Everett loss puts rankings in flux after first week of postseason

DEDHAM, Mass. — The first week of the postseason has come and gone in Massachusetts High School Football, and with its passing comes new rankings for the top teams in the commonwealth. A big shakeup occurred for the second consecutive week after yet another high-ranked squad fell to an unranked opponent.

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This time it was Everett High School, as the Crimson Tide (7-1) fell from No. 2 a week ago to No. 9 this week following their narrow 25-22 loss to Methuen in the First Round of the Division 1 Super Bowl Playoffs. It was the first loss of the season for Everett. Taking the Crimson Tide’s place as the No. 2 team in Massachusetts is Lincoln-Sudbury (8-0), who jumped up a spot following their 42-0 shutout win over Wellesley in the Division 1 First Round.

One of just two schools to maintain its ranking from last week, the undefeated Catholic Memorial Knights (9-0) continued to pace the field as the No. 1-ranked squad in the commonwealth. In the first round of the Division 2 Playoffs, the Knights blanked the Woburn Tanners, 41-0.

The only other team to keep its same ranking from a week ago was the No. 4 Franklin Panthers (8-0). Franklin dominated Braintree in their first-round matchup in the Division 1 field, routing the Wamps, 42-6.

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The No. 3 Central Catholic Raiders continued their rise this week, moving up two spots after a 35-14 beating of Weymouth in the Division 1 First Round. No. 5 Xaverian (7-2) and No. 6 St. John’s Prep (7-2) also moved up two spots each after the Hawks more than doubled Brockton, 48-21, while the Eagles blanked Shrewsbury, 28-0; both teams advanced in the Division 1 postseason.

The No. 8 Marblehead Magicians (8-0) also jumped up a pair of spots, remaining undefeated thanks to a 21-7 victory over Norwood in the Division 3 First Round.

Besides No. 9 Everett, the only other teams to drop down in the rankings were No. 7 Reading (9-0) and No. 10 Marshfield (8-1). Both teams still earned victories this last week, as the Rockets outlasted Bishop Feehan, 25-23, in the Division 2 First Round while the Rams beat Beverly, 37-28, in the same playoff round.

Methuen (7-2), King Phillip (7-1), Scituate (8-1), and Natick (8-1) all also received votes this week.

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