Football: It’ll be Marblehead-Tewksbury, Round 2, Friday night

Last year, Marblehead took the trip up to Tewksbury on a Saturday afternoon to play for the MIAA Division 3 Northeast sectional championship.It was a tight game, for three quarters before the Redmen pulled away. Then, they went on to defeat Melrose for right to play in the D3 Super Bowl, and proceeded to pound Plymouth South to win the title.Both teams are back at it Friday night (7) at Piper Field in Marblehead and the roles are reversed. This time, it?s the Magicians with the higher seed and the home field while Tewksbury has two losses.All season long, the Magicians have had no trouble scoring points ? and scoring them in bunches. Last week, it looked to all the world as if Somerville was going to come into town and spring the upset of the year on the Magicians, roaring out to a 20-0 lead. But the Magicians restored order fast enough, and ended up winning, 42-26. Brooks Tyrrell ran for 213 yards in that game, and Spencer Craig backed him up with 124.While Marblehead had some trouble settling the Highlanders down, Tewksbury was having no problem with Danvers, to the tune of 34-6.That?s one of many games Friday as the bulk of both the playoff and non-playoff action will be taking place. Other games include:Swampscott at LynnfieldAt Lynnfield High (7), this Division 4 North semifinal game pits a team that has rolled through the season and a team that?s kept everyone on the edge of their seats.The stingy Pioneers have given up only 26 points all season while the Big Blue have found themselves climbing out of coffins for the past four weeks, including last week, when they spotted previously-unbeaten Watertown a 14-0 lead before coming back for a 24-21 victory.Triton at WinthropAt Miller Field (7), the winner of this game will play the Swampscott-Lynnfield winner for the Northeast sectional title next week.The Vikings (8-0) keep getting stronger, as they handled Hamilton-Wenham last week, 26-6.Peabody at EverettAt Everett Stadium (7) in a Division 1 North semifinal, the Tanners renew a long-standing acquaintance with the Crimson Tide that fell by the wayside when they joined the Northeastern Conference.Peabody-Everett was a very good local rivalry back in the day, and both teams scored significant victories along the way.The Tanners are coming off a 42-38 track meet of a win over Lexington that saw Doug Santos have perhaps the game of his life, rushing for 256 yards and scoring six touchdowns.They?ll need him to be all-in Friday night as the 6-1 Crimson Tide are ? once again ? among the state?s most powerful teams.Lowell Catholic at FenwickAt Donaldson Field (7) in a Division 5 semifinal, health is a major concern. Quarterback Matt Renzulli sprained his ankle last week and if he plays at all, it?ll be on defense. Mike Campatelli is set to call signals.The good news for Fenwick is that Lynn?s Rufus Rushins, bothered with a knee injury, practiced this week ? something he has not been able to do recently, and he?s good to go.Also on for a Division 3 Northeast semifinal is Beverly at Masconomet, where the Panthers hope to get past the No. 1 Chieftains and get another shot at NEC/Large rival Marblehead next week.Also Friday, there is a host of non-playoff games on the docket, including two at Manning Field: English vs. Billerica at 5 p.m.; and Brighton vs. St. Mary?s at 7:30.Classical is on the road at Leary Field in Waltham to face the Hawks (7), Revere travels to Wilmington (7), Salem is at Belmont (7), Gloucester is at Dracut (7), and Danvers is at Somerville (7).