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Significant games in the playoffs are on the horizon – Boston Herald
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Significant games in the playoffs are on the horizon – Boston Herald

We are entering the final week of the regular season and there are many matches in the tournament that could have serious consequences.

Let’s take an in-depth look at a few of these competitions.

BC High School St. At St. John’s Prep: The Eagles’ Catholic Conference battle. BC High has stamped itself as a contender by remaining undefeated, including a signature win over Xaverian. St. St. John’s Prep is coming off a lopsided loss to Catholic Memorial and would like nothing more than to knock the visiting Eagles from the ranks of the undefeated.

Milton at Natick: The Wildcats are heading into their final game of the season and desperately need a win to get to .500 and earn a spot in the Div. 3 state tournaments, an event they won a season ago. This will not be an easy task as Mark Mortarelli has the Redhawks playing well.

Walpole at Wachusett: Mike Dubzinski makes his first appearance as a member of the 200-win club. Across this field is a very dangerous Walpole team, with very few opponents in the Div. It would feel comfortable to face 3 tournaments. Congratulations are in order for Dubzinski, whose team defeated Algonquin 32-27 on Friday night to become the 62nd coach in state history to reach the 200-win mark.

North Attleboro at Foxboro: Two Hockomock League teams with the potential to play meaningful football games into November.

Manchester-Essex at Amesbury: An interesting Cape Ann League clash between powerful Div. 7 teams are fighting for a better tournament ranking.

Weymouth at Wellesley: Both teams are facing a loss and don’t want to enter the tournament on a two-game losing streak.

As good as the MIAA slate is, the ISL also has some big matches this week. The Game of the Week could be Tabor’s game in the fight for ISL-7 supremacy in BB&N. Noble and Greenough have quietly entered the bowl game but will have to contend with the defensive-minded Roxbury Latin team.

SWEET 16

1. Catholic Memorial (6-1): There was no doubt that the Knights had their best two-way performance in years to beat No. 1 St. Louis. He left St. John’s Prep behind.

2. King Philip (7-0): The Warriors have allowed just two scores in the last five weeks.

3. Needham (7-0): The Rockets leave no doubt who the leading team in the Bay State Conference is right now.

4. BC High (6-0): No disappointment here after the big win against Xaverian a week ago.

5th St. St. John’s Prep (6-1): The Eagles can’t dwell on the loss of Catholic Memorial as BC High comes to town undefeated.

6. Marshfield (6-1): The offense is really pushing the infield.

7. Xaverian (4-3): A much-needed comeback win over Malden Catholic to end a two-game losing streak.

8. Scituate (7-0): Another week, another strike for the high-flying Mariners.

9. Methuen (6-1): Solid road victory over Tewksbury heading into the regular-season finale against Lowell.

10. Natick (6-1): Really like how the Redhawks played in the final minutes.

11. Central Catholic (4-3): Caden Smith gives the Raider faithful plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the next two years.

12. Weymouth (6-1): A tough loss against an outstanding Needham team.

13th Reading (7-0): The Rockets could very well get into the Div. First place in 3 state tournaments.

14. Franklin (6-1): For the fifth time in a six-game winning streak, the Panthers limited their opponents to a single point.

15. Duxbury (6-1): Interesting game this week against a Hingham team that can move the ball.

16. Fairhaven (6-1): A solid performance against BC High looks to get better each week.