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.

Postgame Blog: St. John's Wins Shrewsbury Bowl, Advances to State Semifinals

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

SHREWSBURY — The CMass Championship featuring cross-town rivals St. John's (Shrewsbury) and Shrewsbury High School came with some hype, but what started out as a hot contest would soon turned into a landslide as the Pioneers of St. John’s would cruise to a dominant 36-14 victory over the Colonials.

Springfield Central, Wahconah and Hoosac Valley Capture Western Mass Crowns

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

HOLYOKE - Championship games are not supposed to play out this way. The collective thinking is that these are the best teams representing their district. On paper that may be correct. But on the field? Not so much.

That was never-more evident than during Saturday's Western Mass. finals, in which all three contests transcended into lopsided affairs. Springfield Central, Wahconah Regional and Hoosac Valley each made bold statements in terms of how easy they made things look. All three clubs dominated in their respective tilts and find themselves one victory away from earning a trip to Gillette Stadium to compete in the state Super Bowls.

Everett Starts Fast and Hangs On to Down Central Catholic in D1 North Final

From Left: Jacob Miller, Helber, Dwayne Binns, Anthony Norcia, Jason Maitre, Jaden Mahabir pose with the MIAA Division 1 North championship trophy.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Some say that repeating as a state champion is the hardest feat to accomplish in high school sports. So far to date, that has not been the case for Everett.

On a frigid night at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Crimson Tide offense fired on all cylinders as quarterback Jake Willcox threw four first half touchdown passes to lead No. 3 Everett to a 37-29 win over No.1 Central Catholic in the Division 1 North Sectional Final.

The Crimson Tide will now look to defend their Division 1 crown when they take on Xaverian in a rematch of last years Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on December 2nd.

Willcox (17-for-26, 308 yards, 4 TDs) played behind Jordan McAfee a season ago and noted how special it is to be the focal point this time around.

Xaverian Crushes Catholic Memorial, Advances to D1 Super Bowl

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

WESTWOOD — Over the course of the first five years of the new MIAA playoff format only one program has represented Division 1 South.

For the fifth straight time, Xaverian is headed to the Super Bowl as behind 167 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception from Ikechukwu Irabor the No. 3 Hawks downed No. 5 Catholic Memorial, 35-7, in the Division 1 South Sectional Final on a winter night at Xaverian Brothers High School.

The Hawks (6-3) will be looking to win their third state championship in five tries.

Melrose Edges Marblehead For Third D4 North Title Over Last Four Years

By Brandon Chase (@BrandonNChase)

Melrose — Isaac Seide seemed like he was always in the right place at the right time for the Melrose football team.

Need a big play to energize a stagnant drive? No problem. Looking for a momentum-thwarting stop in a key situation? Seide will cover that, too.

The junior two-way threat was the focal point of the Red Raiders’ 28-20 win over Marblehead Friday night in the Division 4 North final. Behind Siede’s 244 yards rushing on 27 carries and three touchdowns, Melrose captured its third sectional title in four seasons.

Shane Frommer Leads King Philip Back to D2 Super Bowl

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

WRENTHAM — As Shane Frommer exited the postgame huddle with his teammates, his pads were covered in blood. Full smiles, panting in excitement through the freezing cold air, the King Philip running back could not have cared less about the red on his gold and green uniform.

In a near replica of last year's sectional final, Frommer ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns on Friday night to lead No. 1 King Philip to a 29-19 win over No. 3 Bridgewater-Raynham in the Division 2 South Sectional Final at King Philip Regional High School.

The win advances the defending state champion Warriors (10-0) to their second straight Super Bowl while also increasing their winning streak to 23 games.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 9

Mansfield enters our Top 25 after opening the playoffs with a win against rival Marshfield.

Our rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. Please note that, now that the playoffs have started throughout the state, these will be our final rankings until after the state championship games in December. (Updated 10/29)

1. Everett (7-0; Last Week – 1 ) St. John’s Prep arrived late and started slowly, while the Crimson Tide erupted for 35 points in the first half of a decisive first-round victory, earning head coach John DiBiaso his 300th career win in the process.

2. BC High (8-0; Last Week – 2 ) Eagles cruised past Taunton, 34-0, in the first round and will host Catholic Conference rival Catholic Memorial this Friday.

3. Central Catholic (8-0; Last Week – 3) Hanging 44 points on Acton-Boxborough is expected from this high-powered Raiders offense, but a 44-0 shutout indicates once again that Central is a complete team.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 8

 Our rankings at the end of the regular season of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 10/23)

1. Everett (6-0; Last Week – 1 ) Despite finishing the regular season undefeated as the consensus top team in the state, the defending champs earn the No. 3 seed in Division 1 North and will host St. John’s Prep to begin the postseason. 

