Is Melrose Ripe For Upset? Hornets Sure Hope So

Even though no top-seed has ever lost to a No. 8 seed in the first round of the MIAA football playoffs, North Reading can take heart in what almost happened last weekend. No. 8 Dracut pushed No. 1 Melrose to the max, before losing 14-10. Close but ...

North Reading hopes to do even better against host Melrose this week. A week after edging Wayland 17-14 on an 18-yard field goal as time expired, the Hornets head to Melrose Friday looking to hand the Red Raiders their first loss of the year in the Division 4 North semifinals.

The statewide playoff system is in full swing this weekend with Central and Western Mass teams joining the fun. The goal for all continues to be a trip to Gillette Stadium for the high school Super Bowls Sat., Dec. 2.

Here's a look at what area teams are up to this weekend.

North Reading (6-2) at Melrose (8-0), Fri., 7 p.m. -- The Red Raiders have been averaging better than 30 ppg so North Reading would be well-served to watch the game film and see what Dracut did well. Issac Seide scored both touchdowns against Dracut and he'll be counted on to do it again Friday. Same goes for North Reading and Jake Bedell, who has 12 TDs this fall. The winner faces the semifinal winner between Wilmington (7-1) and Marblehead (8-0) for the Division 4 North title.

Newburyport (4-3) at Lynnfield (7-1), Fri., 7 p.m. -- It seems long ago that the Pioneers opened their season with a 32-0 win over Newburyport. At this point, does that game mean anything? Lynnfield's Anthony and Tyler Murphy continue to put pressure on opposing defenses. Newburyport scores only 13.0 ppg. Should Lynnfield hold serve, the Pioneers would host the winner of the Watertown (4-4) and Somerville (6-2) game for the Division 5 North title next weekend.

Shawsheen (6-2) at Stoneham (6-2), Fri., 6:30 p.m. -- Don't discount Shawsheen because it's a voke school. The Rams can play and have one of the top coaches in the state in Al Costabile. Tre Pignone ran for 215 yards and three scores last week and will again be the focus of the Spartans' attack. Should Stoneham advance it would play the winner of the semifinal between Arlington Catholic (5-3) and top-seed Hamilton-Wenham (8-0) in the Division 6 North final. If AC wins then Stoneham would host the game. If H-W wins, the Generals would host.

Winchester (2-6) at Concord-Carlisle (2-6), Fri., 7 p.m. -- The Sachems ran into a buzz saw last week against undefeated Lynn English and without Liam Fitzpatrick they were outmanned. This should actually be a competitive game between two programs with a history of good football but are struggling in 2017. As always, these games come down to which team still wants to win.

Reading (3-5) at Waltham (3-5) , Fri., 7 p.m. -- The Hawks lost to North Andover in their first round game while the Rockets were blanked by top-seeded L-S. Jack Geiger's return for Reading refueled the Rockets against L-S but it wasn't enough. Waltham is only minus-9 in points this fall so the Hawks have played their share of close games. This is the classic who-wants-it-more game. Which team is still into playing football? Which team has had enough?

Austin Prep (1-7) at Northeast (2-6), Sat., 2 p.m. -- The Cougars finally broke thru into the win column last week and would love to make two straight. Despite Northeast's struggles they continue to be a dangerous offensive team and Zach Sanderson is the second-leading scorer in Division 6 with 128 points.

Wakefield (3-5) at Gloucester (5-3), Fri., 7 p.m. -- The Warriors played unbeaten Marblehead tough last week, losing to the No. 2 seed 28-14. Many thought Gloucester had a shot against Wilmington last week but the Fishermen were blasted 30-0. Just a guess, but the Warriors will have to score three times to have a chance to beat Gloucester.