Thanksgiving Radar

Regardless of records or standings, Thanksgiving is everyones Super Bowl.  Here is a mini-preview of what to watch for in each game.

• #1 Everett (9-0) at Cambridge (4-0)
• Everett has one goal and one goal only (besides winning): keep everyone healthy.
• Bridgewater-Raynham (8-2) at Brockton (8-2)
• What was expected to be a battle of playoff-bound teams has turned into a nice tune-up for B-R before heading into their match-up with Weymouth.  One thing is for sure: B-R won't play another team as good as Brockton in 2010 unless they meet Gloucester in the Championship.
  
• #2 Gloucester (10-0) at Danver (1-8)
• Gloucester has the same goal as Everett: stay healthy.  Look for them to score early and often, then give the younger guys some burn. 
  
• Foxborough (5-5) at #6 Mansfield (9-1)
• Foxborough can finish an up and down season by upsetting league champ Mansfield on the road.
  
• Dracut (7-3) at #5 Methuen (9-1)
• This is the Merrimack Valley Small Championship.  Cal Carroll and Matt Silva are two of the best quarterbacks in the state, and whichever plays best will most likely lead their team to a win.
• #8 Reading (10-0) at Stoneham (0-10)
• Reading is looking for their 24th straight win.  Stoneham is looking for win number one, but don't expect them to roll over.
• St. John's Prep (6-4) at #3 Xaverian (8-2)
• Winner take all battle for the Catholc Conference title.
• Duxbury (10-0) at Marshfield (5-4)
• Mansfield fans will have an eye on the Plymouth North/Plymouth South showdown, as a South win would propel them to the post season.  If North wins, a victory over 10-0 Duxbury would be the perfect consolation prize.    
• #10 Walpole (10-0) at #7 Weymouth (10-0)
• Both teams are bowl bound, both teams despise the other.  If Walpole doesn't wrap up the Colarusso's, they lose.  If Weymouth doesn't wrap up Kenny Woods, they lose.  If both team's don't tackle, we're looking at Andover-Lowell part two. 
• North Attleboro (9-1) at Attleborough (8-2) 
• North Attleborough is coming off a huge win against King Phillip, but if they don't find a way to bottle up Nate Robitaille, their season will end on a very sour note. 
• Plymouth South at Plymouth North 
• The winner here plays ACL spoiler: a South win sends Marshfield to the playoffs, and a North win punches Dennis-Yarmouth's ticket. 
• Franklin (6-4) at King Philip (7-2) 
• King Phillip is the favorite, but Franklin fans fondly remember the feeling of smacking around the Chieftains last year.
• Catholic Memorial (5-4) at BC High (5-4)
• In what I believe will be a preview of the game that decides who represents the Catholic Conference in the 2011 playoffs, BC High attempts to knock off their rival and grab a share of this year's title. 
• Westford (6-4) at Acton-Boxborough (8-2) 
• Since their somewhat surprising loss to Lincoln-Sudbury that ended their playoff chances, A-B has struggled.  They'll need to get back on track quickly if they want to slow Zach Ingalls.
• Central Catholic (7-3) at Andover (7-3)
• Winner take all implications in this one.  The offensive line that plays best will lead their team to a win.
• Lynn English (6-4) at Lynn Classical (8-2)
• Classical is coming off a painful loss to Gloucester that cost them the league, but they can't afford a letdown against a Lynn English team that remembers how thoroughly they were dominated last year.
• Millis (3-7) at Medway (8-2)
• After losing to Holliston in the TVL championship, this has turned into Medway's Super Bowl.
• Case (3-6) at Somerset (10-0)
• It'll take some serious holiday magic for Case to stun a physical Somerset team. 
• Holliston (9-1) at Westwood (7-3)
• A good tune up for Holliston heading into the playoffs, as Westwood is a very good team that will be trying to avenge a lopsided loss earlier in the season to these same Panthers.
• East Bridgewater (8-2) at Rockland (10-0)
• What looked to be a battle for the league title was derailed last weekend as East Bridgewater failed to take care of business against Mashpee. 
• Archbishop Williams (2-7) at Cardinal Spellman (10-0)
• Spellman has already clinched the league, and Archbishop Williams is the only thing standing between them and a perfect regular season.
• Dennis-Yarmouth (9-1) at Nauset (6-4)
• Dennis-Yarmouth will visit Nauset in hopes of earning their 10th win, but they'd gladly trade that for a Plymouth North victory.
• Maconomet (2-8) at North Andover (9-1)
• North Andover proved last week that they have a great run game to compliment their high flying passing attack, and will look to continue their nine game win streak against a physical Masco bunch.
• Seekonk (7-2) at Dighton-Rehoboth (9-1)
• Biggest game of the year for Seekonk, as they can send their rivals to the postseason with a sour taste in their mouths.
• Tewksbury (4-6) at Wilmington (8-2)
• Don't let Tewksbury's record fool you; this team can score points in droves.
• Billerica (5-5) at Chelmsford (6-4)
• Chelmsford needs a win to stay eligible for the post-season.
• Wellesley (7-3) at Needham (8-2)
• These two teams have played a few times, and this one could be one of the best ever, as both teams are second in their respective conferences. 
