Methuen football delivered a brilliant regular season, but what do the Rangers have to show for it?
A major test in the first round of the postseason.
Methuen (7-1) is the No. 8 seed in the MIAA Division 1 tournament, and will host No. 9 Franklin (7-1) in the Round of 16 on Friday (7 p.m.)
Franklin opened the 2024 season just fives miles away from the Rangers’ Nicholson Stadium — at Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium, where the Panthers nearly stunned Central Catholic, with the Raiders winning 21-14 on a goal line stand in the game’s final seconds.
Since then, Franklin has won seven straight, outscoring opponents 219-75. Its toughest wins were over Duxbury (21-19), the top seed in Division 4, and Milford (28-26 in OT).
Methuen stunned Franklin in the Division 1 quarterfinals two years ago, 28-25, on a Drew Eason touchdown with 0:08 left. Franklin topped the Rangers in the Division 1 Round of 8 (24-7) in 2021.
Last week, Panthers QB Justin Bianchetto threw the game-tying touchdown with 1:26 left, and Andrew Fraulo scored the game-winning overtime touchdown and 2-point conversion to beat Milford. Bianchetto also threw for 236 yards and a touchdown in the Duxbury win.
But do they have the defense to slow Shane Eason and a Ranger offense averaging 35.9 points a game?
Prediction: Methuen 28, Franklin 24
Friday’s Tournament Games
No. 12 Windham (3-6) at No. 5 Salem (7-2) — Round 2 of one the area’s best rivalries. On Oct. 19, the Blue Devils beat the Jaguars 28-14, but the Jags led 14-7 at halftime and limited superstar back Kevin Todisco to 81 rushing yards for the game. But Salem is red hot, and Windham has dropped three straight.
Prediction: Salem 30, Windham 20
No. 12 Weymouth (6-2) at No. 5 Central Catholic (5-3) — The Raiders picked the right time to play their best football, winning three straight by a combined 134-89. They’ll have to play defense against a Wildcats team averaging 31.1 points a game, but has also lost two straight. Tyler Munchbach ran for three touchdowns two weeks ago.
Prediction: Central Catholic 32, Weymouth 24
No. 15 Andover (5-3) at No. 2 B.C. High (6-1) — The Golden Warriors will make the trip to Dorchester and try to shock the state. The Eagles suffered their lone loss last week, to top seed St. John’s Prep (28-0). Prior to that, they outscored opponents 175-41 and had not allowed more than 14 points in a game.
Prediction: B.C. High 32, Andover 20
No. 13 North Andover (3-5) at No. 4 Bishop Feehan (7-1) — The Scarlet Knights face an hour-plus drive to Attleboro and a Feehan squad that’s won seven straight. The Shamrocks haven’t allowed more than 13 points since Week 1, and are averaging 29.5 points a game.
Prediction: Bishop Feehan 34, North Andover 20
No. 13 Merrimack (3-6) at No. 4 Pinkerton (7-2) — Pinkerton has been hot, winners of three straight by a combined 115-36. The Tomahawks upset Bishop Guertin last week (34-21), but had lost four straight before that. A win likely gives the Astros a revenge shot at Salem.
Prediction: Pinkerton 38, Merrimack 14
No. 7 Manchester West (6-3) at No. 2 Pelham (8-1) — A rematch of an Oct. 12 clash, where the Pythons rolled 49-22. Pelham has rebounded from its loss with two straight wins. West has gone 3-3 in its last six games. Gio Doria has thrown for 1,105 yards and 16 TDs.
Prediction: Pelham 32, Manchester West 24
Thursday’s Non-Tournament Games
Watertown (2-6) at Greater Lawrence (3-5) — It’s been a tough run for the Reggies, who have lost three straight and 5 of 6. They have a perfect team to snap that streak against this week. Watertown has lost four straight and 5 of 6 and have been outscored 235-91 this fall.
Prediction: Greater Lawrence 28, Watertown 12
Malden (2-5) at Whittier (5-3) — The Wildcats lost a tough one to Kipp last week. But they have a chance to rebound against a Malden squad that’s dropped 5 of 6, with its lone win over struggling Chelsea. The Tornadoes can score (28.4 points a game), but struggle on defense (27.9 ppg allowed).
Prediction: Whittier 34, Malden 14
Friday’s Non-Tournament Games
Haverhill (2-6) at Lincoln-Sudbury (3-5) — After falling hard to Lawrence last week, the Hillies travel to a Warriors squad that took a tough loss to Westford Academy (31-0) last week. Prior to that, they had back-to-back wins. L-S is averaging just 14.5 points a game.
Prediction: Haverhill 32, Lincoln-Sudbury 18
Lawrence (2-6) at Chelmsford (3-6) — The Lancers are hot, winners of two straight after taking down Haverhill (40-28) last week. Chelmsford pushed Central Catholic but fell (49-35) last week, to go with similar losses to Andover (38-35) and Methuen (38-36). The Lions have shown they can can score.
Prediction: Chelmsford 34, Lawrence 24
Saturdays Non-Tournament Games
Phillips Exeter (6-1) at Phillips Andover (1-6) — Exeter suffered its first loss of the season last week, falling to Williston (42-28). Prior to that, the Big Red had outscored opponents 245-98. This would be one of the biggest upsets in the iconic rivalry if the Big Blue came out on top.
Prediction: Phillips Exeter 42, Phillips Andover 21
Roxbury Latin (2-5) at Brooks (1-6) — The Foxes have dropped two straight, with their last win vs Rivers (35-0). Brooks followed up its first win with a 38-21 loss to Lawrence Academy. This would be huge for Brooks heading into the offseason.
Prediction: Roxbury Latin 24, Brooks 21
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