Weekend Football Sked Rates A Look

At first glance there are no sexy games this weekend, no showdown of unbeaten teams, no winner-take-all must-see battles. But take a close look at the records and you'll see what's on the line as we head toward the Oct. 22, the day the MIAA tournament power ratings are finalized and the pairings come out.

A top four seed gets you a home playoff game, a huge benefit on the field and a reward to loyal fans. Take the Arlington at Reading contest Friday. Both teams are 3-2. Reading is one of four teams in Division 2 North with a 3-2 mark and is currently the No. 6 seed, meaning an away game to start the playoffs. Think this one matters to the Rockets? Arlington is seeded No. 6 in Division 3 North. A win over Reading could give the Spy Ponders a home playoff game, especially with No. 3 seed Tewksbury facing No. 4 seed Billerica in the final weekend of regular-season play. One of them has to lose.

This time of year, for many schools it's all about the MIAA power ratings. Here's a look at what area teams are up to this weekend:

Watertown (3-2) at Stoneham (4-1), Fri., 6:30 p.m. -- These two combine for more than 60 points a game so expect a high-scoring affair. Both played Melrose tough before losing late. Watertown has a home playoff game right now, but by just 4/100ths of a point.

Lynnfield (5-0) at Ipswich (3-2), Fri., 7 -- The Tigers have won their last two games and no one in Lynnfield should take this one for granted. Despite Swampscott's loss last week the Pioneers are still tied with the Big Blue atop the Division 5 North power ratings.

Winchester (1-4) at Melrose (5-0), Fri., 7 -- The Sachems won their first game last week and the cliché "they're better than their record indicates" certainly applies here. But beating the Red Raiders on their home turf is a lot to ask.

Woburn (3-2) at Wakefield (2-3), Fri., 7 -- Both teams are coming off big wins, with the most impressive being the Tanners' win over Reading. Woburn appears a lock for at least the No. 8 seed in Division 2 North. With Lexington next up, Woburn needs to take care of business against the Warriors.

Arlington (3-2) at Reading (3-2), Fri., 7 -- Jack Geiger continues to carry the load for the Rockets, leading Division 2 in scoring with 10 touchdowns. Arlington is a game ahead of Reading in the Middlesex Liberty standings and no one in Rocketland wants to finish in third place.

Austin Prep (0-5) at Bishop Fenwick (1-4), Fri., 7 -- With St. Mary's on the schedule next week, it's now or never for the Cougars to earn a Catholic Central win in 2017. The Cougars are scoring just 8.4 ppg and it will take more than that to beat a Fenwick team looking for its first win at home.

Masconomet (4-1) at North Reading (3-2), Fri., 7 -- The Cape Ann Kinney title is on the line and the most obvious question is whether the Hornets can score 36 points against Masco. Why? Because the Chieftains have scored 35 points in three straight games and that's what we call a trend.

Lynn Tech (5-0) at Northeast (2-3), Sat., 10 a.m. -- The Tigers are part of an amazing season in Lynn with all four schools 5-0. But the Knights have a shot thanks to an offense that is scoring 33 ppg. Are we predicting an upset? No, just saying if it happened it wouldn't be shocking.