The stage is set for an exhilarating state tournament as local high school football teams prepare for single-elimination matches. With the regular season behind them, these teams are ready to demonstrate their skills on the field. The tournament kicks off this week, marking a critical moment for athletes and fans alike.
St. John’s Prep Leads the Charge
St. John’s Prep finished the regular season undefeated with a record of 8-0, earning the top seed in Division 1. The Eagles secured significant victories, including a decisive win against Springfield Central and a recent triumph over Catholic Memorial. Under the leadership of sophomore quarterback Chris Vargas, St. John’s Prep will face No. 16 Framingham (4-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Flyers, fresh off a four-game winning streak before their loss to Needham, will aim to reclaim their momentum against a formidable opponent known for its strong defense.
The Eagles showcased their defensive prowess earlier in the season, shutting out BC High and limiting Marshfield to just eight points. As the tournament unfolds, St. John’s Prep is poised to make a significant impact.
Marblehead and Other Contenders
Marblehead, with a record of 6-2, enters the tournament as the No. 6 seed in Division 4. Despite an upset loss to Danvers last Friday, the Magicians will host No. 11 Shepherd Hill Regional (7-1) in their postseason opener. Marblehead previously defeated Shepherd Hill in a regular-season matchup, concluding with a score of 35-22. With dual-threat quarterback Finn Gallup and running back Breydan Callahan leading the charge, the Magicians are optimistic about their chances.
In Division 5, No. 8 St. Mary’s (5-3) faces a challenging test against No. 9 Greater Lawrence Tech (6-2) at Manning Field this Friday at 6 p.m. The Spartans have shown resilience after a three-game losing streak, bouncing back with three consecutive wins. St. Mary’s standout Rowan Merryman, who scored two touchdowns in the regular-season finale against Old Rochester, will be a key player to watch.
Meanwhile, No. 11 Swampscott (6-2) will travel to take on undefeated Archbishop Williams (8-0). The Big Blue have relied heavily on running back Will Bush, who has scored seven touchdowns in the last two weeks. However, they will contend with a Williams defense that has not conceded a point since October 17.
Bishop Fenwick, holding the No. 7 seed in Division 6 with a record of 4-4, will host No. 10 Medway (5-3). Fenwick’s offense has been potent this season, featuring quarterback Andrew Kiricopoles, who has passed for 1,633 yards, and a robust rushing attack led by Dylan Patturelli and Jamie Dube.
Local Teams in the Lower Divisions
In Division 8, both No. 9 KIPP (3-5) and No. 11 Lynn Tech (4-3) aim to make their mark. KIPP faces a tough matchup against undefeated No. 8 Frontier Regional (8-0), a team known for its staunch defense. The Red Hawks have held their opponents to single digits in six of their eight games this season. KIPP will lean on the dynamic duo of Elai Machado and Aavian Peña, who are expected to maintain their strong performance following a recent 35-point victory against Lowell Catholic.
Lynn Tech is set to challenge No. 6 Bourne (6-2) in their second trip to Cape Cod in just weeks. The Tigers’ offense has been effective, driven by players like Jadiel Ortega and Eddie Lewis, especially as Bourne has struggled with two losses in their last three games.
As the tournament approaches, teams such as Lynn English (6-2), Lynn Classical (3-5), Saugus (1-7), Peabody (0-8), and Lynnfield (2-6) will not participate in the postseason, leaving the spotlight on those still in contention. The excitement builds as teams prepare for what promises to be an electrifying series of matches in the state tournament.