It's that time of year. Here is a rundown of what should be a great round of matchups:
D1: Xaverian vs. BC High
BC High beat X 30-13 in the regular season and just beat Springfield 41-36 in the last round. X has had an easy two rounds vs Brockton and Leominster. BC grad Paul Zukauskas has done a great job turning around the program his first year on the job. I think it will be close but I give BC High the edge.
D1: Needham vs St. Johns Prep
Prep is the Prep. Always a contender. Only loss was a 34-0 drubbing to Catholic Memorial. Needham is a very good team. They have an awesome and big O-line and multiple skill kids they give the ball too that are all good. I think Needham has a shot here and I'll go with them for the upset of Prep.
D2: CM vs Wellesley
Wellesley plays good defense but they can't hang with CM's speed.
D2: KP vs Marshfield
Rematch of last years D2 superbowl. Should be a good one. Marshfield has as good of skill players as anyone in the state. The question is can they hold up to the onslaught KP will bring up front running the ball behind a huge line and 3-4 RB's that are all really good. I think Marshfield will be able to score. They have a great staff that wiil learn from last year's Superbowl loss to KP. Toss up but I lean KP.
D3: Mansfield vs Walpole
We played Mansfield and beat them but the game was closer than the final score of 20-0. I think they are too big and physical for Walpole. Mansfield wins.
D3: North Attleboro vs Reading
North Attleboro might be the biggest public school team. Absolutely huge team. They struggle to score but play great defense and like to pound you up front. If Reading gets up North will struggle to claw back. I think this one is a toss up and will be close but I'll take North and it will set up an All Hockomock League championship. North won 14-10 in the regular season.
D4: No picks cuz we are in it. Both games saturday at Walpole
1pm Scituate vs Grafton
6 pm Duxbury vs Tewksbury
D5: Foxboro repeats as champs beating Hanover tonight and then beating Shawsheen in the Superbowl
D6: Fairhaven wins it and repeats upsetting Hudson in the Superbowl
No idea on D7 and D8
D1: Xaverian vs. BC High
BC High beat X 30-13 in the regular season and just beat Springfield 41-36 in the last round. X has had an easy two rounds vs Brockton and Leominster. BC grad Paul Zukauskas has done a great job turning around the program his first year on the job. I think it will be close but I give BC High the edge.
D1: Needham vs St. Johns Prep
Prep is the Prep. Always a contender. Only loss was a 34-0 drubbing to Catholic Memorial. Needham is a very good team. They have an awesome and big O-line and multiple skill kids they give the ball too that are all good. I think Needham has a shot here and I'll go with them for the upset of Prep.
D2: CM vs Wellesley
Wellesley plays good defense but they can't hang with CM's speed.
D2: KP vs Marshfield
Rematch of last years D2 superbowl. Should be a good one. Marshfield has as good of skill players as anyone in the state. The question is can they hold up to the onslaught KP will bring up front running the ball behind a huge line and 3-4 RB's that are all really good. I think Marshfield will be able to score. They have a great staff that wiil learn from last year's Superbowl loss to KP. Toss up but I lean KP.
D3: Mansfield vs Walpole
We played Mansfield and beat them but the game was closer than the final score of 20-0. I think they are too big and physical for Walpole. Mansfield wins.
D3: North Attleboro vs Reading
North Attleboro might be the biggest public school team. Absolutely huge team. They struggle to score but play great defense and like to pound you up front. If Reading gets up North will struggle to claw back. I think this one is a toss up and will be close but I'll take North and it will set up an All Hockomock League championship. North won 14-10 in the regular season.
D4: No picks cuz we are in it. Both games saturday at Walpole
1pm Scituate vs Grafton
6 pm Duxbury vs Tewksbury
D5: Foxboro repeats as champs beating Hanover tonight and then beating Shawsheen in the Superbowl
D6: Fairhaven wins it and repeats upsetting Hudson in the Superbowl
No idea on D7 and D8