• Abington (8-2) at Whitman-Hanson (2-7)
• If Whitman-Hanson wants to finish their season on a high note, they'll need to do a good job wrapping up Abington's John Lane.
• St. Mary's (9-1) at Lynn Tech (1-8)
• St. Mary was 13 points away from playing for a state title.  A win against Lynn Tech will be a nice consolation prize. 
• Falmouth (5-4) at Barnstable (6-4)
• With Nelson Baptiste nursing an injury, who will Falmouth turn to in trying to slow down the DJ Crook-Jordan Henderson connection?   
• Concord-Carlisle (8-2) at Bedford (5-4)
• Bedford would like nothing more than to ride back Demetrius Steed to a win over the now back to back league champs.
• Norton (7-3) at Bellingham (3-7)
• It'll take a big day from Bellingham's Tyler Smith to knock off Norton and their stingy defense.   
• Burlington (6-4) at Lexington (5-5)
• Name another Division 2 team that will return as much talent as Burlington next year?  They're my sleeper pick for 2011, and if you watch Marcus Odiah and Kyle Shield, you'll see why.
• Wayland (5-5) at Weston (9-1)
• Weston may have one of the best offensive and defensive lines in Division 2A, and if Wayland doesn't find a way to neutralize them, they'll learn that the hard way.
• Triton (0-10) at Pentucket (7-3)
• What is the only way to salvage a ten loss season? Beat your rivals, who may still be reeling from the whopping they took against North Andover last week.
• Watertown (7-3) at Belmont (3-7)
• CJ Logan's last hurrah as a Red Raider will be full of big plays. 
• Blue Hills (9-1) at Bristol-Plymouth (3-6)
• Only one opponent has come within 20 points of Blue Hills this year. 
• Scituate (8-2) at Hingham (6-4)
• Hingham is coming off a one point loss to undefeated Duxbury, and would love to end their season by knocking off the Sailors.
• Old Rochester (4-6) at Apponequet (8-2)
• Apponequet, while being out of the playoff picture, can grab a share of the South Coast crown with a victory.
• Ipswich (4-5) at Hamilton-Wenham (7-2)
• The previous few years had been tough on Ipswich, but they were able to have some success this year, and if they can knock off league champion Hamilton-Wenham, it would give them some big time momentum heading into 2011.
• Sandwich (2-7) at Mashpee (8-2)
• Mashpee has had more success this season, but Sandwich has played the tougher competition.  This one will be fun to watch. 
• Hull (3-6) at Cohasset (6-3)
• Aside from two tough games against East Bridgewater and Rockland, Hull looked like a pretty good team this year.  They'll need to make sure they lock up Cohasset receiver Jack Carrier if they hope to win this one. 
• Natick (6-4) at Framingham (6-4)
• Once upon a time, a person near and dear to me was on a team that needed a nine win Natick team to beat a two win Framingham team in order for his team to go to the playoffs.  They didn't; so I've rooted for Framingham to win by way of a blow-out every year from then on.  Go Flyers. 
• Newton South (1-9) at Lincoln-Sudbury (7-3)
• It confuses me how a team with as many talented skill players as Newton South has struggled the way they have, but there is no time like the present to right their ship.  
• South Boston (4-4) at East Boston (6-3)
• Eastie was surprisingly outplayed by Madison Park last week, and will need their offense to find its explosiveness in order to knock off James Toles and South Boston. 
• Madison Park (6-1) at O'Bryant (6-3)
• Madison Park starts a very tough stretch that includes a game this Friday against Dorchester, then continues Thanksgiving against O'Bryant and the following Tuesday against whoever they draw as a first round opponent. 
• Greater Lowell (0-9) at Shawsheen (8-1)
• Greater Lowell has had a tough year, being outscored 318-46.  Not good news when your going up against a Shawsheen team that is averaging 30 points scored and only giving up 10.
• Lowell Catholic (8-1) at Pope John (7-2)
• A winner take all battle that will depend heavily on Lowell Catholic's ability to cover Pope Johns Malcolm Brown-Simpson. 
• Northeast (8-2) at North Shore (9-1)
• See our extended preview of this game below.
• Holbrook (3-5) at West Bridgewater (8-1)
• West Bridgewater looks to push their win streak to eight with a win over a Holbrook team that has lost 5 of their last 6. 
• Durfee (3-7) at New Bedford (5-4) 
• New Bedford is headed back to the post season for the first time in a long time, and a win over Durfee would be the perfect end to a wild season.  
• Malden Catholic (5-5) at Waltham (5-4)
• A new rivalry for these two teams, both of whom have shown signs of being very explosive offensively.  
• Medford (0-9) at Malden (4-5)
• One of the best rivalries in the state, but it will take Medford's best effort of the year to hang with the Golden Tornadoes.  
• Matignon (4-5) at Somerville (3-6)
• Somerville may have too much size for Matignon to be able to contend with.  
• Haverhill (0-10) at Lowell (4-6)
• Lowell has quietly had a pretty good season despite their record.  Haverhill will need a lot more from their offense than they've gotten thus far.
  
