It’s by no means straightforward to achieve the state semifinals. One win separates every of those faculties from a visit to Gillette Stadium. A number of the contenders have been to 1 Patriot Place just lately. Others want to make historical past.
Which of them have the sting heading into this weekend? It’s time to seek out out with the Herald’s newest installment of Pickorama.
Xaverian vs. Springfield Central
As followers had been hoping, there can be a rematch between the third-ranked Hawks (8-2) and the No. 2 Golden Eagles (9-1). The final time these faculties met Sept. 26, Springfield Central rallied from a two-score deficit for a 28-20 win. This Div. 1 battle could be very powerful to foretell, with groups of equal caliber squaring off. Each faculties loved large wins within the Spherical of 8 and have mixed for seven complete Tremendous Bowl appearances since 2018.
Connelly’s decide: Springfield Central
Murray’s decide: Xaverian
Central Catholic vs. St. John’s Prep
Regardless of lacking highly-touted recruit Chris Vargas (leg harm), the top-seeded Eagles (10-0) survived a powerful problem from No. 8 Leominster (48-32 win) and superior to the Div. 1 semifinals behind Maxwell Mother or father (school-record 355 yards dashing, 5 touchdowns general). The No. 5 Raiders received a thriller within the quarterfinals (20-17 time beyond regulation victory in opposition to No. 4 Natick), and have a knack for beautiful the state’s greatest.
Connelly’s decide: St. John’s Prep
Murray’s decide: St. John’s Prep
Bridgewater-Raynham vs. Bishop Feehan
Eian Bain has finished a implausible job since taking on at Bridgewater-Raynham final 12 months. The third-seeded Trojans (7-3) punched a ticket to the Closing 4 with a 21-13 win over No. 6 Billerica. The final time this system reached the semifinals got here in 2017, when Dan Buron was nonetheless roaming the sidelines. After receiving a bye to the quarterfinals, No. 2 Bishop Feehan (8-1) took care of enterprise by rolling previous Chelmsford, 33-12. Ought to the Shamrocks win, it could be their first journey to Gillette since 2012.
Connelly’s decide: Bishop Feehan
Murray’s decide: Bishop Feehan
Milton vs. North Attleboro
It was a chess match to begin final week for Steve Dembowski and his workforce, however the third-seeded Wildcats acquired the job finished by pulling away for a 41-27 win over Masconomet. Patrick Collins might have had a profession efficiency (385 yards passing, 5 complete touchdowns) for Milton (9-1). Now the college faces the reigning Div. 3 champion in North Attleboro (8-2). The seventh-ranked Rocketeers have discovered new methods to win. Their newest may need been probably the most eye-opening but, as they erupted for a convincing drubbing of No. 2 Barnstable.
Connelly’s decide: Milton
Murray’s decide: North Attleboro
Duxbury vs. Scituate
Déjà vu. For the fourth time within the earlier 5 seasons, these Patriot League rivals will meet within the state playoffs. The one distinction is that the matchup will happen within the Div. 4 semifinals as an alternative of at Gillette. Grayson Foley (409 all-purpose yards, 5 touchdowns final week) has returned for the top-ranked Sailors (9-1), who’re trying to win their second straight Tremendous Bowl. Brady Rhinesmith (305 yards, 4 touchdowns passing) had an enormous recreation for the No. 4 Dragons (7-3) as his workforce knocked off an undefeated Burlington squad, 38-14. The faculties confronted off in Week 2, with Scituate successful, 27-15. Count on a nail-biter this time.
Connelly’s decide: Scituate
Murray’s decide: Scituate
Archbishop Williams vs. Foxboro
A traditional case of a workforce on the rise dealing with a perennial heavyweight. Led by eighth-grade quarterback Hudson Garrity (247 yards, 4 touchdowns passing final week), the sixth-seeded Bishops (10-0) rolled to an undefeated common season. They’ve since squeaked out unbelievable wins over No. 11 Swampscott (14-7) and No. 3 Hanover (28-26) to achieve the semifinals. Jack Martinelli is likely one of the winningest coaches in Massachusetts, and has led the second-ranked Warriors (8-2) to 2 consecutive Div. 5 Tremendous Bowl appearances with a championship in 2023. Foxboro coasted to a 28-0 win over No. 7 Gloucester, however may face a problem right here.
Connelly’s decide: Archbishop Williams
Murray’s decide: Foxboro
Hudson vs. Norwell
A really powerful recreation to undertaking. Prime-ranked Norwell (8-2) has run roughshod via the Div. 6 discipline, outscoring its opposition at a 74-14 clip with Jack Luccarelli being the catalyst. Nonetheless, No. 5 Hudson (9-1) is the reigning state champion and has defeated a number of the state’s greatest with wins over packages reminiscent of West Boylston and Clinton. These groups could possibly be locked in a one-possession recreation.
Connelly’s decide: Norwell
Murray’s decide: Norwell
Randolph vs. Nashoba Tech
The one draw back to this matchup is the truth that each faculties must be competing at Gillette for a Div. 8 title. They are going to conflict within the semifinals for a second straight season because the fourth-ranked Blue Devils (10-0) will look to depend on star working again Mehki White for firepower once more. Will the top-ranked Vikings (8-2) earn some payback this 12 months? We will see.
Connelly’s decide: Randolph
Murray’s decide: Nashoba Tech
Information
Connelly’s week: 3-3
Murray’s week: 2-4
Connelly’s season: 67-34
Murray’s season: 66-35
Mixed: 133-69
