Patch Players of the Week in High School Football

By Bob Holmes, Patch Staff

Jeremiah Darlington, Wayland — With a 1-2 record that included back-to-back shutout losses and nine straight scoreless quarters, the Warriors needed something good to happen against Concord-Carlisle Friday. Enter Jeremiah Dalton. The senior captain and running back carried 19 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns as Wayland won, 21-6. And with that, Wayland is 1-0 in the Dual County League and tied for first place.

Sal Frelick, Lexington — This guy is becoming a weekly fixture. In a stunning 56-27 win over Reading, the junior quarterback ran for five touchdowns and passed for a sixth. It was Lexington's first win over Reading in 14 years. All that's left for the 4-0 Minutemen are games with Winchester, Arlington, Belmont, and Burlington — teams with a combined record of 5-11.

Christian D'Antonio, Natick — The RedHawks handed Milton its first loss of the year, thanks in part to D'Antonio. The junior quarterback ran for three touchdowns in a 26-7 win. D'Antonio attempted just one pass but won the game with his legs. Natick is now in a four-way tie for second place in the Bay State Conference.

EJ Perry, Andover — The senior quarterback threw six touchdown passes in a 58-28 win over Lowell, the Golden Warriors second straight win after starting the year 0-2. The six TDs gives him 88 career touchdown passes, good for fourth place all-time.

Nate Hall, Brighton — The senior quarterback has led the Bengals to a 4-0 start. In a 34-6 win over West Roxbury, Hall was 22 of 30 for 350 yards and four touchdowns. Brighton is the only undefeated team in Boston.

David Guekguezian, Newton North — There's a fine line between winning and losing, especially in high school football. Which leads us to Guekguezian, the Tigers' kicker for the past three years. In a 7-6 win over Needham, Guekguezian kicked the extra point to give Newton North its third win of the year. Newton North has the second-best power rating in Division 1 South, thanks in part to their kicker.

Jay Connolly, Tewksbury — The Redmen are off to a 4-0 start and it's been a different player every week leading the way. In a 39-7 win over Dracut, quarterback Jay Connolly threw two touchdown passes, his third and fourth of the year. Tewksbury, which faces Lawrence next, is one of three unbeaten teams in Division 2 North, along with Beverly and Billerica.

Drew Gally, Marblehead — Thanks to Gally's efforts we're all set up for the game of the year in the Northeastern Conference. The senior quarterback threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as the Magicians beat Peabody, 33-14. The touchdown passes give him five for the season. And that game of the year? That would be 4-0 Beverly at 4-0 Marblehead on Friday.

Kevin Morency, Beverly — One reason the Panthers are 4-0 has been the play of their senior quarterback. In a 24-14 win over Lynn English, Morency ran for a third-quarter touchdown and passed for two more in the fourth quarter. Bring on Marblehead.

Jared Martino, Malden — The defending Greater Boston League champions won their first game of the year, beating Somerville, 25-19. Junior quarterback Jared Martino led the way, throwing one touchdown pass and running for two more. Martino finished with 114 yards through the air.

Khalil Blair, Cathedral — The junior running back and defensive back scored six touchdowns in a 42-28 win over St. John Paul. One of the touchdowns was a 99-yard interception return. The win puts Cathedral at 4-0, joining Brighton as the only undefeated teams in Division 4 North.

Reed Wilson, Westwood — The Wolverines stunned unbeaten Holliston, scoring 14 fourth-quarter points in a 36-34 win. The junior quarterback threw three touchdown passes including the game-winner to Kevin Hessian in the fourth quarter.

Bob Holmes has spent three decades covering high school football in Massachusetts for The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald. Contact him at masspatchfootball@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @robertholmes630