Football: Marblehead, Gloucester have big conference showdown on deck

It?s probably been quite a while since Marblehead and Gloucester played in a high school football game that anyone could call meaningful.When the Northeastern Conference split into two divisions, Gloucester was in the upper and the Magicians in the lower. And in the two years the schools were in the same division (Cape Ann League/NEC Tier 2), the Magicians were contending while the Fishermen were rebuilding.But Friday, at Piper Field, the two are playing in an early-season crucial game. The 4-0 Magicians have simply been on fire in their first year in the Northeastern Conference?s upper division. The 35 points they scored against Swampscott last week represent their lowest point total yet. Until last week, they hadn?t been held to less than 40. And just in case anyone wonders about the caliber of the competition, Danvers has won two straight since losing to Marblehead in Week 1, and Classical put up 41 in Salem last week.The other Marblehead win came against Salem.Gloucester is 3-1 (1-0 in the NEC/Large), with the one defeat coming on the road against Masconomet. The Fishermen eked out a Week 1 win over Salem while sandwiching victories over Salem and Beverly (18-14 last week) around the loss to Masco.Other games Friday:Triton at SaugusAt Stackpole Field (4), the Sachems haven?t found the Cape Ann League much to their liking thus far. After a Week 2 loss to Winthrop, they?ve dropped games against both Lynnfield (a CAL/Small school) and Masconomet (a CAL/Large opponent).Last Friday at Masco, the Sachems did everything they wanted to do … except score. They had a huge advantage in time of possession and still found themselves behind, 20-0, before they could even get going.Triton defeated Swampscott 33-7 in Week 1 and is 2-1 overall.Fenwick at SpellmanAt Spellman (in Brockton), 7, the Crusaders have blown away the field thus far, going 3-0, including last week?s 46-14 win over Arlington Catholic in which Rufus Rushins scored three TDs, and Nick Bona passed for two and ran for another.After a down season in 2012, Spellman is 3-0, including a 21-7 win last week over Archbishop Williams.Revere at DanversAt Dr. Deering Stadium (7), the Patriots come into Friday?s game 0-3, including last Friday night?s 30-13 loss to rival Winthrop.Danvers is 2-1, and is coming off a dramatic 20-14 win over Peabody last week in which Alex Valles ran back a fumble recovery for a touchdown with no time left.