Championship week is right here.
Sixteen groups will converge on Gillette in hopes of being of the eight groups to be topped an MIAA State Champion of their respective divisions. You have a number of completely different themes starting from repeat hopes (Springfield Central and Catholic Memorial) to groups seeking to atone for final yr’s title recreation setback (Duxbury, Hull and North Reading) in addition to groups seeking to full an undefeated season (Catholic Memorial, Duxbury, Milton, Wakefield, Hull and Shawsheen).
Here is our fast breakdown and last predictions by division.
Div. 1: St. John’s Prep vs, Springfield Central, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Springfield Central will attempt to defend its Div. 1 crown towards a proficient St. John’s Prep crew peaking on the proper time. For the Eagles to have any shot at an upset, they have to a discover a option to decelerate William Watson and the explosive Golden Eagles offense — simpler mentioned than achieved.
St. John’s Prep, blessed with terrific athletes on the ability positions, could also be the perfect outfitted of any Div. 1 groups to problem Springfield Central. Don’t be stunned if this recreation is nearer than folks assume.
Pick: Springfield Central
Div. 2: Catholic Memorial vs. King Philip, Saturday, 8 p.m.
A rematch of final yr’s championship contest, received by Catholic Memorial, 42-18. King Philip hung robust with the Catholic Conference champions for 3 quarters earlier than the Knights took over. The identical situation may very nicely play out right here once more.
Pick: Catholic Memorial
Div. 3: Milton vs. Wakefield, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Someone’s 0 has acquired to go within the battle of unbeatens. Bay State Conference champion Milton will probably be seeking to win the primary soccer championship at school historical past and can lean on standouts resembling Owen McHugh and Jack Finnegan to get the job achieved. Wakefield opened some eyes with an early win over Div. 6 Super Bowl entry Stoneham and rode the wave to an undefeated season behind league MVP Javin Willis, proficient TE Ian Dixon and a gaggle of hard-nosed gamers.
Pick: Wakefield
Div. 4: Duxbury vs. Grafton, Friday, 8 p.m.
Duxbury returns to the Div. 4 championship after a last-second loss to Scituate a yr in the past. Quarterback Matt Festa has put collectively the most effective seasons in latest historical past, a menace together with his arm or his legs. Grafton received its first 11 video games earlier than dropping to Millbury on Thanksgiving when head coach Chris McMahon determined to relaxation his starters. Prior to that recreation, the Gators had allowed simply 11 touchdowns of their final 9 video games.
Pick: Duxbury
Div. 5: North Reading vs. Shawsheen, Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Senior-laden North Reading returns to Gillette for the second straight yr seeking the college’s first title. Cape Ann League MVP Alex Carucci leads a high-powered offense that averaged over 30 factors a recreation. Shawsheen is not any shrinking violet on offense both as sophomore quarterback Sidney Tildsley orchestrated an assault which scored not less than 20 factors in each recreation.
Pick: North Reading
Div. 6: Stoneham vs. St. Mary’s, Saturday, 3 p.m.
A terrific matchup between two hard-hitting, well-coached groups. St. Mary’s has received seven straight, together with a state semifinal win over defending champion Rockland. Catholic Central League MVP David Brown is a standout on each side of the ball.
Stoneham is available in on the heels on a incredible Thanksgiving Day win over an excellent Reading squad. Colin Farren is a menace any time he has the ball and Jason Nutting is a strong quarterback.
Pick: Stoneham
Div. 7: St. Bernard’s vs. West Boylston, Friday, 3 p.m.
An all-Central Mass. last between two groups who like to run the ball. Since per week 2 loss to Div. 6 state finalist Stoneham, St. Bernard’s has ripped off 10 straight wins, together with a formidable semifinal conquer defending champion Cohasset. West Boylston is seeking to go an ideal 3-0 in championship video games, defeating an excellent Amesbury crew within the semifinals to reach right here.
Pick: St. Bernard’s
Div. 8: Hull vs. KIPP, Saturday, 10 a.m.
Hull has been on a mission since dropping to Randolph within the championship recreation a yr in the past. A veteran solid led by league MVP John Gianibas put collectively a 12-0 season together with a win over Cohasset on Thanksgiving to win the South Shore League Tobin title. Juan Setalsingh has put collectively a fantastic season for a KIPP squad making its first championship recreation look.
Pick: Hull
THANKSGIVING PICKS: 12-5 (.706)
SEASON TO DATE: 92-39 (.702)
Source: www.bostonherald.com
