MIAA Football Top 25: The End of 2017

Our final rankings of the best MIAA football teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 12/5)

1. Everett (12-0; Last Ranking – 1) One of the greatest teams in state history, the Crimson Tide wrapped up back-to-back state titles with another convincing win, handling Xaverian 35-10 in the nightcap Saturday at Gillette Stadium. While other teams had great seasons, Everett as our statewide No. 1 was a no-brainer, given the Tide's year-long dominance, and sheer level of talent across the board.

Xs & Os: Dennis-Yarmouth Gets Bobby Evans into Space in D5 Final

By John Sarianides (@xnojoe)

FOXBOROUGH - Dennis-Yarmouth beat West Springfield, 37-7, in the Division 5 state championship thanks to a potent spread offensive attack.

Dolphins running back Bobby Evans led the way rushing with 131 yards on 15 carries. Evans scored two rushing touchdowns and also returned an interception for a score.

PHOTO GALLERY: Dennis-Yarmouth vs West Springfield at Gillette

Photos By Brendan Hall (@BHallUFA)

You can check out a a full recap of Dennis-Yarmouth's Division 5 state championship win over West Springfield here, but now enjoy these shots from our Brendan Hall.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Dennis-Yarmouth Rolls Past West Springfield for Division 5 State Championship

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

FOXBOROUGH - Dennis-Yarmouth quarterback Jacob McCarthy grew up as part of The Lagoon. Now, as a senior, he has brought them home a title.

McCarthy went 14-of-22 for 167 yards and two touchdowns as the Dolphins defeated West Springfield, 37-7, to claim the Division 5 Super Bowl title on Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.

Dolphins two-way sensation Bobby Evans totaled three touchdowns, two on the ground and one via a 29-yard pick-six.

While residing in Division 5, the Dolphins certainly looked like a Top 10-team statewide all season long. The win on Saturday capped off a perfect 13-0 season in which Dennis-Yarmouth outscored its opponents by a staggering 523-146 mark.

McCarthy reflected on being a part of the Dolphins notorious fan section, the Lagoon, when D-Y won their last Super Bowl in 2011, only to now raise a banner a senior captain.

Previewing the MIAA State Football Championships: Divisions 5 & 6

Dennis-Yarmouth's explosive offense will try to keep pace with West Springfield and stud running back Vaunell Hill.

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

We've already looked at Friday night's games at Gillette (Divisions 2 and 3), and previewed the D4 and D7 title games yesterday. Now, our Tom Joyce looks at two of the more intriguing matchups featuring teams from the Central and Western part of the state.

Dennis-Yarmouth Dominates Watertown for Trip to Gillette

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Medford, Mass. – All season long, Dennis-Yarmouth has been as dominant as its record would advertise. On Friday night, quarterback Jacob McCarthy made sure the Dolphins took it to another level.

Behind four touchdown passes from McCarthy, and a nearly perfect defensive effort, Dennis-Yarmouth defeated Watertown, 41-3, in the Division 5 state semifinals at Hormel Stadium. 

With the win, the Dolphins (11-0) advance to the Division 5 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium.

Your MIAA Football Playoffs Weekend Review: The Sectional Semifinals

Catholic Memorial and BC High played one of the most memorable playoff games in recent memory Friday night, with a controversial call and a Hail Mary lifting the Knights to victory.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

There is no question that the MIAA playoff system has flaws. Most notable among them are too many teams, too many divisions, and for some, a lack of importance now placed on winning the league.

This past weekend, however, portrayed the system’s outstanding benefits.

Teams playing for a spot in the sectional finals battled it out, with some playing against conference foes, while others faced off against teams for the first time.

Memorable endings, top performances, controversy, and wild finishes engulfed the weekend.

Now it is on to the sectional finals, where some enticing matchups will be played.

We will preview some of those sectional finals later in the week, but before we do that let’s take a look back at what was a wild weekend of sectional semifinals.

MIAA Top 25 Football Rankings: Week 7

Tewksbury jumped a spot in our rankings after scoring 40+ in a win over Chelmsford.

Our rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 10/16)

1. Everett (5-0; Last Week – 1 ) Crimson Tide continue to roll the competition, and it was recently announced that Everett and Masconomet will face off at Fenway Park at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve.

2. BC High (6-0; Last Week – 2 ) In coming back to score 20 unanswered points and down St. John’s Prep, 20-13, the Eagles proved that they can play from behind as well.

Dennis-Yarmouth Overwhelms Marshfield for ACL Title

Photo courtesy of Dennis-Yarmouth Athletics (@DolphinAthletic).

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

YARMOUTH - Anyone who was at "The Lagoon" on Friday night saw who the top team in the Atlantic Coast League is this season.

For the third straight year, there is a different ACL champion this season. The Marshfield Rams could not stop Dennis-Yarmouth's speedy and high-powered offense on Friday night. As a result, the Dolphins beat the Rams, 43-16, at home to improve to 6-0.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 6

Despite a loss to rival St. John's (Shrewsbury), senior athlete Chris Campbell and his Shrewsbury Colonials appear in our poll for the first time this season. Most known as a receiver and defensive back, Campbell also hurt the Pioneers with his arm last Friday night.

Our midseason rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 10/9)

1. Everett (4-0; Last Week – 1 ) An early fumble proved the only blip in Everett’s latest romp over MIAA competition, as the Crimson Tide rolled past Lowell for a decisive 55-27 victory at Cawley Stadium on Friday night.

2. BC High (5-0; Last Week – 2 ) No issues for the Eagles in the conference opener, will Danny Abraham and company be able to run wild with St. John’s Prep visiting next Friday?

3. Central Catholic (5-0; Last Week – 3) The Raiders are outscoring co-leader in the MVC Lowell by just one point, yet are giving up 187 points fewer this season. We’ll see if that defense stands up against Lowell at Cawley Stadium next Friday.

Dennis-Yarmouth Steals Show at New England 7-on-7s

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

PEABODY, Mass. – The high school football season quick off in theory on Thursday, July 27, as eight contending teams from Massachussetts, one from New Hampshire and one from Maine got to strut their stuff in the annual UnderArmour New England 7-on-7 Championships at Bishop Fenwick.

After 10 games in pool play and a couple of close semifinals, two MIAA schools in Middleboro and Dennis-Yarmouth faced off for the second time during the tournament with the Dolphins prevailing in a 14-13 thriller.

Postgame Blog: Marshfield Handles Dennis-Yarmouth

Adam McNamara (10) and Chris Lunn (35) were two of five Rams to score rushing touchdowns Friday.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Here is your reminder that this blog is not a complete recap of the game, it is simply my wandering thoughts. If you'd like a full recap, plus my video highlights and some postgame comments from the player of the game, head to ESPN Boston High Schools.

Now, onward and upwards.

Postgame Blog: Doherty Completes Journey, Wins D4 Crown

Doherty celebrates with the Division 4 championship trophy.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

The 2013 Doherty Highlanders are a greedy bunch.

Capturing the school's first Central Mass title in 33 years simply wasn't good enough for them, so they won the inaugural Division 4 state championship in the second game at Gillette Stadium Saturday.

The Highlanders had the feel of a "team of destiny" all year long, and that destiny was realized in a 28-26 thriller of a win over D4 East champion Dennis-Yarmouth.

Massachusetts Super Bowl Previews: Divisions 4-6

Doherty's Isaac Yiadom has left defenders in the dust all year.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

We've already gone through the necessary introductions in Part I of my Super Bowl previews (Which you can see here), so let's get right to it. Here is what to watch for in the Super Bowls for Division 4, 5 and 6 this Saturday at Gillette Stadium.