With Pats As Appetizer, Local Football Teams Begin October Push

Rarely would anyone refer to a Patriots game as the weekend appetizer, but the Thursday start to your football weekend certainly gets fans ready for the main course Friday night.

The calendar has turned to October, meaning unbeaten Lynnfield will finally play on the road. Sorry Pioneers, but only four other schools out of 100 in EMass have yet to play a road game -- Northeast, Tri-County, Dracut, and Ashland. You've been spoiled. Lynnfield (4-0) heads to Manchester Essex Friday owning the second-highest seed in Division 5 North behind Swampscott (4-0) and the ninth-leading scorer in the division in Anthony Murphy (6 TDs).

The biggest game locally is the matchup between Stoneham and host Melrose. Both are unbeaten at 4-0, both can score points in a hurry, and both are giving up less than two scores a game. Stoneham is the top-seed in Division 6 North while Melrose is tops in Division 4. Want to focus on one player? Then keep an eye on Stoneham's Tre Pignone, the division's fourth leading scorer with eight touchdowns.

While there's plenty on tap locally, forgive us for keeping an eye on Friday's Everett at Lowell game. Both teams are unbeaten and Lowell is averaging 45 ppg, amazingly just good enough for fifth best in the state. I've already penciled in an Everett vs. Lexington Division 1 North final but I'll be looking for the eraser should the Red Raiders beat Everett.

Here's a look at what's going on for area football teams this weekend.

Austin Prep (0-4) at Cardinal Spellman (3-1), Fri., 6:30 p.m. -- The Cougars are 2-13 going back to the start of 2016 and in need of a win. The problem is that Spellman got spanked by unbeaten St. Mary's last week and will be looking to erase that memory with a big win at home.

Lynnfield (4-0) at Manchester Essex (2-2), Fri., 7 p.m. -- The Hornets have won their only home game this fall and knocking off the Pioneers would do wonders for their seeding in Division 7 North. In order to win, ME will have to score at least three touchdowns, a challenge against a Lynnfield defense that's giving up just 8 ppg.

Northeast (2-2) at Greater Lawrence (2-2), Fri., 7 p.m. -- Knights' fans have watched some of the most entertaining football games of the 2017 season, last week's 36-30 double OT loss to Shawsheen being a perfect example. Zach Sanderson (10 TDs) is fun to watch and Northeast has scored 34, 42, 48, and 30 points in going 2-2. But now they hit the road for the first time and a loss would leave them at 0-2 in the conference.

Wakefield (1-3) at Burlington (0-4), Fri., 7 p.m. -- The Warriors are sitting 8th in the Division 4 North seedings and a win against a struggling Red Devils team would keep them in the playoff hunt. And looking ahead, if the season were to end today that means Wakefield would face Melrose in the first round of the playoffs, then again on Thanksgiving. But there's a long way to go before we grumble about that scenario.

Woburn (2-2) at Reading (3-1), Fri., 7 p.m. -- With Lexington sitting comfortably in first place the Middlesex title might not be at stake here, but it's still a huge game for both football-crazed communities. With Reading QB Matt Panacopoulos ailing, this one could be as simple as which running back has a better night, Reading's Jack Geiger (7 TDs to lead Division 2) or Woburn's Isaiah Cashwell-Doe (3 straight 100-plus yard rushing games).

Stoneham (4-0) at Melrose (4-0), Fri., 7 p.m. -- The winner all but clinches the Middlesex Freedom title, something Stoneham has never done since the league divided in two in 2009.

North Reading (2-2) at Pentucket (1-3), Sat., 2 p.m. -- Kyle Bythrow will try to add to his passing totals, which place him third in Division 4 going in with five touchdown passes. The Pentucket offense has struggled this fall, averaging just 12.8 ppg.

Belmont (0-4) at Winchester (0-4), Sat., 2 p.m. -- Someone's finally earning their first win of the year and each have reasons to believe it will be them. Belmont lost to Reading, 29-24, and should feel good about making the Rockets sweat. Last week's loss to Lexington aside, Winchester has been hurt by injuries and sickness, not by a lack of talent. A little health would go a long way for the Sachems.