There will always be debate about the state’s relatively new tournament system for football. No matter how many tweaks the MIAA makes to perfect it, someone is always going to find a fault.
Yet most can agree that it creates great postseason matchups. During the opening round of the playoffs, the higher seed won 54 out of the 62 matchups (87 percent clip), essentially proving the formula ranks the schools correctly for the most part. While there were a handful of blowouts in the Round of 16, that number is expected to drop drastically. From here on out, expect incredible bouts. Here are some of the best quarterfinals.
Leominster vs. St. John’s Prep
Since a 2-2 start, Leominster has been on a tear with a five-game winning streak. The eighth-seeded Blue Devils (7-2) are coming off a 42-21 romp of No. 9 Franklin in their Div. 1 first round matchup, powered by Coastal Carolina commit Osiris Lopez (250 passing yards, 73 rushing yards, five total touchdowns). The top-ranked Eagles (9-0) are a prime candidate to end that successful run. St. John’s Prep coasted past Framingham (38-0) in its opening bout and Brian St. Pierre’s group is on a revenge tour.
Connelly’s pick: St. John’s Prep
Murray’s pick: St. John’s Prep
Central Catholic vs. Natick
James Mortarelli has been fantastic all season for fourth-seeded Natick (7-2) and kicked off the Div. 1 playoffs with another highlight-reel performance (112 yards rushing, two touchdowns during a 35-14 romp of No. 13 Weymouth. No. 5 Central Catholic (6-3) coasted to a 39-7 drubbing of No. 12 St. John’s (Shrewsbury) with Caden Chase (three touchdowns rushing) being the sparkplug.
Connelly’s pick: Central Catholic
Murray’s pick: Natick
North Attleboro vs. Barnstable
A very difficult game to predict. On one hand, there’s the reigning Div. 3 state champion in No. 7 North Attleboro (7-2), which is fresh off a 21-14 victory over No. 10 Milford. The Rocketeers have lost many key pieces, but keep winning. On the other, there’s one of the state’s most improved teams with second-ranked Barnstable (8-1) looking just about unbeatable. Last week, the Red Hawks also managed a 21-14 victory, as Jayson Dyer (94 yards rushing) scampered for two more touchdowns against No. 15 Doherty.
Connelly’s pick: Barnstable
Murray’s pick: Barnstable
Burlington vs. Duxbury
If there’s one school that has had a winning pedigree the last two decades, it’s Duxbury. The fourth-seeded Dragons (6-3) have made a Super Bowl appearance in five straight seasons, including the last four in Div. 4. Matt Landolfi’s group found its footing again with a 39-12 win over No. 13 Holliston last week. Yet No. 5 Burlington (9-0) feels like a team of destiny. For the first time since 2006, the Red Devils enjoyed an undefeated regular season. They claimed the Middlesex League (Freedom) title and silenced a strong squad in No. 12 Dartmouth (13-0 win) in their playoff opener.
Connelly’s pick: Burlington
Murray’s pick: Duxbury
North Reading vs. Medfield
Gavin Brady (four total touchdowns last week) has stepped up when it matters and led fifth-seeded North Reading (8-1) during a 42-7 rout of No. 12 Marlboro. This will not be such an easy matchup Friday night for the Hornets, as they will be tasked with No. 4 Medfield (9-0). The Warriors are having their best campaign in a while, and Brady McCormack (218 yards rushing, three touchdowns last week) continues to be the catalyst.
Connelly’s pick: Medfield
Murray’s pick: Medfield
Uxbridge vs. Amesbury
The seventh-ranked team in this year’s Div. 7 field, Uxbridge (7-2) entered the season on the state’s longest winning streak. That came to a halt at 31 games Oct. 10 in a triple-overtime loss to Auburn, but the Spartans have rebounded behind stars like Camden LaChapelle and are attempting to reach Gillette for a third straight year. Second-seeded Amesbury (9-0) has been a buzzsaw for opponents, however. Last week, Jake Dube was opportunistic (6-for-8 passing, 94 yards, three touchdowns) and crucial for the Redhawks during an impressive 43-8 rout of No. 15 South Hadley.
Connelly’s pick: Amesbury
Murray’s pick: Uxbridge
Records
Connelly’s week: 3-4; season: 64-31
Murray’s week: 4-3; season: 64-31
Combined: 128-62
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
