Patch Picks: High School Football Opening Weekend

By Bob Holmes, Patch Correspondent

After weeks of detailed, late-night study, it's time to pick the winners of some of the top high school football games this opening weekend. (Reminder: Patch will have live scores of every high school football game in your area.)

Everett over Xaverian: But the buzz in Everett isn't about ending the Hawks 24-game win streak. It's about the news that the Crimson have finally found a Thanksgiving opponent. According to Patch sources, Everett will host MIAA newcomer Academy at Penguin Hall, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m.

Needham over Milton: Watch as Needham running back Jared Sklar scores the winning touchdown while performing a double layout backflip with a half twist.

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Duxbury over Bridgewater-Raynham: Let me get this straight, instead of standing up to some obnoxious parent, B-R superintendent Derek Swenson suspended Dan Buron for inappropriate language and he'll sit this one out? Inappropriate language for a football coach? The only inappropriate language here were the words, "you're suspended."

Wayland over Hopkinton: Fired-up Warriors roll after coach Scott Parseghian has Sarah Hurwitz write his pre-game speech.

Arlington over Cambridge: Attendance in Cambridge should be record-shattering after rumor that a Charizard is lurking at Russell Field.

Salem over Archbishop Williams: Two years after Marshfield went 0-11 the Rams turned it around and won the Super Bowl. So take heart Witches ... it can be done.

Andover over BC High: Hey E.J., can you play for BC now? Please!

New Mission over Wellesley: Ever see a married couple and wonder what they see in each other? In the spirit of "opposites attract" we give you New Mission, a city school that went 2-8 last year, and Wellesley, a school that's spent the summer defending itself against racist messages on Facebook. Maybe it's true, love is blind.

North Reading over Ipswich: If the Hornets have half the spunk Susan Bryant has, it's going to be a great season.

Danvers over Winthrop: The No. 1 team in 01923 starts its season with a surprisingly easy win.

Nantucket over Bishop Stang: Ignore those silly Boston papers, the Whalers are the best team in the state. Is it too early to predict the winner of the Island Bowl?

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