Upsets can be plenty of fun. Or they can be devastating, depending on which side of the scoreboard your group falls on.
Week 6 had a bevy of them, some of which were featured in last Thursday’s Pickorama. West Bridgewater entered as an underdog and responded with a 47-43 shootout win against Fairhaven. Swampscott followed suit, returning to its old winning ways with an impressive 28-22 victory over a previously undefeated Gloucester squad.
With only three weeks remaining before postseason play, the Herald presents its latest set of picks for the top games this weekend:
Tri-County vs. South Shore Tech
South Shore Tech (3-2) is fresh off a 27-6 win over Cape Cod Tech in Week 6, and is looking to make a statement. Tri-County won its first-ever Vocational Bowl title last fall and has improved. The Cougars have steamrolled to a 6-0 start, and are averaging 42.66 points per game.
Connelly’s pick: Tri-County
Murray’s pick: Tri-County
Xaverian vs. Catholic Memorial
A heavyweight battle between Catholic Conference’s premier programs. After a few heartbreaking losses, Xaverian (3-2) got back on track last week with a 40-16 drubbing of St. John’s (Shrewsbury). The Hawks will be hosting, but are faced with a tall order, looking to topple an undefeated Catholic Memorial (5-0) squad. The Knights have won 17 straight games dating back to 2024, and have looked just about unbeatable.
Connelly’s pick: Catholic Memorial
Murray’s pick: Xaverian
Lowell vs. Billerica
This feel like a Merrimack Valley Conference battle that could be decided in the final few possessions. Lowell (4-1) recently held on in a 42-37 thriller with Chelmsford, its lone defeat coming at the hands of Tewksbury on Sept. 26 (25-21). Following a dominant three-game winning streak, Billerica (3-2) suffered its toughest loss last week in a 35-0 shutout, also to the league-leading Redmen.
Connelly’s pick: Lowell
Murray’s pick: Lowell
Cohasset vs. Carver
Cohasset coach Pete Afansiw took a worthy risk last week with a potential game-winning two-point try, and his group fell just short to fellow South Shore League juggernaut Randolph, 28-27. Now the Skippers (4-2) make a trip down Route 58 to Carver, looking to regain momentum against a Crusaders (2-3) team that has had the propensity to challenge every opponent.
Connelly’s pick: Cohasset
Murray’s pick: Cohasset
Scituate vs. Quincy
The Patriot League’s Fisher Division race might be the most competitive in Massachusetts, with four schools chasing the title. These are two of the contenders. Scituate (5-1) responded from a tough Week 5 loss with a convincing 35-0 shutout of Pembroke. Quincy (5-0) is enjoying one of its best seasons in years. The Presidents walked it off against Plymouth South in their last game (25-22), as Brayden O’Connell drilled a field goal at the buzzer. This could be a classic.
Connelly’s pick: Scituate
Murray’s pick: Scituate
Canton vs. Foxboro
Let’s be frank, the Hockomock League is a gauntlet. Every game is challenging, and this one happens to feature two of its best. Canton (4-1) suffered its first defeat last week (30-21 to North Attleboro), but remains dangerous. Foxboro (4-1) was listed as the No. 1 team in the MIAA’s recent Div. 5 power rankings and is coming off a 48-7 win over Oliver Ames in Week 6. Could easily go either way.
Connelly’s pick: Foxboro
Murray’s pick: Canton
Dexter Southfield vs. Loomis Chaffee
In a surprise twist, Dexter Southfield (5-0) was handed a win last week when the Kent School opted to forfeit its matchup with the Brookline program. It pushed Dexter Southfield one step closer to a NEPSAC bowl bid. Casey Day’s vaunted squad will look to clinch one against Loomis Chaffee. The Pelicans (2-3) fell to Milton Academy, 24-6, last week. However, they have many weapons to work with and will be looking for a bounce-back performance.
Connelly’s pick: Dexter Southfield
Murray’s pick: Dexter Southfield
BB&N vs. Milton Academy
A highly-anticipated clash between two of Massachusetts’ best NEPSAC programs. Led by players like Damon Taylor, Vince Snoonian and Sam Kelley, BB&N (3-1) has continued to win since seeing Bo MacCormack depart for the college ranks. Qur’an McNeill has remained one of the state’s top quarterbacks for Milton Academy (3-1). The Knights have had the upper hand in the past two meetings and will look to continue that trend.
Connelly’s pick: BB&N
Murray’s pick: BB&N
Record keeping
Connelly’s Week 6: 5-3
Murray’s Week 6: 4-4
Connelly’s season: 42-21
Murray’s season: 43-20
Combined record: 85-41
