There’s a standard line many highschool soccer coaches usually say, in summation: “We don’t take note of the facility rankings. We’re simply seeking to enhance every sport.”
That is the time of 12 months when coaches have to start out, nonetheless. In spite of everything, the MIAA’s system will finally determine whether or not or not your program’s marketing campaign continues.
Some candidates, equivalent to Central Catholic, Barnstable and Weymouth, solidified their standing with outstanding wins final week over heavyweight applications. Others, equivalent to Milton, Scituate and Xaverian, took a success, however are nonetheless in an excellent place within the remaining month of the common season.
1. Catholic Memorial: A visit to the Metropolis of Champions proved fruitful for the Knights (4-0) final week, as they dispatched Brockton in a 41-13 romp at Marciano Stadium. As they put together to face Malden Catholic in a league bout, John DiBiaso’s group has all of the momentum on this planet.
2. St. John’s Prep: Every week of relaxation may need simply made this Catholic Convention juggernaut much more harmful. Because the Eagles (4-0) return to motion, Chris Vargas, Jordan Toribio and their teammates are slated to tackle a longtime nemesis in BC Excessive.
3. Springfield Central: The Golden Eagles (3-1) endured one of many hardest non-conference schedules within the state (efficiently), and started AA League play with a convincing 48-6 drubbing of Western Mass. rival Westfield final Friday.
4. King Philip: The Warriors confronted one other problem final Friday, however staved off a late comeback bid by Natick to stay unbeaten (5-0). The MIAA’s top-ranked group in Div. 3 will take a break this weekend earlier than resuming Hockomock League motion with a highway journey to Taunton on Oct. 17.
5. Barnstable: The Pink Hawks (4-0) had been nonetheless looking for a signature win final week, regardless of loads of success. They discovered it with a powerful 35-6 rout of Milford, pulling away behind the performances of Jayson Dyer (148 yards dashing, two touchdowns) and dual-threat quarterback Kyle Coffin (152 yards dashing, two touchdowns). They seem poised to proceed momentum, with an 0-4 New Bedford group subsequent on the docket.
6. Winchester: The Pink and Black (4-0) have been clicking on all cylinders offensively, averaging 45.5 factors per sport. Senior quarterback Ronan O’Connell has helped take this group to a brand new degree throughout a four-game successful streak.
7. Bishop Feehan: Some thought BC Excessive may current an issue for the Shamrocks coming into final week. Owen Mordas (12-for-17 passing, 204 yards, two touchdowns) had different concepts, as Bishop Feehan (4-1) erupted for 28 factors within the second quarter en path to a powerful 35-13 rout.
8. Central Catholic: In case you take down a program like Xaverian (a 28-27 win final Friday), individuals are going to take discover. The Raiders (3-2) have had their ups and downs, however have confirmed their price in opposition to a collection of titans. They’ve returned to the Candy 16 with authority.
9. Shawsheen: It appeared {that a} extended reign of success was in critical jeopardy final week. Then Adam Caruso and Nathan Smith linked on a Hail Mary shot within the waning seconds to maintain the Rams (5-0) going with a 14-7 victory over St. Mary’s. One of many state’s longest successful streaks (19 video games) stays alive.
10. Xaverian: After going for a game-winning two-point attempt on the ultimate play in opposition to Central Catholic and falling brief, the Hawks (2-2) dropped their second straight in backbreaking style. Now the varsity will conflict with a St. John’s (Shrewsbury) group within the midst of a three-game successful streak.
11. Tewksbury: The Redmen returned to their dominant methods with a 36-17 drubbing of Chelmsford final week. The Merrimack Valley Convention’s prime group can have a troublesome activity this weekend, nonetheless. Subsequent up: a battle with a formidable Billerica squad that has been on fireplace as of late.
12. Weymouth: In what may need been the Wildcats’ greatest regular-season sport in just a few years, Amahri Gomes (160 yards dashing, two touchdowns) propelled his group to a memorable 28-21 win over Milton. The varsity has made a transparent assertion and leaps into the Herald’s Candy 16.
13. Natick: A powerful run to start out of the autumn concluded final week for this Bay State Convention energy, because the Redhawks (4-1) dropped a hard-fought sport in opposition to King Philip, 23-21. A two-point loss to one of many prime groups within the state shouldn’t hinder this program from heating proper again up, nonetheless.
14. Milton: The Wildcats (4-1) handled adversity this previous week after they had been toppled by a Weymouth group surging up the state’s respective rankings. Now, they should make a protracted highway journey to Holden to face an unbeaten Wachusett squad. Milton coach Steve Dembowski shall be vying for his 2 hundredth profession win on this robust matchup.
15. Archbishop Williams: The Bishops completed simply 2-9 final fall. This 12 months, they welcomed a premier athlete in younger quarterback Hudson Garrity to work with key returning items, and have since doubled their prior win complete (4-0) in dominant style.
16. North Attleboro: It’s been a protracted layoff for the Rocketeers (3-1), their final win coming Sept. 26 in a 35-6 rout of Oliver Ames. Subsequent up shall be a difficult welcome again to Hockomock League play, as they tackle an undefeated Canton squad.
On The Sideline: Andover, Medfield, Uxbridge, Plymouth South, Scituate, Randolph, Masconomet, West Boylston, Fairhaven