Football: Classical, Salem hope to get back on track Friday

One team was expected to be a contender for the Northeastern Conference’s North Division crown, while the other comes in looking to rebound from a tough loss last week.On Friday at Manning Field (7), Classical and Salem will meet, with one team picking up its first conference win of the season.The Rams (3-4, 0-2 NEC North) ran into a buzz saw last Friday at Gloucester, as the Fishermen held Classical (3-4, 0-2 NEC North) to just 116 yards of offense in a 49-0 win.Salem, meanwhile, was expected to give the Fishermen a run for the North title, but Scott Connolly’s team has suffered some tough losses.Perhaps none was tougher than last Saturday’s 32-28 defeat at the hands of Peabody.The Witches (3-5, 0-3) led 14-3 at halftime and 28-18 in the fourth quarter before the wheels came off the proverbial wagon. Kevin Bettencourt ran for a 53-yard touchdown to close the gap to three before Jon Balcacer’s 32-yard run in the final minutes provided the winning points.Both Melikke Van Alstyne and Eugene Dela Cruz eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the loss for the Witches.St. Mary’s at FenwickAt Donaldson Field in Peabody (7), the Spartans (4-4, 1-1 Catholic Central League/Large) got an outstanding effort in all three phases en route to a 30-6 win over Archbishop Williams last Saturday.Tim Ray rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Day caught a TD pass from John LaMothe and rushed for another. The Spartan defense also surrendered only 151 yards in total offense.Fenwick (3-5, 1-1 CCL) struggled against Arlington Catholic, falling to the Cougars, 30-8.Winthrop at MarbleheadAt Piper Field (7), the Magicians (5-3, 2-0 NEC South) have a chance to guarantee the program’s first winning record since 1992 with a win over the 4-4 Vikings.The game also has championship implications, as both teams are still alive in the NEC South. Marblehead, tied for first with Swampscott, comes in off a 33-30 win over Beverly while Winthrop rolled to a 27-7 victory against Danvers.Quarterback Hayes Richardson led the Magicians on Saturday, throwing for 217 yards and two touchdowns while Chris Beranger’s two-touchdown effort paced Winthrop in its win.Revere at PeabodyAt Lee Field (7), a pair of former rivals in the Greater Boston League will meet.The Tanners (4-4, 2-1 NEC North) continued their revival under first-year coach Scott Wlasuk last week as Jonathan Balcacer and Kevin Bettencourt scored fourth-quarter touchdowns to give Peabody a 32-28 win over Salem.Bettencourt went for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the game, while Balcacer had 91 yards and his touchdown.Revere (2-6, 0-3 NEC North) got two touchdowns from Matt Gasparini, but fell to Lynn English, 34-13.St. John’s at Malden Cath.At Brother Gilbert Stadium (7), the Eagles’ (4-4, 0-1 Catholic Conference) losing skid continued last week with a 12-7 loss to Catholic Memorial. The Prep held CM to just one offensive touchdown, but failed to take advantage of scoring chances.