Starting up

Week 1 is finally here for the high school football season, and it couldn't come any sooner. Those of you who have been reading the previews by Chris Forsberg and the Globe's high school staff are sure to be chomping at the bit to get out and root for the home team.

Sure, everyone starts out undefeated, but even at this early stage, there are a few games that jump off the schedule as potential Games of the Year.

The Game of the Week could be in Natick, where the fifth-ranked Redmen host No. 15 Weymouth. Both squads won their Bay State divisions last year to make the playoffs. The two met at Weymouth in Week 1 last season, with Natick prevailing, 21-14.

The Redmen bring back nine starters, including the talented duo of Theo and Thad McCummings. Weymouth has a talented backfield as well, led by man-child Michael Waithe, who rushed for over 1,200 yards and scored 21 touchdowns.

A battle looms in Division 1, as No. 2 Brockton makes the trek to No. 18 BC High. The two met in Week 1 last year as well, with the Eagles prevailing over then-top-ranked Brockton, 27-20, in a sloppy game.

BC High started the season 8-0 last year before limping to a 9-2 finish as injuries ravaged the squad down the stretch. Brockton played .500 ball all year, but still managed to squeeze into the playoffs, where the Boxers upset Dartmouth to reach the Super Bowl before being thrashed by Everett.

The Boxers figure to be better this time around as they return a plethora of talent, including quarterback Vaughn Askew. Head coach Peter Colombo hopes that the young squad that faced last year's trials and tribulations will be the better for it, and ready to learn from their mistakes.

Traditionally, BC High has been a force along the frontlines, producing a long line of offensive linemen that played in Division 1 colleges, and even in the NFL. Ron St. George's squad might not have the size of recent editions, but he's got plenty of depth in the offensive and defensive backfields with Mitch McClune, Tom Duffy, and Brian Sullivan leading the way.

Other intriguing matchups dot the schedule this weekend. Leominster, a traditional power in Central Mass., will play at No. 1 Everett. The Crimson Tide have the best program in the state these days. Not only are they the defending champions, but they return arguably the finest athlete around in Boston College-bound Isaac Johnson, who was equally impressive in both the offensive and defensive backfields. Capable of breaking a big run for a touchdown on offense, Johnson was often asked to cover the opposing team's No. 1 receiver on defense.

Another Top 20 matchup will take place when No. 4 Woburn heads to No. 20 Acton-Boxboro tonight. The Tanners went 9-2 last season, the only setbacks were a pair of overtime losses to Middlesex foes Wakefield and Burlington.

Acton-Boxboro is looking for a return to glory, when they ruled the Dual County League. This nonleague battle will certainly go a long way in preparing the Colonials for league play.