Spartans Three Wins From Trip To Gillette

Stoneham football coach Bob Almeida has too many years on the sidelines to look past his next game. But that doesn't mean we can't.

Stoneham faces Bishop Fenwick Friday in the Division 6 North semifinals. A win over Fenwick puts Stoneham into the sectional final against the winner of Hamilton-Wenham vs. Northeast. Fenwick is 7-1 with its only loss to Dedham (7-1) in week 2. So it would be foolish to look past them. But let's do it anyway.

We mentioned Dedham, and the Marauders are one of four teams alive in Division 6 South. No. 4 seed Dedham plays at No. 1 seed Old Rochester (8-0) Friday in one semi with No. 3 seed Medway (7-1) at No. 2 seed Ashland (7-1) in the other. Three of these four play in the Tri-Valley League with ORR the outsider. But for the moment, you can ignore the South.

There's no Division 6 in Western Mass so the MIAA has a rotation set up with the three sectionals. The South winner gets an automatic bye to the Super Bowl. Should Stoneham win the North, the Spartans will have to play the Central winner in a state semifinal Nov. 16-17. Those pairings came out Sunday with just four teams because CMass plays an extra week of regular season football.

The top seed in Division 6 Central is Maynard. The Tigers are 8-0 and after last week's 46-6 win over Clinton, they're averaging 41.3 ppg. If you're keeping track, Stoneham is averaging 41.6 ppg. Maynard's first round opponent is No. 4 seed Blackstone-Millville (4-4). In the other Central semi, No. 2 seed Littleton (6-2) plays Millbury (6-2).

And since we're foolishly looking ahead, do you think Almeida will play his starters on Thanksgiving against Reading? I'm guessing yes. But for now, it's all about Bishop Fenwick.