Football: Marblehead ready for showdown with Beverly

While Beverly and Swampscott were getting all the headlines for their showdown last Saturday, very quietly the Marblehead football team was going about its business and now is in position to make a run at the playoffs.The Magicians sit at 3-0 in NEC/CAL Tier 2 play and have a date at Piper Field with Beverly on Friday night (7) with a win meaning they could head to Thanksgiving fully in control of their playoff destiny.”It’s kind of worked out perfectly that we’re flying under the radar,” Marblehead coach Jim Rudloff said. “We’re not an all-star team like Swampscott is. We’re a bunch of kids that started out green and are beginning to come together.”Marblehead (6-2) will have its sternest test of the season on Friday as it faces a Panther club (6-3, 2-1) trying to rebound from a loss at home to the Big Blue last week.”Beverly is going to be the best team that we will have played to this point. They are the best coached and have the best players,” said the former Beverly assistant Rudloff.Since losing to Newburyport in stunning fashion, the Magicians have been as good as anyone in Tier 2. They come in off convincing wins over Gloucester, Salem and Danvers.”For us, it’s amazing to still be one of the three teams with a chance,” Rudloff said. “Of the three years I’ve been here, I’m the proudest of this team. They were picked to be near the bottom and have done a fantastic job.”English at North AndoverAt North Andover (7), the Bulldogs (7-2, 3-0 NEC/CAL Tier 1) would clinch a spot in the Division 1A playoffs and a likely date with Everett if they can knock off the Scarlet Knights.English has won five in a row since losing to Swampscott and comes in off a 34-28 win over Masconomet. The Scarlet Knights have won eight in a row since opening with a loss to Andover but go into the game with star quarterback Brandon Walsh nursing an injured ankle that has him as questionable.Newburyport at WinthropAt Miller Field (7), the Vikings (5-4, 3-1 NEC/CAL Tier 3) have a chance to clinch a postseason spot if they can knock off the 7-2 Clippers. Last week, Winthrop spotted Triton a 19-0 halftime lead before nearly coming back in a 19-16 loss.Peabody at ClassicalAt Manning Field (7), the Rams (4-4, 1-2 Tier 1) come in off a win over Revere while Peabody (3-5, 0-4) was beaten by North Andover a week ago.Masco at RevereAt Della Russo Stadium tonight (7), the Patriots (5-4, 1-3) can insure their first winning season since 1981 if they can knock off the 5-4 Chieftains. Masco can still clinch a playoff berth if it wins out and has help in the Tier 1 race.Salem at DanversAt Dr. Deering Stadium (7), the Falcons and Witches will be looking for their first league win.St. John’s at BC HighAt West Roxbury (6), the Prep (4-4, 1-1 Catholic Conference) hits the road to face a powerful BC High team that has league champion aspirations of its own.