Methuen is looking to shock the Massachusetts high school football world.
Central Catholic did exactly that a week ago, and is looking prove once again it belongs at the top.
As always when the rival Rangers and Raiders face off, plenty is on the line.
Central Catholic (3-2), the No. 5-ranked team in the MIAA Division 1 Power Rankings, will travel to No. 8-ranked Methuen (3-1) for a bigtime clash on Friday night (7 p.m.)
The Raiders are fresh off a massive victory over two-time defending Division 1 champion Xaverian (28-27), while the Rangers took down unbeaten Andover (35-29) last Friday. So both teams are hot.
The two traditional foes have not met since 2022, when Central won 42-6. The Raiders have won 11 straight against their rival, dating back to the 2010 season when the Rangers won 24-22.
After slowing Andover’s scorching offense, Methuen will have to find a way to stop a Central attack let by superstar QB Caden Smith (817 yard, 9 TDs passing, 387 rushing yards).
Can Ranger running back-turned-quarterback Caden Hartley-Dido (83 yards, 4 TD rushing, 108 yards, TD passing last week) work his magic once again?
Prediction: Central Catholic 34, Methuen 24
Thursday’s Game
Nashoba Tech (2-2) at Whittier (3-1) — The Wildcat are coming off a bye week. The Vikings opened the season with two straight wins by a combined 108-14, then dropped a heartbreaker to Stoneham (20-19) before being crushed by Catholic Memorial (49-7), the No. 2-ranked team in Division 2. Zack Deschenes (three TDs vs. Stoneham) is a playmaker.
Prediction: Whittier 34, Nashoba 28
Friday’s Games
Lawrence (1-3) at Andover (3-1) — The Golden Warriors are angry, after falling to rival Methuen (35-29) last week. The Lancers aren’t any happier, having dropped three straight. Can Lawrence find a way to slow down breakout Andover QB Kyle Olson (729 yards, 10 TD passing)? The Lancers did score three interceptions last week. But they need more offense.
Prediction: Andover 34, Lawrence 12
Concord, N.H. (2-3) at Haverhill (1-3) — The Hillies got into the win column last week by taking down Lawrence (22-8), but they face a very tough test. Underrated Concord pushed No. 1-ranked Pinkerton to the limit last week (36-27) and did the same to Salem (21-14) in Week 1. Colin Savard is a force for the Tide, with 880 yards and 9 TDs rushing.
Prediction: Concord 32, Haverhill 21
Windham (3-2) at Spaulding (1-4) — It’s been three years since the Jaguars have won four straight games. That will end this weekend. The Jags are red hot after taking down Salem (17-0) for their second straight shutout, while Spaulding has dropped three straight, has been outscored 123-56 for the season and has scored just 14 points in the last three weeks.
Prediction: Windham 24, Spaulding 6
Timberlane (2-3) at Goffstown (0-5) — The Owls make it two straight wins, and three out of four. The Grizzlies have lost every game this fall by at least 14 points, and have been outscored 190-59 for the season and 127-25 the last three games. Billy Schmidt leads the Goffstown offense with four touchdowns this fall.
Prediction: Timberlane 28, Goffstown 8
Manchester West (4-1) at Pelham (5-0) — After five straight blowouts, by a combined 242-22, the Pythons finally face a challenge. West has scored four blowout win, by a combined 161-13 with three shutouts. The Blue Knights, however, were also blown out by unbeaten Souhegan (33-0). QBs Manny Mendoza and Gio Doria have combined for 842 yards and 10 TD passes. But it’s Pelham.
Prediction: Pelham 40, Manchester West 24
Alvirne (1-4) at Pinkerton (5-0) — A week ago, it looked like this could be truly ugly. But after dropped its first four by a combined 157-21, Alvirne upset Manchester Central (28-14) last week. So the Broncos, coached by former Pelham coach/AD Justin Hufft, showed some life while the Astros were tested by Concord (36-21). Is Pinkerton vulnerable? Nah.
Prediction: Pinkerton 40, Alvirne 10
Cumberland, R.I. (2-2) at Salem (2-3) — The injury bug has punished the Blue Devils, who were missing eight starters by the end of Saturday’s loss to Windham. Who will be back this week, as Cumberland travels over an hour to Salem’s Grant Field? The Clippers have been outscored 97-42, and have been shut out in two of their last three games. Is Salem healthy enough?
Prediction: Salem 24, Cumberland 21
Middlesex (1-2) at Brooks (2-1) — Brooks has already doubled its win total from a year ago. Now it’s time to triple it. Middlesex dropped its first two, before scoring a win by barely squeaking past winless Governor’s (21-13). Brooks was led last week by Methuen’s Jagger Carreiro, who had two interceptions and caught a 23-yard touchdowns.
Prediction: Brooks 24, Middlesex 12
Saturday’s Game
Phillips (1-3) at Suffield (1-3) — After earning their first win of the season a week ago, the Big Blue will have the chance to hang some points on the scoreboard this week. The last three weeks, Suffield beat Deerfield 45-27, fell to Brunswick 56-49 and lost to Taft 41-9. So the Tigers aren’t playing much defense and Phillips will need to take advantage.
Prediction: Phillips 32, Suffield 18
TWITTER: DWillisET