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Week 3: 10 games to watch in EMass

Posted by Anthony Gulizia, Globe Correspondent  September 20, 2012 11:50 PM
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Anthony is trending closer to that .500 mark on the year with a 5-5 Week 2 performance. That said, Jason breezed through the picks, courtesy of Tewksbury’s surprise 30-22 win over Haverhill, Hingham’s win over Cohasset and Needham’s win over Mansfield.

Results so far:

Week 2: Mastro 8-2; Anthony 5-5
Season: Mastro 14-6; Anthony 11-9

Here are our 10 games to watch for Week 3, along with our predictions.

No. 2 St. John’s Prep (2-0) at No. 1 Everett (2-0), Saturday, 2:30 p.m.:

Anthony: Everything about picking against Everett just feels wrong, so how can picking St. John’s Prep feel right? Two words – Jonathan Thomas. But I’ll let Jason discuss that (see below). Quarterback Jack Shario has shown he is capable of making the right plays at the right time. After throwing just three TDs his junior year, he’s already thrown four in the first two games of the season (wins against Dracut and Central Catholic). The Eagles have slightly moved away from the option offense, showing a more balanced attack that looks strong enough to give Everett trouble. However, the Tide can never be underestimated, especially with their gargantuan offensive line and talented wide receivers. Gilly De Souza has proved he is more than capable at bridging Everett’s gap under center, and the Prep’s top-notch defense will certainly be tested. If Dick Vitale were here, he’d say “This game’s gonna be awesome baby, with a capital A!”
St. John’s Prep 30, Everett 27. 

Mastro: Having Thomas on both sides of the ball this year has proved to be quite the weapon for St. John’s Prep. He’s one of the better overall athletes I’ve seen, no question about it. And his counterpart on the rushing attack, Alex Moore, is no scrub either. But my concern for the Prep is that these guys will be tested defensively for the first time this season. They’ve been able to take it relatively easy the first two weeks – with no slight to Dracut or Central Catholic, but compared to the wide receivers they’ll have to defend on Saturday, it will have seemed like a cakewalk. I think this is going to be a battle till the end. And I know I said I wouldn’t pick against the Eagles until they lost, but I’ve got a feeling Everett survives another week thanks to a strong fourth-quarter push.
Everett 28, St. John’s Prep 21.

Lynn English (1-1) at No. 17 Beverly (2-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.:

Anthony: Another great game on Saturday afternoon, as the Bulldogs try to get back on track against Beverly. But it won’t be easy, as the Panthers have steamrolled to two wins, outscoring opponents 66-14. Last year, Beverly won a wild 36-35 decision by scoring a touchdown in the final minute and Kenny Pierce rushed for five touchdowns. Unfortunately, for the Bulldogs, Pierce is back for this year’s installment of the matchup, alongside running back Brendan Flaherty.
Beverly 28, English 17.

Mastro: The Panthers have looked impressive on paper this season, no doubt. What I thought would be a pair of close games against Concord-Carlisle and Lynn Classical instead ended in embarrassment for the road teams. Lynn English does have some talented players, with the speedy Josh Batista making it tough for opponents to beat the Bulldogs through the air, but I think Beverly will be too much for them to handle.
Beverly 35, English 20.
 
No. 4 Xaverian (1-1) at No. 12 Brockton (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.:

Anthony: The larger-than-life, 20-foot statue of Rocky Marciano will be unveiled at Brockton High School Sunday afternoon, and the Boxers will certainly have a heavyweight fight on their hands Friday night. Xaverian is fresh off a 62-0 loss to St. Joseph’s (N.J.), while Brockton is coming off a 12-0 loss to Reading, and both are going to be chomping at the bit. I think Xaverian’s defensive line, anchored by Maurice Hurst, will give the Boxers trouble as they try to work out the kinks in their triple option attack.
Xaverian 20, Brockton 12.