2. BC High (7-0; Last Week – 2 ) It looked like another low-scoring loss to Xaverian, but the Eagles rallied in the second half and rode Danny Abraham to their first win over the Hawks in 10 tries. 

BC High Finally Downs Xaverian For Perfect Regular Season

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BOSTON — If there were any remaining questions about BC High’s status as the top team in Division 1 South, the Eagles answered them on Friday night.

Led by a pair of third quarter touchdowns from Danny Abraham the Eagles came back to knock off Catholic Conference foe Xaverian, 17-6, at Viola Stadium.

The win snaps an eight game losing streak for BC High versus the Hawks, clinches them the top seed in Division 1 South heading into the postseason, and guarantees them a share of the Catholic Conference title. 

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.

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.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 5

BC High continues to get the job done on the ground, led by Harvard commit Danny Abraham (pictured), quarterback Will Bowen, and a loaded offensive line.

Our weekly rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 10/2)

1. Everett (3-0; Last Week – 1 ) After an idle week, the Crimson Tide will prepare for a road trip to Cawley Stadium and an exciting matchup against high-scoring Lowell. 

2. BC High (4-0; Last Week – 2 ) The Eagles handled another tough matchup on a loaded schedule, running past Brockton for a 42-18 win at Harvard Stadium last Friday.

3. Central Catholic (4-0; Last Week – 3) With a convincing 44-14 win at Billerica, the Raiders continued to showcase their talent on both sides of the ball. 

Calvin Johnson Continues Historic Tear For St. Mary's Football vs Cardinal Spellman

Brockton, Mass. - The Spartans of St. Mary’s (Lynn) won a Catholic Central League title and advanced all the way to the Division 3A Super Bowl last year, but just making it to the big game wasn’t enough for Calvin Johnson.

St. Mary’s star senior moved from running back to quarterback this year and is on a mission, totaling 17 touchdowns as a runner, passer, cornerback and as a kick returner through four games this season, including a four-touchdown performance to lead the Spartans over rival Cardinal Spellman in a 48-8 drubbing on the road on Friday night.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 4

Shane Frommer and his King Phillip teammates now hold the longest active MIAA winning streak. The defending Division 1A state champion Warriors have won 16 games in a row.

Our weekly rankings of the best high school football teams in Massachusetts, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 9/25)

1. Everett (3-0; Last Week – 1 ) The defending champs started fast and held off a dangerous St. John’s Prep team to remain undefeated early in the season.

2. BC High (3-0; Last Week – 2 ) New quarterback Will Bowen had has best day as a passer during a 30-14 victory for the Eagles down in New Jersey against Hudson Catholic.

3. Central Catholic (3-0; Last Week – 3) Bret Edwards continued to pace an elite Raider offense with 238 combined rushing and passing yards, leading his squad to a 37-20 win over Methuen.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 3

Lincoln-Sudbury tight end Harrison Gross celebrates a touchdown catch in the Warriors' statement win over Holliston.

Our preseason rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 9/18)

1. Everett (2-0; Last Week – 1 ) No issues for the Crimson Tide this week, as they rolled Leominster 33-7 to extend their winning streak.

2. BC High (2-0; Last Week – 2 ) Eagles survived their first big test of the season, edging Marshfield, 19-7, at home behind a potent ground attack led by quarterback Will Bowen and running back Danny Abraham.

BC High Rushing Attack Continues to Roll in Win Over Marshfield

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BOSTON - Will Bowen put on a showcase to all in attendance that BC High has more to its identity than just Danny Abraham.

Bowen ran for 131 yards and a touchdown as part of a ground attack that included Abraham and Bobby DeMeo as the Eagles got past Division 2 power Marshfield, 19-7, on Friday night at Boston College High School.

The conditions were slick all evening long, with rain pouring down from the start of the game’s pre game festivities. The wet weather made throwing nearly impossible for both sides causing the teams to resort to their top level running games.

The No. 2 Eagles (2-0) got the better end of it, as the trio of Bowen, Abraham, and DeMeo combined to run for 220 yards on the evening.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 2

St. John's (Shrewsbury) dominated Catholic Memorial from the opening kick Friday night.

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

1. Everett (1-0; Last Week – 1) The Crimson Tide rolled its chief rival in emphatic fashion, downing Xaverian 31-7 in the opener, and the final margin could've been even greater. Not a missing a beat with Jake Wilcox taking over under center, Everett is the clear-cut favorite to repeat as Division 1 champion. 

MIAA Football Top 25: The Start of 2017

There's no question, in our minds, about who should open then year at No. 1.

By SuiteSports Staff

Our preseason rankings of the best MIAA football teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 9/5)

1. Everett (Record Last Season: 13-2): The defending D1 state champions lost UConn-bound quarterback Jordan McAfee, but retain a host of elite receivers, including Anthony Norcia and Jason Maitre, who will also lock down the back end of a loaded defense next to national recruit Lewis Cine.