Tonight’s English-Salem game (7) at Manning Field will have an extra-added attraction to it.
Not only will the game feature two of the area’s most successful teams this season going against each other, it’ll also be the FOX 25 Game of the Week.
This means FOX 25’s reporters will broadcast live from Manning Field at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and air highlights from the game on its late-night newscast.
English ran its record to 5-0 last Saturday with a convincing 36-7 win over previously-undefeated Swampscott. In that game, quarterback Matt Severance threw two touchdown passes and scored one rushing, but the star of the game was the Bulldog backfield, which ran for 277 yards, and Ishmile Bangura in particular, who had 152 yards and a touchdown.
The Witches, 4-1, rebounded from a defeat two weeks ago at the hands of Swampscott, to trounce Winthrop, 36-7, with Vinnie Gaskins scoring four touchdowns.
Classical at Somerville
At Dilboy Field (7), the Rams slugged one out last Friday night against Danvers, pulling away at the end to win 28-14. But the game was much closer than that.
The Rams availed themselves liberally of double-threat Keith Ridley who, in this game, did more damage with his feet, rushing for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
The Rams, like English, Tech and St. Mary’s, are one of four Lynn teams that have not tasted defeat. And while the offense has been effective, Classical has also had a lights-out defense as well. And it cannot go without mention that for two straight weeks, the Rams have gone onto the other team’s field and handed it its first lost — Gloucester two weeks ago and the Falcons last week.
Somerville has been up-and-down after five games. The Highlanders are 3-2, and fell to English in Week 2, 26-14.
St. Mary’s at Williams
At Williams (6), the Bishops, 3-2, have rebounded after losing their first two (non-league) games to win three straight, including last week’s victory over Bishop Fenwick.
The Spartans, 5-0, rolled over Arlington Catholic a week ago, 52-14. Their offense rolled upon 505 total yards and quarterback Calvin Johnson scored four touchdowns.
James Brumfield scored on runs of 51 and 71 yards.
Winthrop at Saugus
At Stackpole Field (7), someone’s going to come out of this game with its first win of the season.
Winthrop lost last week to Salem for its fifth defeat of the fall, but Saugus nearly sprung the shocker of the year last Saturday at Stackpole Field before succumbing to Gloucester, 26-25. Saugus led 25-12 going into the fourth quarter, but Gloucester scored twice to overtake the Sachems. Ricky Martinez ran for one touchdown and scored another on a pass from quarterback Mike Mabee.
Swampscott at Revere
At Della Russo Stadium (6:30), it was bit of a quirky week for these two as Swampscott lost its first game of the season (36-7 to English) while Revere won its first game (27-7 over Medford).
The big gun for Revere was quarterback Calvin Boudreau, who threw three touchdown passes in the victory over the Mustangs.
Prior to losing to English last week, Swampscott had defeated Greater Lawrence, Triton, Winthrop and Salem.
Gloucester at Marblehead
At Piper Field (7), the Fishermen have struggled for the last two weeks. They just barely got by Saugus, but the week before they spotted Classical a 21-0 lead and almost came back before falling, 21-19.
The Magicians are 5-0 and show no signs of flagging. Last week, the victim was Malden, 23-6, with big Andy Clough scoring two touchdowns.
Lynnfield at Ipswich
At Ipswich (7), the Pioneers, like Marblehead, have flown under the radar considering they’re undefeated.
Last week, Lynnfield spotted Manchester-Essex a game-opening touchdown and then came on like gangbusters for a 35-14 win.
Tyler Murphy scored twice in the game, but the Pioneers have a multiplicity of weapons to throw at teams.
Peabody at Malden
At MacDonald Stadium (7), the Tanners, one week after beating Revere for their first victory of the season, fell Friday to Masconomet, 35-7. They got off to a good start, with Elijah White hauling in a 30-yard pass from Jonell Espinal, but it was all Masco from there.
The Chieftains, after a season-opening loss to Melrose, have reeled off four straight wins.
St. John’s at BC High
At BC High (7), the Eagles have rebounded from back-to-back losses earlier in the season to score consecutive wins over Malden Catholic and Catholic Memorial.
BC High, also the Eagles, represent perhaps The Prep’s harshest test in the Catholic Conference yet, especially since it’s just sophomore Matt Crowley’s third start. BC High is 5-0, including last week’s victory over Malden Catholic.
Austin Prep at Fenwick
At Donaldson Field (7), the Crusaders, 1-4, have been a bit snakebitten this season. Finally, they got regular quarterback Corey Bright back last week, but went up against powerful Archbishop Williams.
Austin Prep is winless this season.
Also on the bill tonight are Malden Catholic at Xaverian, Medford at Everett and Chelsea at Mystic Valley.
SATURDAY
Tech at Northeast
At Northeast Regional in Wakefield (10:30), this game was a rivalry before the 5-0 Tigers signed on to play Austin Prep on Thanksgiving Eve. Not only that, the game serves as a tribute to two fallen alumni, Ed Repucci for the Golden Knights and Rick Drislane of Tech, both of whom died in auto accidents.
After the game, both teams gather at midfield and their coaches speak to them about making good choices.
The Knights are 2-3, but when these teams meet, records don’t matter. There have been several surprises and upsets over the years.
The Tigers are led by running backs Steffan Gravely and Keoni Gaskin, both of whom seem destined for 1,000-plus-yard seasons.
KIPP at Nashoba
At Nashoba (7), the Panthers will try to win their second game of the season, and will attempt to do so against the 2-3 Vikings.
Also on for Saturday is Danvers at Beverly (1).