Week 8 Radar

We've got two Games of the Week, but a few other games have gotten our attention as well.

• Catholic Memorial at Saint John's Prep - Catholic Memorial got all it could handle from Malden Catholic last week, but I think SJP is a more well rounded team.  The major difference between MC and SJP is the talent level on the offensive and defensive lines.  The Eagles' bigs gave #2 St. John's Shrewsbury fits, and I expect them to do the same against CM.  I'm not sure if that will be enough, however.  Camren Williams is finding his form, and William Earl is, well, William Earl.  If Adam Doyle is making plays downfield, Prep may not be able to keep up.
• #6 Mansfield at North Attleboro - Battle of two of the most electrifying offenses in the state.  Defense, as is often the case, will be the deciding factor.  Mansfield's Jamel Marshal will get 100-plus yards and a few scores, and North Attleboro will have some lightning quick scores.  But the team that wins the turnover battle will take this game, and the league crown.  How close are these two teams statistically?  North Attleboro is scoring 34 points a game and giving up five.  Mansfield is putting up 32 a contest while allowing 10.   Subtract the Hornets week one loss to Aquinas Institute (NY) and those numbers change to 37 and seven.  Each defense has also been able to pitch two shut-outs.
• Burlington at #10 Reading - Another match-up between teams whose offenses steal the show, but their defenses will prove the difference.  Burlington sophomore Michael Odiah and junior Kyle Shield have combined for nine touchdowns in their last three games.  Reading boasts an offense that can beat you with a plethora of options, none more dangerous than quarterback Brian Bourque.  Reading has been the more dominant team on defense, so they'll most likely be everyones favorite.  But if Odiah is able to find space, don't be shocked if Burlington is the team that continues its win streak.
• Plymouth North at Barnstable - Tough group of kids on that Plymouth North squad.  They knocked off previously unbeaten Falmouth with ease last week, and their two losses have been to Aquinas Institute (NY) and undefeated Duxbury.  Every game has been tough, yet they've found a way to pull them out.  Here is what they haven't seen yet: an offense like the Red Raiders.  The most comparable was Methuen (which they beat), but as good as Methuen quarterback Cam Carrol is, Doug Crook is on another level.  They'll have to do one of two things to keep the good vibes from last weeks upset going: score more than the 17.9 points per game they've put up to this point, or make Crook move the pocket and beat you with his legs.  If they fail to do both, look for Barnstable to take this one with ease.
• Waltham at Acton-Boxborough - Remember when A-B was a state power, never dropping outside the top 10?  Well this team has the look of their predecessors.  They've earned three shutouts on their way to allowing an astonishing 5.9 points per game.  Rob Goguen has bruised his way to 9 touchdowns, and since losing to Chelmsford, they've rattled off five straight, outscoring opponents 138-28 during that stretch.  But Waltham is always ready for a fight.  They're 3-3, but their losses have come to teams with a combined record of 14-7.  A-B is the better team, but this is your classic trap game.  Look for Waltham to try and capitalize on the Colonials defensive aggression early and often.