• Brookline (1-9) at Newton North (4-6)
• Brookline is young, green, and has had a tough season.  Newton North boasts some dangerous players and has had a fair amount of success.  In other words, these two teams are essentially spitting images of what they were last year...when Brookline won. 
• Milton (3-7) at Braintree (2-8)
• In order for Braintree to salvage their season with a win over their rivals, they'll need to make sure they keep an eye on Milton running back Kemani Jones at all times.
• Dedham (1-9) at Norwood (2-8)
• Two teams that had down seasons square off in what is always one of the most physical Thanksgiving match-ups.
• Sharon (1-8-1) at Oliver Ames (3-6)
• Aside from taking their lumps against the three power programs in their conference, these two teams have played tough this year, showing quite a bit of fight.  
• Salem (NH) at Lawrence (3-7)
• Lawrence will welcome a visitor from up North in hopes that they can end what their tumultuous season on a high note.
  
• Winchester (4-6) at Woburn (5-4)
• In your classic blue collar (Woburn) vs. white collar (Winchester) town game, Woburn hopes junior Chucky Ortiz can continue his electrifying play and lead them to a W. 
• Melrose (3-7) at Wakefield (5-4)
• The Wakefield offense comes into this one on fire, having put up 85 points in the last two games.  Melrose hopes to continue the strong defensive effort they had last week against Stoneham.
  
• Arlington Catholic (2-8) at Arlington (2-8)
• Private vs. Public here as the winner will have bragging rights and the better overall record for 2010.  
• Tyngsborough (4-5) at Gorton-Dunstable
• Tyngsborough has lost four straight, but all were to the top teams in their league.  They'll look to quarterback Ben Durand to help them finish the season with a .500 record.
• Pembroke (5-4) at Silver Lake (6-4)
• Pembroke gave up a lot of points to Scituate last week, and if they don't fix the problems, Silver Lake's Matt Graziano will carve them up.
• Quincy (4-6) at North Quincy (5-5)
• Battle of unheralded but talented backs as North Quincy's Seyi Adesuyan and Quincy's Jalen Green square off for city bragging rights. 
  
• Randolph (4-6) at Bishop Feehan (4-6)
• Randolph is on a three game winning streak and look nothing like the Blue Devils teams of 08 and 09.  Bishop Feehan has won four of their last five, scoring 159 and giving up 80 during that stretch. 
  
• Bishop Stang (4-6) at Bishop Connolly (1-7)
• Stang has fought tough all year, and junior Logan Sullo has quietly been making a name for himself. 
  
• Coyle & Cassidy (0-10) at Taunton (0-9)
• This game features the two most talented winless teams in the state. 
• Salem (5-5) at Beverly (5-5)
• Beverly is playoff bound (and has a hell of a shot at winning at least their first round game), but beating Salem and avoiding finishing the season under .500 has to mean a lot to this unit. 
• Marblehead (5-5) at Swampscott (7-3)
• Swampscott has dropped two of their last three, and the Magicians have found their stride of late, winning three of their last four.
  
