It’s lastly time. Would possibly simply be probably the greatest stretches of the yr. The highschool soccer playoffs are right here in Massachusetts, and athletes are hoping they may have an opportunity to perform the last word dream of successful a Tremendous Bowl title.
A complete of 126 faculties punched their tickets to the state playoffs. Solely eight shall be topped champions at Gillette Stadium.
Some applications, similar to top-ranked St. John’s Prep (8-0), closed the season sturdy. Because of this, they maintained their place on the peak of the Herald’s Candy 16. Can the Eagles shut the deal?
1. St. John’s Prep: If there was a shred of doubt as as to if the Eagles had been worthy of the highest spot, that ought to have been erased final week. The college overcame a 20-8 deficit in opposition to Catholic Memorial, roaring again for a convincing 43-28 victory behind Chris Vargas (18-for-24 passing with 217 yards and 4 touchdowns). It was profession victory No. 100 for coach Brian St. Pierre.
2. Springfield Central: If there’s a program that the prohibitive favorites ought to worry within the Div. 1 playoff area, it’s the Golden Eagles (7-1). Led by standouts like Jareth Staine and Isaiah Rogers, this group averages 40.5 factors per sport, and is hungry to make a press release within the postseason.
3. King Philip: Now enjoying within the Div. 3 ranks, the undefeated Warriors (8-0) are a viable Tremendous Bowl candidate. They’ve reached Gillette 4 straight seasons, in any case.
4. Xaverian: The Hawks (6-2) have discovered a rhythm coming into the Div. 1 match, sweeping 4 Catholic Convention opponents in as many weeks. Will momentum carry into the postseason?
5. Catholic Memorial: The Knights (6-2) sustained successful final week, falling to the state’s prime group in rival St. John’s Prep. Which may simply make them extra harmful coming into the Div. 2 match. May somebody journey the varsity up alongside the trail to a second straight Tremendous Bowl look? It’s potential, in concept, however doesn’t appear seemingly.
6. Winchester: Led by Ronan O’Connell and Gianni DePrimeo, to call just a few, the Crimson and Black (8-0) are having fun with one among their greatest seasons in years. An offensive juggernaut (averaging over 43 factors per sport), this program shall be a enjoyable one to observe in Div. 2.
7. Tewksbury: A case may very well be made that the Div. 4 area is probably the most aggressive this yr. One in all its heavyweights? This very Tewksbury group. The Redmen rolled to an ideal common season (8-0) and can enter issues because the No. 2 seed.
8. Shawsheen: It’s 22 straight wins and counting for the Rams (8-0). The Billerica faculty closed October with a convincing 42-0 drubbing of Better Lowell, and rightfully earned the No. 1 seed within the Div. 5 playoffs. Shawsheen will now vie for its second straight state title.
9. Archbishop Williams: It has been a marketing campaign to recollect for the Bishops (8-0). By advantage of their 22-0 shutout of Cathedral on Halloween night time, they had been capable of declare their first Catholic Central League title since 2005, and full their first undefeated common season since 2002.
10. Bishop Feehan: The Shamrocks (7-1) haven’t misplaced a sport since their season opener (in opposition to Xaverian, no much less). They wrapped up the common season with a romp of Taunton, 31-14. After ending because the No. 2 seed within the Div. 2 bracket, Bryan Pinabell’s group was rewarded with a bye to the Spherical of 8.
11. Barnstable: Dealing with an excellent Bridgewater-Raynham group final week, Jayson Dyer loved his newest breakout efficiency (171 yards speeding, two touchdowns) to propel the Crimson Hawks to a clutch 28-18 victory. Barnstable will function the No. 2 seed within the Div. 3 bracket and battle Doherty within the opening spherical.
12. Medfield: After a 4-7 season in 2024, the Warriors fully turned issues round with an unbeaten 2025 marketing campaign. Senior captain Brady McCormack has been the catalyst, shattering program data.
13. Scituate: Led by Chris DiMeo (two interceptions, landing return), the Sailors (7-1) used protection to topple Hanover (21-7) in Week 9. They claimed a share of the Patriot League (Fisher) title and captured the No. 1 seed within the Div. 4 playoff area. The college will try and win its second straight Tremendous Bowl title and fourth total since 2018.
14. Milton: Steve Dembowski’s group saved one among its greatest performances for final on Halloween night time, because the Wildcats (7-1) toppled Bay State Convention rival Natick with a formidable 21-14 displaying. The No. 3 seed within the Div. 3 bracket, Milton will open its postseason run in opposition to No. 14 Studying.
15. Natick: After cruising alongside for a lot of this season, the Redhawks (6-2) had a hiccup in Week 9, faltering to a longtime nemesis in Milton. Nonetheless, they had been capable of attain the No. 4 seed in a loaded Div. 1 bracket.
16. Randolph: The Blue Devils ran roughshod by their common season slate, rolling to an ideal 8-0 file. They averaged 40.6 factors per contest, decided to take issues a step additional following a Div. 8 Tremendous Bowl look in 2024.
On The Sideline: Foxboro, Burlington, Amesbury, Methuen, Central Catholic, Canton, Lincoln-Sudbury, Abington, Cohasset, Lowell
