Two of the Merrimack Valley’s best are set to clash with a trip to the Division 1 quarterfinals on the line.
No. 7 Methuen (6-2) will welcome No. 10 Lowell (7-1) to Nicholson Stadium for a Division 1 Round of 16 matchup of schools just 13 miles apart, avoiding the extensive travel common in this playoff system.
And expect a fierce battle in this one.
Lowell has delivered a stellar fall, averaging 36.4 points a game and allowing just 14.9 points a game.
The Red Raiders’ lone loss was to powerhouse Tewksbury (25-21) back on Sept. 26 — the same team that beat Methuen (28-6) a week earlier on Sept. 19.
Lowell also won a thriller over Billerica (22-20) on Oct. 17, two weeks before the Indians upended Methuen (34-32) to close out the regular season.
So the two squads have plenty in common.
Can the Ranger defense slow a Red Raider offense led by QB Seth Ly, who ran for two touchdowns each against North Andover and Lawrence and threw the game-winning TD against Billerica? Joshua Amankwaah also had two scores against Lawrence.
Prediction: Lowell 32, Methuen 28
Friday’s Playoff Games
No. 12 St. John’s Shrewsbury (4-4) at No. 5 Central Catholic (5-3) — A dangerous opening round matchup. Shrewsbury’s four losses have come to Catholic Conference powers Xaverian (40-16), St. John’s Prep (53-19) and Catholic Memorial (49-19) along with two-loss Leominster (38-0), the No. 8 seed on Division 1. They’re tested, and Brad Perry is a playmaker at QB.
Prediction: Central Catholic 32, St. John’s 20
No. 10 Portsmouth-OR (3-6) at No. 7 Salem (5-3) — The Blue Devils are red hot with four straight wins. Portsmouth, after dropping three straight, has won 3 out of 4, including a 14-6 win over Timberlane. Andy Brown has thrown for 1,328 yards and 13 TDs, while Daniel Soler-Sala has run for 451 yards and six TDs. The offense is scoring 28.2 points a game.
Prediction: Salem 34, Portsmouth-OR 21
No. 11 Andover (5-3) at No. 6 Wachusett (7-1) — The Golden Warriors travel an hour for a tough task. Wachusett is scoring 34 points a game while allowing 16.9 points a game. The Mountaineers’ lone loss was to Milton, the No. 3 seed in Division 3. QB Thomas Anderson has made some huge plays, including the winning TD pass in an upset of Leominster.
Prediction: Wachusett 34, Andover 24
No. 9 Greater Lawrence (6-2) at No. 8 St. Mary’s (5-3) — The Reggies will need a massive effort. St. Mary’s three losses came to to bigtime programs Shawsheen (No. 1 seed in Division 5), Bishop Feehan (No. 2 seed in Division 2) and Gloucester (No. 7 in Division 5). The Spartans have allowed just 12.3 points a game while scoring 20.4. Can Gustavo Varela and Co. score enough?
Prediction: St. Mary’s 28, Greater Lawrence 24
Saturday’s Playoff Games
Concord (4-4) at Windham (6-3) — The Jaguars made Concord their sixth straight win two weeks ago, limiting the Crimson Tide to 120 yards of offense. The Jags proceeded to lose to Londonderry, while Concord beat Timberlane (38-5). As always, the Tide are led by the state’s leading rusher, by more than 200 yards, Colin Savard (1,269 yards, 15 TDs rushing).
Prediction: Windham 14, Concord 6
No. 5 Manchester West (7-2) and Pelham (7-2) — A rematch of Oct. 10, when the Pythons rolled over West 34-0. Since then, the Blue Knight have won three straight. They have been led by the QB duo of Dio Doria and Manny Mendoza, who have thrown for a combined 1,284 yards and 18 touchdowns. They’re allowing 28.6 point a game.
Prediction: Pelham 28, West 20
Thursday’s Non-Playoff Game
Somerville (6-2) at Whittier (6-2) — Despite the sparkling record, the Wildcats missed the playoffs due to strength of schedule. The same goes for Somerville. The Highlanders have allowed 11.8 points a game and scored 22.1 points. The teams had one common opponent, Malden, which Whittier beat (40-22) and Somerville lost to (14-12).
Prediction: Whittier 24, Somerville 20
Arlington (5-3) at Haverhill (3-5) — The Hillies look to bounce back from two straight losses to end the regular season. The Spy Ponders have won two straight, and for the season are averaging 25.5 points and are allowing 15.1 points a game. Joey Schiano threw two touchdowns to Alexi Trapotsis and Marco Boatman had a TD and an interception a week ago for Arlington.
Prediction: Arlington 28, Haverhill 21
Timberlane (3-6) at Merrimack (4-4) — After dropping three straight, the Owls look for a November victory. Merrimack has dropped two straight after four straight wins. Warriors QB Maverick Torres has thrown for 1,437 yards and 12 touchdowns, with his top target Cayden Dine (415 yards, 5 TDs receiving).
Prediction: Merrimack 32, Timberlane 20
Friday’s Non-Playoff Games
Lawrence (1-7) at North Andover (1-7) — Two teams that are very hungry for a win. The Knights last won on Oct. 10, 33-6 over Draut, while the Lancers won way back in their opener, 16-14 over Lynn Classical. Who will make the big play at QB, North Andover’s Austin Allen or Lawrence’s Manny Perez?
Prediction: North Andover 24, Lawrence 21
Saturday’s Non-Playoff Games
Phillips Academy (2-6) at Phillips Exeter (5-2) — The Big Blue look to snap a three-game skid as their travel to their archrival. The Big Red are averaging 39 points a game, while allowing 28.2 points a game. Can an Andover offense averaging 14.4 points a game keep up?
Prediction: Phillips Exeter 30, Phillips Andover 21
Pingree (6-1) at Brooks (3-4) — The Green and White look to close out the regular season strong, but it won’t be easy. Pingree is scoring 35.1 points a game and allowing 17.3 points a game. QB Jack Spear threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns for the Highlanders a week ago.
Prediction: Pingree 34, Brook 20
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