Mastro: Really not sure which Brockton team is going to show up, because if it’s the one that never came off the bus in Reading last weekend, this could get ugly. But there’s something about getting your face smashed in by 62 points that makes me wonder how the Hawks will bounce back. They started the year 4-0 last year, and once they lost their first game, they ended up losing four of the next five. If the Boxers can come ready to play the way they did in Week 1, I think they can pull this one out.
Brockton 22, Xaverian 20.
 
Revere (2-0) at Swampscott (1-1), Saturday, 12 p.m.:

Anthony: A classic North Shore matchup in which Swampscott got the better of Revere last season with a 28-0 victory. I don’t expect the same this year, as Revere comes out with its third win of the season. That’s no bias, is it? (RHS ’09)
Revere 24, Swampscott 20.

Mastro: You homer! Just kidding, if you picked against your own school, they wouldn’t let you back in those hallways again. I actually have to agree with you. I think the way Revere has spread the ball around between quarterback Joel Ritchie, tailback Tommy Portait and wideout Kyle Gotham has shown that it’s a team capable of putting up points in multiple ways. And considering Swampscott doesn’t have a single starter back from last year’s team, this one should be all Revere.
Revere  29, Swampscott 14.
 
Wareham (2-0) at Apponequet (1-1), Friday, 4 p.m.:

Anthony: Darien Fernandez rushed for six touchdowns in Wareham’s 51-14 demolition of Falmouth in Week 1, and Anthony Abbott threw two TDs and rushed for two more in last week’s 35-6 win over Case. Which will star in Friday’s game at Apponequet? If I say Fernandez, Abbott is sure to shine. If I say Abbott, Fernandez will have a game. So let’s call it a day and say they share the load on offense and each score twice.
Wareham 28, Apponequet 8.

Mastro: Unless the referees are deducting points for every ankle Fernandez breaks with his Fred-Flintstone-like twinkle toes, they Vikings will put up more than 28 points.  I like Wareham a lot. I think Fernandez only gets better as the year goes on and his body builds up more endurance, allowing his small, but incredibly strong frame to keep churning into the fourth quarter. And Abbott is a poised senior quarterback that can lead this team a long way.
Wareham 35, Apponequet 15
 
Pembroke (1-0) at Stoughton (2-0) Friday, 7 p.m.:

Mastro: Here’s the interesting part about this one: Pembroke has an experienced and powerful offensive line, but inexperience under center. Stoughton has a new group up front, but brings back some speedy players in the backfield and a three-headed running game between Aaron Mack, Marcus Middleton, and Frankie Morris. I know having a strong line is important, but in high school football, I’ll always take the experienced rushing game, and Morris and Mack have already combined for five touchdowns on the ground this year.
Stoughton 22, Pembroke 13.

Anthony: It’s hard to pick against Stoughton here, especially after breezing through Holliston and Taunton in Weeks 1 and 2. However, I see this as a classic trap game for Stoughton, with a big matchup against Mansfield looming in Week 4. Morris and Mack look good, but I like Pembroke back Colin Clafin and the Titans front five.
Pembroke 18, Stoughton 12.
 
Mashpee (1-1) at Nauset (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.:
Mastro: Nauset keeps getting better under third year coach Keith Kenyon, and the 2-0 start has to be encouraging. But after Mashpee’s 22-0 shutout performance over Falmouth, it might safe to call its opening-week loss to Austin Prep somewhat of a fluke. If Mashpee is awake in this one, Jared Taylor should run wild.
Mashpee 29, Nauset 7.

Anthony: After Mashpee’s Week 1 debacle, I proceed cautiously in siding with the Falcons here. But after last week’s shutout, Mashpee is looking more like the team that ran wild at Gillette last December. I’ll take Taylor and the Falcons in this one, as a strong Nauset team takes their first loss of the season.
Mashpee 27, Nauset 12.
 
