In lots of respects, doubt could be a highly effective supply of motivation. Some would possibly fold underneath the stress of such. Others use it as gas for his or her hearth, hungry to show folks flawed.
Final week, a motivated Central Catholic group made the journey to Morrissey Boulevard for an anticipated tilt with BC Excessive, and emerged with a decisive 28-7 victory over a perennial Catholic Convention titan.
On the South Shore, others felt that Hanover is perhaps an excessive amount of to deal with for a Hingham group hoping to make a press release. Right away basic, the Harbormen surrendered the lead with 1:35 remaining. Then Jake Varholak marched his group up subject, firing a walk-off 21-yard landing strike to Riley Bello to provide his squad an unforgettable 26-21 victory as time expired.
For probably the most half, nonetheless, the Herald’s picks panned out. Will that development keep it up into Week 3?
Somerville at Malden
The Better Boston League has instantly emerged as probably the most aggressive ones within the Commonwealth, with Somerville (2-0) impressing everybody to start out with unimaginable wins over Belmont (41-0) and Boston English/New Mission (35-18). The Highlanders have made their presence recognized and shall be a tricky problem for the Golden Tornados on this early-season bout.
Connelly’s choose: Somerville
Murray’s Choose: Somerville
Hopkinton at Medfield
When these Tri-Valley League rivals met final fall, the Warriors got here away with a 21-6 victory over the Hillers. This time round, Medfield enters sizzling off of a 50-21 rout of Dracut. This included a terrific efficiency from Brady McCormack (9 carries for 229 yards dashing and 4 touchdowns). Hopkinton was capable of win a shootout in its most up-to-date recreation (32-28 over Wayland), so this one must be nearer this time round. Warriors really feel like they’ve extra firepower at this level.
Connelly’s choose: Medfield
Murray’s choose: Medfield
Central Catholic at St. John’s Prep
The Raiders opened eyes final week, whereas St. John’s Prep returned to type with a dominant win over a tricky Marshfield squad (48-8). Jordan Toribio has seemed like one of many state’s top-five gamers and the Eagles have weapons like wideout Riley Selvais to go along with the heavily-recruited Chris Vargas main the best way at quarterback.
Connelly’s choose: St. John’s Prep
Murray’s choose: Central Catholic
Everett at Xaverian
Following a 4-6 season, Everett (2-0) has kicked off with convincing wins over Medford (34-7) and Lynn Classical (42-6). Nonetheless, that is the varsity’s greatest problem but, going through the No. 1 group within the Herald’s newest rankings. It’s tough to see the Hawks faltering on this matchup, particularly with an off week and additional preparation.
Connelly’s choose: Xaverian
Murray’s choose: Xaverian
North Attleboro at Taunton
For the primary time shortly, the Rocketeers suffered a tough loss final week. Observe: it was in opposition to King Philip, a perennial state championship contender. The Tigers are on hearth to start out, cruising previous New Bedford and Durfee (at a 79-14 scoring clip, no much less). This may very well be a powerful Hockomock League tilt.
Connelly’s choose: North Attleboro
Murray’ Choose: North Attleboro
Hingham at Abington
The Harbormen are coming off one in every of their most memorable wins in just a few years after knocking off Hanover in an epic end. In the meantime, the Inexperienced Wave had been examined throughout an extra time shootout loss to Duxbury (52-44) earlier than returning to type with a 42-16 romp of Apponequet. This one feels prefer it might go both approach, and will function a number of scoring.
Connelly’s choose: Abington
Murray’s choose: Hingham
Norwell at Scituate
There have been questions as Jason Pithie stepped in because the Clippers’ newest coach after just a few nice years underneath John Willis, however they could have really improved underneath their former offensive coordinator’s enter – outscoring opponents by a mixed 84-40 output. The Sailors are contemporary off a giant win in opposition to Duxbury in a Div. 4 Tremendous Bowl rematch (a 27-15 victory), and have returned to their profitable methods with gamers like Jonny Donovan and Grayson Foley main issues.
Connelly’s choose: Scituate
Murray’s choose: Scituate
O’Bryant at Boston Latin
Led by key contributors like Christian Navas (two landing receptions, 4 transformed additional factors), the Wolfpack rallied with a giant win over East Boston (28-6). The Tigers, then again, seemed stable defensively of their season-opener final Friday earlier than developing brief in opposition to Roxbury Prep, 12-8.
Connelly’s choose: Boston Latin
Murray’s choose: Boston Latin
Bay Path at Northeast
Following a hard-fought 26-22 loss in Week 1 to Pentucket, the Golden Knights returned serve and had been capable of topple Winthrop with a good 14-7 win. Now they are going to look to hold issues right into a conflict with Bay Path, a Charlton-based program that has performed a topsy-turvy function by trying unbeatable in its first recreation in opposition to McCann Tech (a 60-7 victory), adopted by a tricky loss to Diman (22-7) in Week 2.
Connelly’s choose: Northeast
Murray’s choose: Bay Path
Governor’s at Tabor
After capturing the NEPSAC Kevin MacDonald Bowl in dominant vogue final fall, Tabor Academy opened its 2025 marketing campaign with a commanding 37-6 romp of Williston Northampton. The Governors will look to reply with an enormous assertion to start their very own season.
Connelly’s choose: Tabor
Murray’s choose: Tabor
Middlesex at Nobles
An intriguing matchup between ISL packages seeking to climb their approach again into the thick of issues in a really robust convention. Middlesex seemed spectacular throughout its latest scrimmage with the Berkshire Faculty (a 24-7 win). Now, issues turn into actual because the group travels to Dedham. Nobles, then again, caught hearth late within the season and brings again some key items. That is one other one that might go both approach.
Connelly’s choose: Nobles
Murray’s choose: Middlesex
Report retaining
Connelly’s Week 2 file: 10-3
Murray’s Week 2 file: 8-5
Connelly’s season file: 19-7
Murray’s season file: 18-8
Mixed: 37-15
