It’s never easy to reach the state semifinals. One win separates each of these schools from a trip to Gillette Stadium. Some of the contenders have been to 1 Patriot Place recently. Others are looking to make history.
Which ones have the edge heading into this weekend? It’s time to find out with the Herald’s latest installment of Pickorama.
Xaverian vs. Springfield Central
As fans were hoping, there will be a rematch between the third-ranked Hawks (8-2) and the No. 2 Golden Eagles (9-1). The last time these schools met Sept. 26, Springfield Central rallied from a two-score deficit for a 28-20 win. This Div. 1 battle is very tough to predict, with teams of equal caliber squaring off. Both schools enjoyed massive wins in the Round of 8 and have combined for seven total Super Bowl appearances since 2018.
Connelly’s pick: Springfield Central
Murray’s pick: Xaverian
Central Catholic vs. St. John’s Prep
Despite missing highly-touted recruit Chris Vargas (leg injury), the top-seeded Eagles (10-0) survived an impressive challenge from No. 8 Leominster (48-32 win) and advanced to the Div. 1 semifinals behind Maxwell Parent (school-record 355 yards rushing, five touchdowns overall). The No. 5 Raiders won a thriller in the quarterfinals (20-17 overtime victory against No. 4 Natick), and have a knack for stunning the state’s best.
Connelly’s pick: St. John’s Prep
Murray’s pick: St. John’s Prep
Bridgewater-Raynham vs. Bishop Feehan
Eian Bain has done a fantastic job since taking over at Bridgewater-Raynham last year. The third-seeded Trojans (7-3) punched a ticket to the Final Four with a 21-13 win over No. 6 Billerica. The last time the program reached the semifinals came in 2017, when Dan Buron was still roaming the sidelines. After receiving a bye to the quarterfinals, No. 2 Bishop Feehan (8-1) took care of business by rolling past Chelmsford, 33-12. Should the Shamrocks win, it would be their first trip to Gillette since 2012.
Connelly’s pick: Bishop Feehan
Murray’s pick: Bishop Feehan
Milton vs. North Attleboro
It was a chess match to start last week for Steve Dembowski and his team, but the third-seeded Wildcats got the job done by pulling away for a 41-27 win over Masconomet. Patrick Collins may have had a career performance (385 yards passing, five total touchdowns) for Milton (9-1). Now the school faces the reigning Div. 3 champion in North Attleboro (8-2). The seventh-ranked Rocketeers have found new ways to win. Their latest might have been the most eye-opening yet, as they erupted for a convincing drubbing of No. 2 Barnstable.
Connelly’s pick: Milton
Murray’s pick: North Attleboro
Duxbury vs. Scituate
Déjà vu. For the fourth time in the previous five seasons, these Patriot League rivals will meet in the state playoffs. The only difference is that the matchup will take place in the Div. 4 semifinals instead of at Gillette. Grayson Foley (409 all-purpose yards, five touchdowns last week) has returned for the top-ranked Sailors (9-1), who are attempting to win their second straight Super Bowl. Brady Rhinesmith (305 yards, four touchdowns passing) had a huge game for the No. 4 Dragons (7-3) as his team knocked off an undefeated Burlington squad, 38-14. The schools faced off in Week 2, with Scituate winning, 27-15. Expect a nail-biter this time.
Connelly’s pick: Scituate
Murray’s pick: Scituate
Archbishop Williams vs. Foxboro
A classic case of a team on the rise facing a perennial heavyweight. Led by eighth-grade quarterback Hudson Garrity (247 yards, four touchdowns passing last week), the sixth-seeded Bishops (10-0) rolled to an undefeated regular season. They have since squeaked out incredible wins over No. 11 Swampscott (14-7) and No. 3 Hanover (28-26) to reach the semifinals. Jack Martinelli is one of the winningest coaches in Massachusetts, and has led the second-ranked Warriors (8-2) to two consecutive Div. 5 Super Bowl appearances with a championship in 2023. Foxboro coasted to a 28-0 win over No. 7 Gloucester, but could face a challenge here.
Connelly’s pick: Archbishop Williams
Murray’s pick: Foxboro
Hudson vs. Norwell
A very tough game to project. Top-ranked Norwell (8-2) has run roughshod through the Div. 6 field, outscoring its opposition at a 74-14 clip with Jack Luccarelli being the catalyst. However, No. 5 Hudson (9-1) is the reigning state champion and has defeated some of the state’s best with wins over programs such as West Boylston and Clinton. These teams could be locked in a one-possession game.
Connelly’s pick: Norwell
Murray’s pick: Norwell
Randolph vs. Nashoba Tech
The only downside to this matchup is the fact that both schools should be competing at Gillette for a Div. 8 title. They will clash in the semifinals for a second straight season as the fourth-ranked Blue Devils (10-0) will look to rely on star running back Mehki White for firepower again. Will the top-ranked Vikings (8-2) earn some payback this year? We shall see.
Connelly’s pick: Randolph
Murray’s pick: Nashoba Tech
Records
Connelly’s week: 3-3
Murray’s week: 2-4
Connelly’s season: 67-34
Murray’s season: 66-35
Combined: 133-69
