BARTLETT(6-3) over WORCESTER SOUTH(1-7) AT BHS FRIDAY 7PM

The Indians(6-3) are taking names.  David Prouty was best one yet.  Beating Mr. Prouty accomplished a lot of things for these upstart Indians.  The backfield of DJ Kirby-Thomas(Butch Cassidy) and Rocco DiStefano(the Sundance Kid) have combined for over 2,000 rushing yards already this season.  This makes them the only tandem backfield in these parts to achieve this unbelievable rushing mark. Will the Indian offensive line please take a bow? Without you no names, this would have never happened. Winning is like poison ivy.  It spreads fast and Indian Akeem Belnavis has got the winning itch.  The Indians are right where they want to be as they head into the last home game of the season on Friday night. By the way, keep taking names. Now trending for Bartlett is their offensive line.

SHEPHERD HILL(6-3) over DOHERTY(3-6) AT SHRHS FRIDAY 7PM

The Rams continue their quest for the Division 2 playoffs when they host Doherty. Just giving the Rams a reminder that Doherty beat them last year in the city.  This is a very important Division 2 match up that Shepherd Hill needs to win and then prepare for their Thanksgiving Day rival Tantasqua. Eight wins is enough to get the Rams into the playoffs for the second straight year.  That is a solid accomplishment and the Auburn victory earlier on this year was the pivotal game that gave Shepherd Hill the reputation as being a top team in Central mass. I like the Rams coming down the stretch. Now is the time to knock the rust off certain parts of the playbook that haven’t been used since August. You might need those playbook parts when you play Nashoba or Gardner in the playoffs.  Now trending for Shepherd Hill is the Tony Vegnone Thanksgiving award.        

BAY PATH(8-1) over ASSABET(8-1) AT ASSABET FRIDAY 7PM

Bay Path overwhelmed a real good Valley Tech (7-2) team last Saturday 34-6 on Mugget Hill. Coach Al Dhembe’s team can win the Colonial League this Friday night on the road when they visit a dangerous Assabet team that has been very successful over the last decade.  It’s that time of year where the Bay Path playbook goes with the weather.  The passing game becomes selective and the running game is meant to wind down the clock.  Please don’t forget  that defense wins championships and that is exactly how the game on  Friday night will go between these two teams. Bay Path looks like a playoff team, but their number one goal on the 4^th of July was the league championship. That’s the way it is up there on Mugget Hill.  They are not confused with priorities.  The league trophy always gets you into the playoffs.  It’s  always the safest way. Now trending for Bay Path is Anthony Baez who returned an interception for 100 yards for a touchdown against Valley Tech on Saturday. 

AUBURN(8-1) over WESTBORO(1-8) AT WHS SATURDAY 1PM

Auburn continues their run at being Division 3 champs.  The Rockets are the best Division 3 team in the state.  The competition that far down in Divisions doesn’t do Auburn any justice, especially when you take that streak of 41 straight games away from them. The streak was who Auburn really was.  They knew the enrollment issue was going to put them in Division 3.But that’s OK as long as they had the streak. It must be boring down there on Drury Square without the streak.  It’s on to Westboro this week on Saturday afternoon.  Come on, is the paint dry yet? Now trending for Auburn is Dan Flink who has scored 11 touchdowns the last two games.

AYER(4-5) over SOUTHBRIDGE(5-4)  AT AHS FRIDAY 7PM

The Red and White are hanging in there enough to whisper upset on Turkey Day in our ear. I am more concerned with this Spectown group than I was last month. The holiday game won’t be a cakewalk for the Indians nor should it ever be easy on Thanksgiving.  Lately I have been getting up in the middle of the night to sound of the “little giant”.  I even had a dream of Mingo going into the PAV in that red long coat he wore every time he came to Webster.  I ‘m telling you, it’s getting crazy.  Please tell DJ Kirby-Thomas to take the name of Mingo while he is at it.  We need that name added to the list.  Now trending for Southbridge is the Sabatinelli Thanksgiving Day award.

NIPMUC(6-3) over TANTASQUA(3-5) AT NRHS THURSDAY 6PM

The Warriors of Tantasqua will play the next three Thursdays in a different way to end the season. Because of the storm last week, the Grafton game will be played on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.  Tomorrow’s Nipmuc game was already scheduled for a Thursday night game in Mendon at 6 pm. Night games in November are not good for the passing game.  Trending now for Tantasqua is National Grid.  They need power.  What a mess. 

LEICESTER(6-3) over OXFORD(3-6) AT OHS MONDAY 7PM

The Pirates play the toughest last five games in Central Mass.  The football committee of the MIAA needs to look at scheduling in the off season.  Oxford’s last five games are Grafton, Northbridge, Shepherd Hill, Leicester, and Auburn.  Those are tough games when all five programs are having good seasons. Oxford should be playing Bartlett year in and year out as well as Southbridge and Millbury.  Teams have got to have a chance to compete, especially when the numbers are thin and injuries always happen.  Trending now for Oxford is Tyler Barrie.  Word has it that Barrie is a class act.

Last week: 5-0

Overall: 40-13

Top seven in the South County:

1. Shepherd Hill 6-3
2. Auburn 8-1
3. Bay Path 8-1
4. Bartlett 6-3
5. Southbridge 5-4
6. Oxford 3-6
7. Tantasqua 3-5