Week 10 Radar

• Malden at #1 Everett - Everett is the hands down favorite, but both rosters are similar to last year, when the Golden Tornadoes came incredibly close to knocking off the Crimson Tide.  Malden has been inconsistent to say the least, but has shown signs of regaining its swagger, beating their last two opponents by a combined score of 55-7.  Their fate in this one will be in the hands of their defense.  Everett has posted 40-plus points in five games, and the DiBiaso-Costello-Aspirlla monster has scored more than once in every game.  If Malden's defensive line can use their size to help take away the Everett rushing attack, allowing them to use their linebackers in pass coverage, they'll give themselves a good chance at the upset.  
• #4 Xaverian at Catholic Memorial - This might be my favorite game this weekend.  Xaverian comes off a dominating shutout win over BC High where they were able to totally take away the Eagles' play makers.  CM lost to #2 Brockton last week on a 41 yard strike with seven seconds left in the game.  If CM is able to put that loss behind them and realize that given the way they played they have the capability to beat anyone, they have an outstanding shot at handing the Hawks their first conference loss of the year.  Their first order of business will be to feed juniors Donovan Henry and Will Earl.  Xaverian has arguably the best run defense in the state, but Henry and Earl both have the ability to wear teams down, then break-off big chunks of yards.  If they can get them going, it will buy junior quarterback Adam Doyle more time to make plays down field.  
• New Bedford at #3 Brockton - You have to like the Boxers in this one.  But New Bedford has a talented team, and given the way the Boxers have played the last few weeks, the Whalers should like their chances to win this game and steal the Big Three.  New Bedford has won three straight, and quarterback Myles Medeiros has found his stride, scoring six times in the last three games.  He'll need to protect the ball and make quick decisions in order to keep the Brockton defense on its heels.  For Brockton, they need their offense to find more balance.  Trevon Offley has been the catalyst since returning from injury, but the passing games has looked inconsistent of late.  If quarterback Paul Mroz can use the play action effectively, the Boxers should cruise.
• Central Catholic at Billerica - Central Catholic is in the drivers seat but needs a win against Billerica to put them in a position to win the Merrimack Valley with a victory Thanksgiving.  It's no secret what you have to do to beat the Indians: slow Nick LeSpada.  The good news for the Raiders is a number of teams who aren't as talented as they are have been able to do so.  Billerica's defense is porous, so Central Catholic will almost certainly score a good amount of points.  But if they're not able to take away the Billerica ground game and put the offense squarely on LeSpada's shoulders, they'll open the door for Billerica to jump right back into the MVL race.
• Lexington at #10 Reading - This is a trap game.  The Rockets will wrap up another trip to the postseason with a win against Lexington.  But the Minutemen can also keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a win.  Lexington has good size up front and has proven they can be disruptive on the defensive side of the ball.  If the Minutemen can get in Reading quarterback Brian Bourque's face, this one will be much closer than expected.