The countdown is on. There are 11 days remaining earlier than the MIAA releases its 2025 soccer playoff brackets. With every passing week, the video games intensify as colleges make their remaining case for seedings. In a means, that may make it more and more troublesome to handicap upcoming matchups.
The Week 7 installment of Thursday Pickorama delivered a powerful slate with unbelievable video games. Most notably, Xaverian was capable of exorcise private demons with a wild 25-22 win over nemesis Catholic Memorial. Zander Govostes drilled a game-ending subject aim as time expired, and it was the primary win for the Hawks in opposition to the Knights since 2018. Lowell additionally rallied down the stretch, scoring on its remaining possession to topple Billerica, 22-20.
Week 8 has its share of potential thrillers and it’s time for the Herald to make some predictions.
Abington vs. Rockland
A basic matchup between two of the South Shore League’s blue blood applications. Abington has received the previous two conferences on this matchup and has improved this season. As of Tuesday, the Inexperienced Wave (5-1) moved to No. 1 within the newest MIAA Div. 6 energy rankings.
Connelly’s choose: Abington
Murray’s choose: Rockland
Blue Hills vs. Tri-County
For a minute final week, it felt like Tri-County (7-0) may see its good season snapped in opposition to South Shore Tech. Then, the Cougars flipped a swap and rattled off 22 unanswered factors within the fourth quarter to rally. Nevertheless, this may very well be an attention-grabbing one. The final time these colleges met was within the 2024 Vocational (Small) Bowl, which got here all the way down to the wire (36-30 in favor of Tri-County).
Connelly’s choose: Tri-County
Murray’s choose: Tri-County
Wellesley vs. Natick
After a troublesome begin, Wellesley (3-3) has received two straight behind stellar play from senior quarterback Bobby Shanahan (5 complete touchdowns final recreation). Does that streak proceed at residence? It may very well be difficult, because the Raiders will conflict with a 5-1 Natick squad that’s been on hearth and coming off a 51-6 romp of Brookline.
Connelly’s choose: Natick
Murray’s choose: Natick
North Attleboro vs. Mansfield
A real Hockomock League take a look at between applications of comparable caliber, which makes this one laborious to choose a winner. Led by a mixed effort offensively from Mason Bordieri and Donovan Minton final week, Mansfield (4-2) ran roughshod over rival Oliver Ames, 41-0. North Attleboro (5-1) just lately dispatched Stoughton (42-0 rout) and is on a scorching streak. A recreation that may very well be selected the ultimate possession.
Connelly’s choose: North Attleboro
Murray’s choose: Mansfield
Masconomet vs. Marblehead
Breydan Callahan (165 yards speeding, two touchdowns) and Finn Gallup (235 yards passing, 59 yards speeding, three complete touchdowns) have been a dynamic duo final week, as Marblehead (6-0) remained unbeaten with a 35-14 romp of Peabody. This time round, they’ll search for related performances in opposition to a really sturdy Masconomet (6-1) squad that just lately witnessed a historic recreation from Jack Fabiano (295 yards speeding, six touchdowns) in a 41-22 win over Beverly.
Connelly’s choose: Marblehead
Murray’s choose: Masconoment
Shawsheen vs. Higher Lawrence
For essentially the most half, Shawsheen (6-0) has coasted. The Rams are within the midst of a 20-game profitable streak relationship again to 2023. The Rams is perhaps one of many state’s strongest defensive groups (permitting simply 5.3 ppg.), however a strong Commonwealth Athletic Convention opponent awaits. They face an explosive Higher Lawrence (5-1) group averaging 43.3 factors per recreation.
Connelly’s choose: Shawsheen
Murray’s choose: Shawsheen
Bishop Fenwick vs. Cathedral
After a .500 end final yr, Cathedral (5-1) has been on a tear this fall, now having fun with a five-game profitable streak propelled by gamers like Ta’Qaire Bell and Xavier Roman. In distinction, Bishop Fenwick (2-4) has had its share of struggles. Nevertheless, the Crusaders have performed a troublesome schedule. This one may very well be intriguing.
Connelly’s choose: Cathedral
Murray’s choose: Cathedral
Dexter Southfield vs. Avon Previous Farms
Dexter Southfield (6-0) has confirmed its doubters unsuitable, cruising to a NEPSAC Class A Bowl berth final week with a 23-10 win over Loomis Chaffee. Sophomore quarterback Rory Funke (225 complete yards, three touchdowns) was a catalyst and he should mild issues up once more if his group goes to knock off one other titan. With commits reminiscent of Mason Leak (Boston School), Charlie Thom (Notre Dame) and Luke Hutchinson (Mississippi State), Avon Previous Farms (6-0) is harmful. This battle of convention unbeaten applications would be the final litmus take a look at.
Connelly’s choose: Avon Previous Farms
Murray’s choose: Dexter Southfield
Document holding
Connelly’s Week 7 file: 7-1
Murray’s Week 7 file: 7-1
Connelly’s season file: 49-22
Murray’s season file: 50-21
Mixed file: 99-43
