Tuesday Morning Quarterbacking: New playoff system makes its arrival

Well, it?s here. The new playoff system — and the potential flaws and snafus about which its opponents warned (and whined) — is upon us. In the next three weeks, we?ll see just how much of a chore this isWe will withhold criticism here for now … except for this: Next week, Lynn Tech — a non-qualifier — has to travel to Framingham to play Marian. This is exactly what opponents feared when this thing passed … that schools left out of the mix would be forced to go all over the place to play.It does seem to be asking a lot for a school with absolutely nothing on the line to go that far out of the way to play out the string (and if it?s on a Friday night … good luck).One interesting thing about this setup, though, and again it involves Tech. Boston English comes here this week to play the Tigers, and its coach is former Lynn English/Northeastern standout Brian Vaughan, who — as it would appear — kept Pope John?s football program running and viable for a few extra years before moving on.It?ll be nice to see him back here.Now, as for the tournament, one of the great things about looking at playoff draw sheets is speculating on what happens not right away, but down the line. We have teams in five of the six divisions, and in some cases, the potential second- and third-week matchups would be intriguing.For example, if Everett and St. John?s Prep win their games this week (against Malden and Lowell, respectively) in Division 1, they meet each other next week. The Prep, even though it is 4-3, has had a tumultuous season. Right out of the gate, one of its best players (Sean Smerczynski) abruptly left the school. All-everything running back Johnny Thomas (who has changed his college commitment from Maryland to Penn State) tore his ACL. And a couple of the Eagles? best linemen were suspended for violating MIAA rules.The Prep has already lost once to Everett (it?s the game where Thomas was injured), so who knows. On paper it?s a long shot, but sometimes, wounded animals are the most dangerous.English and Classical are about to embark on their 100th Thanksgiving Day football game next month. But before they do, it?s quite possible they?ll play at Manning Field next week in the Division 2 North semifinals. For that to happen, however, No. 8 English would have to beat top-seeded Haverhill; while No. 5 Classical beats Lincoln-Sudbury.In Division 3 Northeast, we already have one all-Northeastern Conference game, with Beverly going to Gloucester Friday. If both Marblehead and Danvers win their games (against Wilmington and Masconomet), they?ll play each other next week. You can be sure Danvers will remember the beating it took in Week 1 at the hands of the Magicians.In Division 5, the big local matchup comes Friday night, with St. Mary?s going to Donaldson Field for another shot at Bishop Fenwick. If this is to be the Spartans? redemption tour, they?d certainly have to get past the Crusaders. Then, next week, they can avenge an earlier defeat to Austin Prep (provided the Cougars get past Whittier).A tip of the cap is in order for Danvers and Winthrop high schools. They were supposed to play Friday, but after the shockingly awful events at Danvers High, the game, which was in Winthrop, was moved to Saturday night. Admission was free, but patrons were asked to donate the money to the scholarship fund being set up for slain teacher Colleen Ritzer.In an already-emotional game, the Falcons came back from a halftime deficit to win it, with captain Alex Valles leading the way. And finally, Vikings coach Sean Driscoll — as he always does — showed so much class afterward. His team had lost, but he couldn?t praise Danvers enough for the courage its players showed in persevering in the face of the tragedy. It was a shining example of all that is right about high school athletics, and the capacity they have to help the healing process.