Early results no guarantees

Region - Week one of the high school football season is in the books. While there is much to learn from the early results, one thing that is certain: the initial returns are no guarantee of final outcomes. Perhaps as in no other sport more so than football, a lot can change from week one through the end of the season. Injuries, weather changes, momentum shifts and other issues can positively or negatively impact a team's season.

For the coaches whose teams ended on the winning side of the week one results, the challenge is to keep his players on an even keel. Especially at the high school level, it can be easy for a football team to get infatuated with the early returns. And for the coaches whose week one didn't go quite per the script, there is the recourse that a lot can change during the course of the season, and there are still more than two months to go before Thanksgiving football.

Bottom line, it you were fortunate enough to be in a program that took away a week one victory, job well done, but don't make too much of it. The schedule is played one game at a time. The momentum of a week one victory only lasts to the first mental mistake, first botched play in week two.

If you were on the other side of the score, go get them this weekend. There is plenty of ball left to go. Keep your head in the game, be prepared, and make the big play, shifting the momentum back over to your team's side. As they say in the business world, past history is no guarantee of future returns.

Trying to defend

Scott Leslie had hoped to defend his Laborious Labor Day 10 Mile race title in Marlborough but the competition proved the better as Gilbertville's Dan Ostiguy ran to vic tory in a record setting 54:25. Ostiguy and eventual secondplace finisher, Westborough's Michael Panas, ran together in the early miles on a record setting pace. Ostiguy's time was more than three minutes better than the course mark. Panas (56:58) finished second with Leslie (58:35) third, both breaking the previous course mark.

Sudbury's Kara Benson also easily eclipsed the women's course record (1:06.22) finishing sixth overall.

Marlborough's Gary Catterin was the first male master (fifth place overall) and Stow's Elaine DeBitetto the first women's master.

The race was sponsored by the Marlborough's Highland City Striders, the city's High School cross country team and the Recreation Department.

A unique feature of the race is that there are no entry fees. Instead the race director (and Marlborough High cross country coach) asks runners to donate canned goods for the city's Food Pantry. More than 500 cans were collected at the event.

Pigskin Forecast:

Week 2

All Friday games are Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. and Saturday games are Sept. 15 at 1 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Algonquin at Shepherd Hill, Friday. The T-Hawks arguably had the biggest local opening week victory, blasting Wachusett, 22-8. Prediction: Algonquin takes the Hill, 24-17, to remain perfect.

Westborough at Wachusett, Saturday, 7 p.m. The Rangers had a second quarter to remember scoring all their points in a 27-14 win over Nashoba. Hard to figure this game. Going with the momentum. Prediction: Westborough, 21-14.

Assabet Valley at Maynard, Friday. The Aztecs lost a tough one against Hudson, but I look for the Assabet rebound here in a tough road test. Prediction: Assabet Valley, 14-13.

Lunenburg at Hudson, Friday. The Hawks' Derek Palatino had a huge game in the opener, and he'll look to extend that ground game this week. Prediction: Hudson, 20-12.

St. Clement at Hudson Catholic, Saturday. A tough opener for the Green Wave, on the short end of a 26-8 decision against Dorchester. Prediction: I have to go against the Tide here. St. Clement, 13-12.

Marlborough at Gardner, Friday. After a disappointing opener, a 30-7 defeat at the hands of a powerful, non- league opponent (Wayland), the Panthers look to rebound in tough country. Prediction: look for a battle of wounded teams as the Wildcats also lost their opener big time. Marlborough enjoys the long ride back on Route 2, 21-14 winners. last year - cross country, indoor track and outdoor track - Saviet feels his body is returning to its old form at just the right time.

"I started slowly after the outdoor season ended, taking a couple of weeks completely off , but I've been building up my miles since then," Saviet said. "I got up as high as 70 a week before tapering down before I left for school."

Shrewsbury at North Middlesex, Friday. The fun looks to be back in Colonial football, 22-0 winners over Auburn, in a game that made many take notice. The fun extends here. Prediction: Shrewsbury, 28-21.

Doherty at St. John's, Saturday. Prediction: All Pioneers here. No contest. St. Johns, 35-0.

Send mail and sports ideas to ronwoodcock@charter.net.