Both Haverhill High and Lawrence High finally broke through last Friday.
The Hillies (2-5) snapped a five-game skid by blowing out Dracut (38-0), while the Lancers (1-6) scored their first win of the season, hanging on for a wild 28-23 victory over Lowell.
Now, who will take home a second win in a row, when Haverhill travels to Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium for both teams’ regular season finale?
This matchup produced a classic last year. Hillies QB James Farrell tallied a go-ahead touchdown with 5:02 left in the game, before Lawrence scored a touchdown and the game-winning two-point conversion with 0:51 left to earn a thrilling 15-14 victory.
Last week, Haverhill once again showed its game-breaking offense against the Middies, led by a career day by freshman Bryan Dos Santos, who ran for 205 yards and four touchdowns, while Farrell threw for 214 yards and a score.
For Lawrence, Denzel Morales had a 60-yard touchdown run and a 50-yard TD pass to Justin De La Rosa, while Thomas Rodriguez scored on a punt blocked by Elijah Santell. But can the Lancers slow the Hillie offense?
Prediction: Haverhill 34, Lawrence 21
Thursday’s Games
Chelmsford (3-5) at Central Catholic (4-3) — The Raiders are coming off their biggest win in at least a year, downing archrival Andover (28-14) last week. The Lions nearly upset Andover (38-35) and Methuen (38-36), but have scuffled in losses to Tewksbury (21-7) and Westford Academy (42-14) the last two weeks.
Prediction: Central Catholic 32, Chelmsford 21
Milford (1-7) at Pelham (7-1) — After three straight tough matchups, the Pythons finally get a break. Milford has been outscored 312-88 — with 48 of those points coming in its lone win, over winless Hollis-Brookline. The Spartans have been limited to six or fewer points five times.
Prediction: Pelham 42, Milford 6
Friday’s Games
Andover (5-3) at Billerica (4-3) — After a tough loss to archrival Central Catholic, the Golden Warriors face another challenge against the No. 5-ranked team in Division 3. The Indians scored a tough win over North Andover (22-14) last week, their third win in four games. The Warriors will have to stop Steven Gentile.
Prediction: Andover 28, Billerica 24
Lowell (1-6) at Methuen (6-1) — The Rangers, ranked No. 5 in Division 1, can coast into the postseason. The Red Raiders have been outscored 187-85 this season. They fell to Lawrence (28-23) last week, after their lone win two weeks ago, over Dracut (22-0). Those are the only games they’ve scored more than 14 points.
Prediction: Methuen 42, Lowell 14
Concord (4-4) at Salem (6-2) — After crushing red-hot Bishop Guertin (42-21) last week, the Blue Devils are ready to make it seven wins in a row heading into the postseason. Concord was limited to 69 yards through three quarters in a loss to Pinkerton (44-13) last Friday, their second straight loss.
Prediction: Salem 32, Concord 12
Tewksbury (5-2) at North Andover (3-4) — Another massive challenge for the Scarlet Knights. The perennial power Redmen — No. 6 in the MIAA Power Rankings — have lost two of their last three, but they nearly stunned Methuen (35-28) last week. Vinny Ciancio threw two TDs against the Rangers.
Prediction: Tewksbury 28, North Andover 14
Pinkerton (6-2) at Alvirne (6-2) — The Astros have rediscovered their groove with two straight wins by a combined 85-19. But the Broncos have won three straight by a combined 120-48. Leading the way is QB Charlie Crawford (1,080 yards, 8 TDs passing) and running back Mike Landmesser (905 yards, 16 TDs rushing).
Prediction: Pinkerton 34, Alvirne 28
Windham (3-5) at Manchester Central (0-8) — The Jags need a win to have a shot at qualifying for the postseason, and they have the right opponent. Central hasn’t scored more than two touchdown in any game, has been held to one TD in each of the last three games and has allowed at least 34 points in all but one game.
Prediction: Windham 32, Manchester Central 14
Whittier (5-2) at Kipp (4-3) — Coming off their bye, the Wildcats take on a Kipp squad that nearly stunned unbeaten Shawsheen, the No. 1-ranked team in Division 5, falling 20-14 in overtime last week. The Panthers had won the previous three straight. But Whittier has won 3 of 4 with a close loss to Shawsheen (31-28).
Prediction: Whittier 28, Kipp 26
Greater Lowell (6-1) at Greater Lawrence (3-4) — It’s been a rough stretch for the Reggies, and it doesn’t get any easier against a Gryphons squad that’s ranked No. 6 in Division 5. Their lone loss was to Shawsheen (37-7) two weeks ago, and for the season they’ve outscored opponents 192-150.
Prediction: Greater Lowell 28, Greater Lawrence 21
Timberlane (2-6) at Manchester Memorial (5-3) — Don’t look now, but the Owls are hot, winners of two straight. Memorial had lost two straight before taking down Winnacunnet (37-7) last week. Mohammed Olanrewaju (592 yards, 4 TDs rushing) and Collin Beaulieu (598 yards, 9 TDs rushing) lead the way.
Lawrence Academy (1-5) at Brooks (1-5) — Brooks broke through in a big way last week, rocking Groton (41-12) behind 159 rushing yards and two TDs for former Timberlane standout Liam Corman. The Spartans scored their win two weeks ago (24-14 over Governor’s) before falling to Milton Academy (23-6) last week.
Prediction: Books 24, Lawrence Academy 14
Saturday’s Game
Phillips (1-5) at Suffield Academy (3-3) — Phillips also broke through last week, edging Deerfield 21-20. Suffield has lost 2 of 3, falling to Williston 43-21 last week. The Tigers have been outscored 103-146 this season.
Prediction: Suffield 28, Phillips 20
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