School Football Season Kicks Off Friday. How Will Your Team Do?

Between the hurricanes, our tweeting leader, and a looney in North Korea, we all could use a distraction. Say hello to the 2017 high school football season, which kicks off across the state Friday, or in one case Thursday but more on that later.

You'll notice a few different things this fall as the MIAA football folks continue to define "long-term" as meaning roughly 12 months. Your favorite school is probably in a new division, with all the "A" divisions replaced with a Division 1-8 structure. That means only one of last fall's Super Bowl winners can actually repeat this season. Any guesses? That would be Everett, which remains in Division 1.

As for other local schools, Reading goes from Division 1A to 2; North Reading from 2A to 4; Lynnfield from 3A to 5; Stoneham and Northeast Regional from 3A to 6; Austin Prep from 3 to 6; Winchester from 2 to 3; and Wakefield from 2A to 4. There won't be a quiz so don't worry about memorizing this.

There are other changes, starting Thursday night with possibly the most interesting game of the weekend. The Patriots' opener? No. How about Atlantis Charter of Fall River facing host KIPP Academy of Lynn, in the first varsity football game for each school. Don't laugh, Boston English played Boston Latin in game 1 in 1887. Great rivalries have to start somewhere. And if you know the mascots of Atlantis and KIPP, you probably have too much time on your hands.

So what's the lineup this week for area teams?

Wakefield at Reading, Fri., 7 -- Despite being neighbors, this is the first meeting of the two schools since 2012. Reading went to the Division 1A Super Bowl but lost to King Philip. Wakefield went 5-6 last fall and averaged 13.2 ppg. That point total won't get it done against Reading, which will feature senior running back Jack Geiger.

North Reading at Brighton, Fri., 6:30 -- The Tigers went 10-1 last year while North Reading went 9-2. But both teams suffered graduation losses but the biggest could be North Reading running back Matt McCarthy, who finished third in scoring in Division 2A with 24 touchdowns. Brighton averaged 32.2 ppg last year and much of their offense returns. Ordinarily you'd like North Reading's chances. But Brighton will be a challenge.

Archbishop Williams at Stoneham, Fri., 6:30 -- Another game matching virtual strangers. The Bishops went 6-4 in 2016, Stoneham went 7-4. Tre Pignone returns to lead the Spartans on both sides of the ball. Archbishop Williams is a senior-laden team but with a new quarterback. No predictions here.

Newburyport at Lynnfield, Fri., 7 -- With five straight Cape Ann League titles, Lynnfield is the team to beat again in 2017. The Pioneers feature Nick Kinnon, a speedy receiver who caught 41 balls last fall. Matt Mortellite will start at quarterback. This is the first of four straight home games in September for Lynnfield. Newburyport has a new coach, new quarterback, and a new line. Ouch.

Salem at Austin Prep, Fri., 7 -- The Cougars will put the offense in the hands of senior quarterback Matt Rubino and hope for an improvement on last fall's 2-9 mark. Salem went 3-8 in 2016 so both teams are eager to get off to a good start.

Manchester Essex at Northeast, Sat., 10:30 a.m. -- The Golden Knights have plenty of talent, but little experience. There could be growing pains in the first game against a Hornets team that went 5-6 last fall. But the same can be said for Manchester, which has a new quarterback and just 30 players who came out for football.

Winchester at Newton South, Sat., 2:30 -- The Sachems return senior quarterback Liam Fitzpatrick and that's a good starting point. Add in receiver Steve Osborne and Winchester will score some points this fall. Newton South has struggled in recent years, finishing just 2-9 last fall. But the Lions can score. Take the over in this one.

And before I forget, KIPP is the Panthers. Atlantis is the Tritons. For those who didn't know.