There’s going to be some shifting ground on the North Shore football scene when the weekend concludes.
There will definitely be two less undefeated teams. Tonight at Dr. Deering Stadium in Danvers, Classical faces Danvers; and Saturday, at Blocksidge Field in Swampscott, there will be another battle of undefeateds when English laces them up against the Big Blue.
TONIGHT
Classical at Danvers
At Dr. Deering Stadium (7), it’s been a struggle for the Rams the last two weeks even though they’ve come out ahead.
Two weeks ago, Classical, 4-0, had to go into overtime before subduing Revere while last week what looked like it was going to be an easy win at Gloucester ended up with the Rams hanging on for dear life before coming away with a 21-19 victory.
The Rams are fresh from being honored by the Patriots Tuesday at a school assembly, where coach Brian Vaughan was named the team’s Coach of the Week.
Danvers, 4-0, has defeated Winthrop, Peabody, Medford and Malden over the first four weeks, two of them winless and the other two with a victory each. Where Gloucester was Classical’s first real test last week, the Rams are Danvers’ first real test tonight.
KIPP at Tech
At Manning Field (7), the Tigers, like Classical, are working on an undefeated season. KIPP is 1-3, having dropped its last three after winning its first-ever game.
The Tigers have been a machine over the first four games, outscoring their opponents 149-43, led by twin terror running backs Steffan Gravely and Keoni Gaskin.
After defeating Atlantis Charter in Week 1, KIPP had a tougher time with Minuteman, Greater Lowell and Mystic Valley. Tech has defeated Minuteman and MV.
Lynnfield at Manchester-Essex
At Manchester, the Pioneers are 4-0, with a slew of contributors, including quarterback Matt Mortellite, receiver Nick Kinnon, Cooper Marengi and Anthony and Tyler Murphy.
Marblehead at Malden
At MacDonald Stadium (7), it’s 4-0 vs. 0-4. The Magicians have had to improvise somewhat, but the end product is an undefeated season.
The Golden Tornados have had a tough time, and it doesn’t look to get any easier for them this week.
Masconomet at Peabody
At Coley Lee Field (7), the Tanners finally got on the board last week with a victory over Revere. This came after losses to Somerville, Danvers and Marblehead.
After a season-opening loss to Melrose, the Chieftains (3-1) have plowed through Malden Catholic, Newburyport and Pentucket.
Medford at Revere
At Della Russo Stadium (6:30), the Patriots, 0-4, were buoyed somewhat two weeks ago when they shut down the high-powered Classical offense in a 12-6 overtime loss.
But any momentum they might have felt from that didn’t carry over in last week’s loss to Peabody.
Medford, 1-3, defeated Winthrop in Week 2, but otherwise the Mustangs have lost badly to Classical, Danvers and Somerville.
St. John’s at Cath. Mem.
At Catholic Memorial (7:30), the Eagles got a much-needed win over Malden Catholic last week. And the Matt Crowley era at quarterback began for the Eagles as well.
The Knights shocked Xaverian last week, indicating much more balance in the Catholic Conference than there has been in the past.
Williams at Fenwick
At Donaldson Field (7), the Crusaders are an uncharacteristic 1-3,with quarterback Cory Bright still on the shelf.
On the other hand, the Bishops are 3-1, but only one of those wins has come against league competition, last week over Austin Prep.
Also tonight are BC High at Malden Catholic (7) and Winthrop at Salem (7).
SATURDAY
English at Swampscott
At Blocksidge Field (2:30), this shapes up to be the marquee game of the weekend.
The Bulldogs have been slaying dragons all season, beginning with their 26-21 win over Beverly in Week 1.
Victories over Somerville and North Reading followed before English put it all together last week in beating Saugus.
Quarterback Matt Severance has been the early-season star for the Bulldogs, but up and down the line, English has been solid, with Ski Gaston and Ishmile Banguera contributing.
If Severance has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the Northeastern Conference, right there with him is Swampscott’s Colin Frary. The senior signal caller had an especially good game last Thursday night against Salem, tossing three touchdown passes, two of them to Jake McIntire.
Arl. Cath. at St. Mary’s
At Manning Field (7), even the Spartans were shocked at the 48-8 win over Cardinal Spellman in Brockton last week.
The St. Mary’s (4-0) nucleus has been consistently strong, with quarterback Calvin Johnson calling signals and James Brumfield and Josh Mateo in the backfield.
Arlington Catholic (3-1) fell in its opener but has won three straight, two of them Catholic Central League victories over Austin Prep and Bishop Fenwick.
Gloucester at Saugus
At Stackpole Field (3), the Fishermen are still reeling from last week’s loss to Classical. Still, they are 3-1 and present a formidable opponent against the 0-4 Sachems.
Saugus, filled with promising sophomores, has senior Mike Mabee calling signals. He played well last week against English.
Also playing Saturday are Mystic Valley at Greater Lowell (noon) and Somerville at Beverly (3).
