with Devaun Ford and Xavier Gonsalves back in the fold.

12. North Attleboro (Last Season: 11-2) One season after appearing at Gillette Stadium, the Red Rocketeers are expected to make another run at it behind All-State lineman Ryan Clemente. 

13. Doherty (Last Season: 9-2) The Highlanders finished last season with nine wins for just the third time in program history, but could very well top that this year with Tajon Vassar, Jon Foronson, and Paul Yiadom leading the charge.

14. Shrewsbury (Last Season: 9-2) Colonials may end up being the team to beat in Div. 3 with Jon White, Nate Hautala, and Cam Schaefer all ready to breakout onto the state-wide scene.

15. Central Catholic (Last Season: 10-1) Despite graduating their fair share of talent, Chuck Adamopolous' Raiders are always amongst the best in the Bay State especially on defense.

16. Dennis-Yarmouth (Last Season: 12-0) The Dolphins have holes to fill coming off an undefeated 2017 campaign, but have the weapons at the skill positions to defend their Div. 5 crown.

17. Natick (Last Season: 10-2) Redhawks are looking to build off a strong 10-2 season, and have the chance to make a pair of early season statements versus Div.1 South contenders Needham and Brockton. 

18. Needham (Last Season: 6-5) With a veteran offense spearheaded by Matt Smith, there is reason to believe the Rockets could be sleepers in Div. 1 South.

19. Brockton (Last Season: 3-8) It was an usually down year for the Boxers in 2017, but pieces on both lines make it easy to believe that they will rebound. 

20. Duxbury (Last Season: 8-3) The 10-time defending Patriot League champs are the favorites to make that number 11.

21. Hingham (Last Season: 8-3) The Harbormen enter the 2018 season with aspiration not just ohm are a legitimate run at the Patriot League title, but a Super Bowl. 

22. BC High (Last Season: 10-1) First year coach Jon Brillo leads a relatively inexperienced Eagles unit that has tall non-league tasks in Mansfield, Marshfield, Tewksbury, Everett, and Brockton. 

23. Tewksbury (Last Season: 10-2) The Redmen have the pieces and opportunities on the schedule to quickly make themselves a team to watch this fall.

24. Lynn Classical (Last Season: 8-3) Those who have not heard yet of Keith Ridley's abilities will soon enough.

25. Milford (Last Season: 5-6) The Davenport side of the Hockomcok is sure to be fun to watch this year, with Milford becoming instant contenders thanks to the inclusion of one of the top lineman in the region in Kevin Pyne.