Football: Marblehead, Danvers set for NEC South battle

The road for the Marblehead football team doesn’t get any easier on Friday night (7) as it heads to Dr. Deering Stadium in Danvers for a Northeastern Conference/South battle with the Falcons.The Magicians (6-1, 1-0 NEC South) come in off a 34-12 win over Saugus at home last week while the Falcons (4-3, 0-1) dropped a 29-20 decision to Swampscott.Marblehead quarterback Hayes Richardson continued his hot play in the win over the Sachems, rushing for 114 yards and three long touchdowns while throwing a fourth to Flynn McCormack.The Marblehead defense also dug in its heels in the second half, shutting out the Sachems to help break open a 21-12 game at the break.The Falcons, meanwhile, were their own worst enemy against the Big Blue. Three critical turnovers in the first half resulted in Swampscott scoring 20 points to take a 23-6 halftime lead.Eric Burgos rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries but left the game with an injury in the second quarter and is questionable for this week.Revere at ClassicalAt Manning Field (7), the Rams (4-3, 1-0 NEC North) will look to keep the momentum from last week’s 21-0 win over Salem while the Patriots will try to rebound from a 40-0 loss to English.The Classical defense was outstanding in the win over the Witches, holding Salem to minus-20 yards rushing and seven yards all told. Jasper Grassa led the offense for the Rams, rushing for 114 yards, while Jaquan Huston scored a pair of touchdowns.For Revere, turnovers proved to be their Waterloo against the Bulldogs. The Patriots turned it over five times and gained just 109 yards in total offense.Swampscott at WinthropAt Miller Field (7), the Big Blue (5-2, 1-0 NEC South) will hit the road to face a Winthrop team looking to rebound from a loss at Beverly last week.Swampscott opened its conference slate last week with a 29-20 win at home over Danvers that was led by quarterback Matt Barbuzzi and the defense. Barbuzzi completed 23-of-36 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.The Big Blue defense also came up huge, returning an interception for a touchdown and turning three Danvers turnovers into 23 first-half points.The Vikings (4-3, 0-1 NEC South) were victimized by the big play last week. Beverly hit a 70-yard touchdown on the game’s opening play and then got a 10 yard touchdown pass from Mark Hannable to Steve Dubois late in the fourth quarter to win.Salem at PeabodyAt Coley Lee Field (7), two teams looking to bounce back from shutout losses will meet in an NEC North battle. The Tanners were victimized by a 21-point second quarter by Gloucester in a 34-0 loss while the Witches were held to one first down against Classical.St. John’s at Catholic MemorialAt West Roxbury (7), the Eagles begin Catholic Conference play after a week off against a CM team that comes in off a heartbreaking 28-26 loss to Malden Catholic in its conference opener.