• Winthrop (2-8) at Revere (3-7)
• In Trae Weathers last game, I fully expect three touchdowns, one of 70-plus yards.
• Saugus (4-5) at Peabody (4-6)
• Saugus is looking to finish the season .500, while Peabody is hoping its offense can get back on track after totaling only 6 points the last two weeks.
• Middleborough (3-7) at Carver (0-10)
• Expect plenty of big plays, as this will be the final time Sachem fans get to see the Wiksten to Newcomb connection.  
• Hanover (3-7) at Norwell (1-9)
• Hanover needs big days out of Nick and Matt Lane to avoid making their season any tougher.  For Norwell, any offense would be welcomed, as they've been shutout in five of their last six games.
  
• Bourne (5-5) at Wareham (1-9)
• Bourne followed up two tough losses with a blowout of Fairhaven, while Wareham hopes to snap their eight game losing streak.  
• Greater New Bedford (4-6) at Diman (6-4)
• GNB has a worse record but has played tougher teams, which means this is anyones games.
  
• Fairhaven (0-9) at Dartmouth (3-7)
• Fairhaven has had tons of struggles this year, and a Dartmouth line that boast two of the top 15 linemen in the state is exactly what they don't want to see Thanksgiving.
• Newburyport (6-4) at Amesbury (4-6)
• Both teams had success in league play.  A Newburyport win coupled with a Hamilton-Wenham loss would mean the Clippers would tie for the league title, although playoffs are out of the question.    
• North Reading (1-8) at Lynnfield (8-2)
• Lynnfield has struggled mightily down the stretch, and North Reading needs that to continue . 
• Georgetown (1-8) at Manchester Essex (6-3)
• Manchester Essex was smacked by Shawsheen last weekend, but they've won two of their last three and face a Georgetown team that hasn't won a game since October 16.  
• Bishop Fenwick (3-7) at Austin Prep (5-5)
• Prep was preparing for a Super Bowl run this time last year, but will have to settle for a win over struggling BF as their 2010 signature win.
• Hopkinton (5-5) at Ashland (0-10)
• Hopkington has shown signs they can be a dangerous team, losing two games by single digits and winning their last three.  For Ashland to get win number one, they'll need their defense to perform way better than they have.
  
• Medfield (5-5) at Dover-Sherborn (3-7)
• Medfield has been up and down since winning three straight early in the season. Dover-Sherborn is at their best when their defense is playing well, as they've only given up 6 points total in their three wins.  
  
• Latin Academy (4-5) at Charlestown (4-5)
• Charlestown has been a completely different team this year, and there would be no better way to end their remarkable season than a win over their rivals.
  
• Boston English (0-10) at Boston Latin (3-7)
• This one could get ugly, fast.  One of the oldest rivalries in the country features two teams who despite both struggling, there is quite a gap between their talent levels. 
  
• Greater Lawrence (7-3) at Whittier (5-5)
• This will be one of the more evenly matched games.  Both teams can put up points quickly, and both defenses have shown the ability to shut their opponents down.  
• Southeastern (7-3) at South Shore Voc-Tech (4-5)
• Southeastern offense has been carrying them all year, with Daryl Intasi pacing an offense that has scored 100 points in their last three games.  SSVT lost their chance to steal the league last weekend against Blue Hills, but have down well in league play, going 3-1.  
• Hyde Park (2-8) at Burke (1-9)
• Two tough teams do battle in what will be a preview of two potential sleepers in 2011.
• St. Clement (4-5) at Trinity Catholic (1-7)
• Trinty Catholic has won one game since 2008, and in order to beat St. Clement, they'll need a better effort from a defense that is giving up 29 points per game.
• Marian (2-8) at Cathedral (4-6)
• Marian looks for their first league win against a Cathedral team that snuck by Trinity Catholic last weekend.  
• Mystic Valley (5-5) at Minuteman (4-5)
• Both teams are looking for their first league win.  
• Tri-County (2-8) at Old Colony (1-8)
• Old Colony will try to snap their eight game losing streak by slowing Tri-County's rushing attack.
  
• Cape Cod Tech (1-8) at Upper Cape
• This is a Saturday game that features two young teams with hopes of building momentum heading into next year.