Football: Bulldogs, Rams prep for key games

The race for the NEC/CAL Tier 1 title will get a little bit clearer on Friday night, with Manning Field and Lee Field in the spotlight as Classical hosts Masconomet and Peabody entertains English.The Rams come in off a 42-6 bludgeoning at the hands of Brandon Walsh and powerful North Andover. The loss was costly in another way as quarterback John Finnigan injured his non-throwing hand and is questionable for the contest.Classical faces a Masco team that was scuffling when the year started but has righted the ship in the last couple of weeks and bombarded the Tanners, 35-9, last week.Peabody will hope to rebound and throw a wrench in the race against the 6-2 Bulldogs, who come in off a convincing 38-13 win over Revere last Friday.English begins a stretch of three straight road games with the visit to the Tanners. The Bulldogs travel to Masco next week and visit North Andover the following Friday.North Andover at RevereAt Della Russo Stadium (7), the Scarlet Knights hit the road to face the Patriots, who will look to rebound from a loss to English last time out. North Andover has won seven straight games since losing to Andover.Marblehead at SalemAt Bertram Field (7), the Magicians hit the road for a date with pesky Salem in an NEC/CAL Tier 2 matchup.St. John’s at Catholic MemorialAt West Roxbury, the resurgent Eagles open Catholic Conference play against a Knights team that boasts four Division 1 commits, led by quarterback A.J. Doyle and running back Armani Reeves.Amesbury at WinthropAt Miller Field (7), the Vikings continue to have a bounce-back season and will entertain the Indians in an NEC/CAL tier 3 matchup.Fenwick at SpellmanAt Potvin Field (7), the Crusaders have won back-to-back games but face the iron of the Catholic Central League/Large in Spellman, who doomed St. Mary’s hopes of a league title last Saturday.