Marblehead working its magic

If there were any lingering doubts, Marblehead's 33-23 win over Winthrop Friday should prove the Magicians' 2008 season is no act.

Marblehead (6-3, 3-0) is making its first winning season in 16 years count for more than just pride. After playing roughly to expectations with a 3-3 record, the Magicians arrived at the Northeastern Small portion of their schedule and took the league by storm. They've reeled off three straight victories, including two against the league's toughest teams, Beverly and Winthrop.

With its 3-0 conference record and Swampscott's loss to Beverly Saturday, Marblehead controls its destiny for league title hopes. If they beat 5-3 Saugus Saturday, the Magicians will find just one more road block on their improbable path to the playoffs - a Thanksgiving Day meeting with Swampscott.

Coach Doug Chernovetz said it's been a sweet ride this season, not one he could have predicted - though not necessarily one he's surprised by.

"We always talked to the kids about the potential we had," he said. "Honestly I did think it would have been a long shot for us [to be in a position to win the league title], but I knew we had the kids to get it done."

Chernovetz said his players were motivated from day one to prove doubters wrong and make a playoff appearance. The team put "Nov. 28" on the back of their T-shirts as a reminder of their playoff goals.

The Magicians finished 4-7 last season, 1-4 in the conference. This season, they switched to a spread offense because Chernovetz and his staff felt it would be a better fit for their personnel.

Brandon Lee (seven touchdowns), Taariq Allen (four TD catches in league play), and Hayes Richardson (eight TD passes in three league games) have thrived in the system.

"We've got two good quarterbacks [Richardson and Ian McKinley], they throw the ball well," said Chernovetz. "We've got guys who can catch the football, guys who can run the football. We felt it was the best offense that would suit us."

These Magicians don't plan to disappear for a final trick.

Patriot Bowl weekend
The first Patriot Bowl Weekend will feature six games and conclude with the crowning of a league champion/playoff berth winner. There are four games at two sites Friday. At Scituate, Hingham faces Middleboro (4:15 p.m.) and Scituate faces Rockland (7:30). At Quincy, Randolph faces Quincy (4:15) followed by Silver Lake vs. North Quincy (7:30). On Saturday at Whitman-Hanson, Pembroke faces Whitman-Hanson at 1 p.m., followed by the championship game between Duxbury and Hanover at 5 p.m. The Duxbury-Hanover winner advances to the Division 2A playoffs.

NEPSAC schedule
Prep school postseason matchups kick off Friday when Lawrence Academy (7-0) faces BB&N (7-0) in Cambridge at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Hotchkiss (8-0) will play Proctor (8-0) in Easthampton, Kimball Union (7-1) will play Trinity-Pawling (7-1) in Ashburnham, Belmont Hill (7-1) will host Suffield (7-1), Cheshire (7-1) plays Tilton (7-1) in Northfield, and King Low Heywood Thomas (8-0) plays Milton Academy (7-1) in West Hartford.