Movers and Shakers, Week 6

Lets take a closer look at some teams who saw their stock rise this past week.

• St. Johns Shrewsbury - What do Longmeadow and Fitchburg have in common?  They both were dismantled by a powerful and explosive SJS team.  What else do they have in common?  Both gave Top 5 Eastern Mass teams (Catholic Memorial and Brockton) all they could handle, with Longmeadow pulling off the upset.  This tells us two things: Eastern Mass teams no longer can count a game against a Western Mass opponent as an automatic win, and SJS may very well be the best team in the state.  Although I think the Xaverian may have something to say about that when they meet.
• Methuen - Seems silly to put this team on this list given them being in the top 10 for two straight weeks, but their play against Chelmsford was down right impressive.  They can no longer be seen as a team with an A offense and a B defense.  They moved the ball at will, and were able to put the Chelmsford offense in uncomfortable situations all game long.  This team has made everyone forget about their Week 1 letdown. 
• Mansfield - I'm still shocked this team was able to lay a goose egg on King Phillip.  But by doing so Mansfield was able to show it's more than just a team with a potent rushing attack.  I don't see this anyone else on their schedule being able to hang with this team.
• Norton - These kids can play.  They've racked up a 5-0 record, have outscored opponents 114-48, and last week knocked off previously undefeated (and conference foe) Westwood 28-6.  Zach Schwieger leads a rushing attack that has been able to help this team control the tempo week in and week out.   
• Breakthrough Team of the Week: Longmeadow - Better late than never.  Longmeadow's traffic problems delayed their kickoff with Catholic Memorial, but it didn't deter the Lancers from avenging last years heartbreaking loss.  Terry Norris and Nathan Elder are the quintessential Thunder and Lightning tandem, and their defense is well coached and disciplined.  But their performance did much more for Western Mass than they know.  Their come from behind win put to rest the  myth that the top western teams can't hang with the east's elite.  It also propelled them into our Top 10.