Newton North (2-0) at Framingham (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m:

Mastro: I’m happy for Newton North coach Peter Capodilupo, who was able to watch his team rally twice in two weeks to begin the season 2-0. But Framingham is looking really strong this year, and last week’s battle with Walpole proved it. The Flyers could have very easily come out on top in that one, instead turning the ball over twice in the red zone and ending the game by coming up short on fourth and 1. Chris Bloomingdale has been a big part of their pass-first offense and he should lead Framingham to a win on Friday.
Framingham 28, Newton North 14.

Anthony: Last year Nate Menninger ruined Framingham’s day, as he booted a 24-yard field goal in the last two minutes to give Newton North a 23-21 win. Newton North can only hope the game can be as close this year, as Framingham looks charged up after a close 27-21 loss to Walpole last week. Bloomingdale showed his ability to guide Framingham’s offense in Week 1, and look for more of the same tonight.
Framingham 28, Newton North 7.
 
Danvers (2-0) at Pentucket (1-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.:

Mastro: The Falcons set a school record last weekend putting up 61 points and scoring on all eight possessions in a defamation of Peabody. Last year, Peabody beat Danvers, 21-7. I know it’s early, and I know Sean Rogers wouldn’t want us saying this, but the Falcons may be ready to make a run at Beverly and the rest of the favorites in the CAL/NEC Division 2. Pentucket is no pushover, but Danvers will be shoving.
Danvers 35, Pentucket 14.

Anthony: I’m not sure if Danvers can look any better than they did last week against Peabody. Records were set, and it’s likely they won’t be touched for a while. The emotions should be running high for the Falcons, as I’d imagine an insurmountable amount of energy will be carried into this game from the win.
Danvers 28, Pentucket 8.
 
Winchester (2-0) at Wakefield (2-0), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.:

Mastro: Winchester is 2-0, and there’s a lot to be excited about for the Sachems. They beat Melrose, who put up a strong season last fall, and Greater Lowell. But Wakefield is a whole different animal. Last year, the Warriors won this battle so easily that the freshmen could finish the game. Junior quarterback Mike Miller should continue his impressive start to the season with a few more touchdowns.
Wakefield 28, Winchester 7.

Anthony:  I’m projecting a great finish for the Middlesex (Freedom) division, one in which Wakefield and Burlington battle for the league title. That’s ways away and I’m getting ahead of myself, but I do think the Warriors stay on path this week with a win over Winchester. Wakefield was tested early against a strong Lynn English team last week and pulled away with the win, and Miller has a masterful control of the Warriors offense.
Wakefield 27, Winchester 15.
 
Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@globe.com and Jason Mastrodonato can be reached at jasonmastrodonato@yahoo.com. Follow them on Twitter @gulizia_a and @JMastrodonato.

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Several reporters and editors contribute updates, news and analysis to the High School Sports Blog.

  • Bob Holmes: A Reading resident (Go Rockets!) and Boston College graduate, Holmes is the Boston Globe High School Sports Editor. We remind you now that his weekly picks are often made in jest so everyone just calm down when he picks against Everett for 11 straight weeks. Contact him at rholmes@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeHolmes.
  • Craig Larson: A native of West Springfield (Leo Durocher anyone? Tim Daggett?) and Curry College graduate (a proud Colonel!), Larson is the sports editor for the Globe's regional sections: South, West and North, as well as a frequent contributor on the college beat. Abington to Xaverian: it all starts with the schools. Have a compelling story idea? Contact him at clarson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeLars.
  • Zuri Berry: Berry attended the same high school as sports legends O.J. Simpson and Joe DiMaggio. (Guess which one is his hero.) He's a South Boston resident (formerly of Eastie) and the editor of the High School Sports blog as well as the go-to-guy for everything high school sports on Boston.com. Contact him at zberry@boston.com and follow him on Twitter @ZuriBerry for all of the latest updates.

Then there are our winter correspondents:

To reach the high school sports department, e-mail hssports@globe.com.


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