At this stage, solely 64 groups nonetheless have a shot of reaching Gillette Stadium.
Now the trail will get harder. Many nice packages have reached this level solely to see their championship hopes evaporate. Which standouts within the subject will seemingly have one of the best likelihood to maintain rolling throughout the Spherical of 8?
Almost the entire candidates received their match openers, some extra convincingly than others. Catholic Memorial and Bishop Feehan had bye weeks in a shrunken 14-team Div. 2 subject.
1. St. John’s Prep: The Eagles (9-0) took care of enterprise within the Spherical of 16, steamrolling to a 38-0 shutout of Framingham. Nevertheless, five-star quarterback recruit Chris Vargas was pressured to exit the sport within the first half with an obvious leg damage. This could possibly be one thing to observe. St. John’s Prep stays a favourite this week, however shall be challenged with Coastal Carolina commit Osiris Lopez and No. 8 Leominster paying a go to.
2. Springfield Central: Issues received a bit shaky for a minute, however the Golden Eagles (8-1) have been capable of draw back for a 28-15 win over No. 15 Taunton. Subsequent up, an excellent harder check with an upstart staff in No. 10 Lowell, which is coming off a powerful 29-21 win over Methuen.
3. King Philip: Regardless of going through an undefeated college in Sixteenth-ranked Chicopee Comp., the Warriors (9-0) erupted offensively of their first playoff problem on the Div. 3 degree (51-0 win). The varsity will face a really acquainted foe this week within the quarterfinals, as Mansfield will make a short journey over to Wrentham for an intriguing battle between Hockomock League rivals.
4. Xaverian: Within the newest chapter of one of many state’s well-known rivalries, the third-seeded Hawks (7-2) regarded unstoppable final week in opposition to No. 14 Brockton. Senior quarterback Will Wooden completed 8-for-12 passing with 130 yards and 4 touchdowns, main his group in a 33-0 romp. Xaverian will look to hold momentum into one other house recreation this week, going through No. 11 Andover.
5. Catholic Memorial: Will being one of many state’s lone colleges to have a bye week to the quarterfinals profit the Knights (6-2)? You’d should suppose so on this case, as John DiBiaso’s group may merely be more healthy by the point this high seed clashes with No. 8 Wellesley within the Div. 2 match.
6. Winchester: Ronan O’Connell fired three extra landing passes, whereas Gianni DePrimeo saved his personal scorching streak going with two touchdowns dashing because the fourth-seeded Pink and Black (9-0) cruised to a 42-6 romp of No. 13 North Quincy within the Div. 2 subject. A matchup in opposition to No. 5 Lincoln-Sudbury lurks.
7. Tewksbury: The No. 2 Redmen (9-0) definitely regarded like one of many state’s finest final week, bowling to a 49-7 rout of No. 15 Middleboro. One of many high colleges to observe in Div. 4, Tewksbury has an attention-grabbing opponent as seventh-ranked Ashland makes a protracted journey north to Doucette Discipline for a quarterfinal showdown.
8. Shawsheen: Jake Banda (13 carries, 119 yards dashing, three touchdowns) turned in one other epic efficiency because the top-seeded Rams (9-0) dominated No. 16 Salem within the opening spherical of the Div. 5 playoffs. Nonetheless in possession of the state’s longest energetic successful streak (23 video games), Shawsheen will tackle No. 8 St. Mary’s within the quarterfinals.
9. Bishop Feehan: The second-seeded Shamrocks (7-1) enter as one of many high groups to observe in Div. 2 after having fun with a bye week to the Spherical of 8. Bryan Pinabell’s staff may have an attention-grabbing matchup within the quarterfinals, going through a Chelmsford staff that has received 4 straight.
10. Medfield: One other week, one other large recreation for Brady McCormack. Final week, the senior working again had 218 yards and three touchdowns dashing. Nonetheless undefeated at 9-0, the No. 4 Warriors will host fifth-ranked North Studying within the Div. 5 match Friday.
11. Archbishop Williams: It was not simple, however Hudson Garrity (165 yards passing, two complete touchdowns) and a stiff defensive efficiency powered the No. 6 Bishops (9-0) to a 14-7 win over No. 11 Swampscott. This week, they’ll face third-ranked Hanover. Archbishop Williams coach Mark Landolfi and assistant coach Chris Landolfi started their respective teaching careers along with the Hawks over a decade in the past.
12. Scituate: The highest-ranked Sailors (8-1) had a sluggish begin of their Div. 4 Spherical of 16 recreation, however ultimately cruised to a different victory. Grayson Foley returned from a latest leg damage with power, dashing for 145 yards to go along with 4 complete touchdowns in a 33-10 win over No. 16 Tantasqua. Scituate awaits No. 9 Walpole.
13. Natick: James Mortarelli continued to place up large numbers (112 yards dashing, two touchdowns), because the fourth-seeded Redhawks (7-2) dominated a Bay State Convention rival in No. 13 Weymouth (33-10) in Div. 1 play and can look to carry off No. 5 Central Catholic within the quarterfinals.
14. Milton: Patrick Collins had certainly one of his finest video games of the season within the opening spherical of the Div. 3 match for the No. 3 Wildcats (8-1), firing three landing passes to key a convincing 42-12 win over No. 14 Studying. Now it’s on to No. 6 Masconomet within the quarterfinals.
15. Barnstable: Jayson Dyer (94 yards dashing) had a pair of touchdowns because the second-seeded Pink Hawks (8-1) staved off a feisty Doherty staff to open the Div. 3 playoffs. Now they’ll tackle the state’s reigning champion in No. 7 North Attleboro
16. Foxboro: Jack Martinelli’s squad seems poised for an additional deep Div. 5 playoff run, because the second-ranked Warriors (7-2) toppled No. 15 Norton within the Spherical of 16, 41-13. Seventh-seeded Gloucester might pose a doable menace within the quarterfinals.
On The Sideline: Randolph, Amesbury, Central Catholic, Canton, Burlington, Lincoln-Sudbury, North Attleboro, Lowell, Abington, Cohasset.
