Football: Two unbeatens go up against each other when Winthrop visits Peabody

Four schools will put their undefeated seasons on the line Friday … and no matter what happens, one of them will be tagged with a defeat.The big game — in terms of overall record — takes place at 7 p.m. at Coley Lee Field when Winthrop visits Peabody. Both teams are 4-0 coming into the game. Both have experienced leadership in skill positions. Winthrop?s Dylan Driscoll is among the top quarterbacks on the North Shore while Peabody has both Doug Santos, who had more than 300 all-purpose yards last week against Classical; and quarterback Mike Raymond. The Tanners are also big up front, and have another back/receiver in Ryan Collins; and a receiver in Tanner Moquin.Aside from Driscoll, the Vikings — who undoubtedly gained much momentum from their come-from-behind 44-41 win over Saugus in Week 1 — have several running backs they can turn to, including Reise Turransky and Jon Gonzalez, as well as receiver Zach Deeb.Although both the Tanners and Vikings seem assured — at this point, at least — of spots in the post-season playoffs, the winner of this game will have the upper hand in the race for the championship of the Northeastern Conference/Small.Classical at DanversAt Dr. Deering Field (7), the Rams, 2-2, hope to rebound from last week?s 28-6 loss to Peabody in which nothing went right from the get-go. Outside of a nice touchdown pass from Matt Lauria to Chandler LaGuerre, Classical couldn?t solve Peabody?s stout defense.The Falcons gave their new coach, Shawn Theriault, their first win last Thursday night — a 27-0 shutout over Revere.Gloucester at EnglishAt Manning Field (7), the Bulldogs, 1-3, saw a golden opportunity to even their record last week when they took a 23-7 lead over Swampscott into the locker room at halftime.Then, the Big Blue came out and scored 22 second-half points while keeping the ?Dogs off the scoreboard to win their first game of the year, 29-23.English?s Stevie Collins had 100 yards even in the game, plus an 84-yard kick return for a touchdown.The Fishermen, 2-3, fell last week to Marblehead, 35-12.Beverly at MarbleheadAt Christopher Piper Field (7), the 5-0 Magicians have one of their toughest games of the regular season — their annual tussle with the Panthers. And Beverly is coming off a bye week, meaning the Panthers have had two weeks to prepare for the Magicians.The Magicians have not had what could seriously be considered a tough game thus far, but coach Jim Rudloff wasn?t happy with the way they played in their victory over Salem; and the defense has given up its share of points: 27 against Classical and 35 against Swampscott.Beverly is 2-2, but both losses have come from Merrimack Valley Conference teams: 21-7 to Haverhill; and 9-7 to North Andover.North Reading at SaugusAt Stackpole Field (3:45), the Sachems, playing an independent schedule, find themselves at 3-2 after a 41-0 thrashing of Cape Cod Tech last weekend in which quarterback Justin Winn ran for 148 yards and scored a touchdown; and Dan Cacciola scored three.The Hornets opened hot, with three straight wins, but they?ve lost their last two, to Newburyport and Masconomet.Georgetown at LynnfieldAt Lynnfield High (7), this is the first game at the new facility. Up to now, the Pioneers have been taking the bus to all their games, and they?ve still managed to emerge from the odyssey with a 4-0 record. Lynnfield looks tough to beat, with a defense that has allowed only 20 points in four games and an offense has scored 135.Last week, Item Player of the Week Cam Rondeau got things started in a 41-7 win over Manchester-Essex with an 85-yard kick return; and the Pioneers never looked back.The Royals? (1-3) one win this season came two weeks ago against Manchester, 14-13.Revere at SalemAt Bertram Field (7), the Witches (0-4) are still looking to give new coach Matt Bouchard his first career win while Revere, 1-4, hopes to right the ship after a three-game losing streak.