Editor's Note: The Globe's Michael Grossi provides his thoughts and insight on the upcoming weekend of Division 2 and 2A high school football.

Dan Johnson is North Attleboro’s jack-of-all-trades

North Attleboro doesn’t have the biggest or strongest players but they do have a ton of athletes. One of those athletes, Dan Johnson, is the Red Rocketeers’ Swiss army knife.

Johnson is the ultimate asset. He returns punts and kicks, is the team’s top cover corner and is a key weapon on offense. Johnson also takes on the punting duties.

So far, Johnson has six touchdowns on the young season and his punts are traveling 42.7 yards per kick.

“Dan does a little bit of everything for us,” said North Attleboro coach Don Johnson. “Offensively, he brings that big play capability. He can make people miss and is our biggest outside run threat.”

Johnson hasn’t had the chance to pad his stats as the Red Rocketeers’ have jumped out to early leads, relegating the first team to the bench. North Attleboro hasn’t allowed more than 7 points in a game yet and average over 29 points per game.

The Red Rocketeers face their first true test this week when they travel to league rival Franklin on tonight.

“This is going to be a close game,” said coach Johnson. “We don’t match up that well with Franklin. They are big and we are smaller and more athletic.”

With North Attleboro playing in Franklin and Mansfield hosting King Philip, coach Johnson believes that after this weekend, there will be a clearer title picture in the Hockomock League.

GAMES TO WATCH

King Philip at Mansfield, Friday at 7 p.m. – This has to be the most intriguing match-up in Division 2 this weekend. Both teams are ranked in the Top 20 (Mansfield at No. 5 and King Philip at No. 10) and the victor will have one less mountain to climb in the race for a Hockomock League title.

King Philip boasts one of the most dominant defenses in the state. The Warriors allow 3.5 points per game, which is the lowest amount in Eastern Mass. Alec May leads the charge for the Warriors from his defensive end position. May recorded eight tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and returned a pick for a touchdown in a win over Foxboro last week.

Offensively, King Philip is led by their running back tandem of Chris Cacciola and Charles Ruffin. Cacciola is a bit more of a bruiser but has the ability to split out wide and lead block. Ruffin is a speed demon that can cause fits with his agility and play-making ability.

Mansfield perennially sits near or atop the Hockomock League standings. The Hornets’ combination of a solid ground game and an unyielding defense is what brings them success. Jamel Marshall is the feature back for the Hornets. He is fast and quick but also possesses power. Jeff Hill is probably the biggest weapon for Mansfield. The split end has the ability go outrun defenders and produce in the passing game. He adds another dimension to the Mansfield offense.

However, the Hornets haven’t been as dominant this season, making it a now or never situation for King Philip.