How about a little Friday night excitement?

Region - Looking to start your weekend off with a little heartthumping excitement? Check out a local football stadium. Last-second winning plays seem to be becoming a habit for area football teams. With the season at its half way point, there's still time to jump in.

The latest, last Friday (Oct. 5) when Marlborough turned back the hands of time to outlast Algonquin 27-26. With Marlborough down, and the scoreboard clock showing all zeros after a Panther incomplete pass deep in T-Hawk territory, it appeared Algonquin.

But upon further review, officials put one second on the clock, time for one last Marlborough play. And how the Panthers took advantage of it when quarterback Josh Carter found Lane Garvey for a 7-yard touchdown and the win.

Carter has had a fantastic season, and an especially memorable last two weeks. Against Algonquin, he ran for three scores and threw for the winner. The week before he threw for three and ran for three more in his team's big win over Westborough.

Looking to start the weekend off with a bang, spend a Friday night under the lights.

Hot footing it

to City Hall Marlborough's fourth Annual Main Street Mile was another success going off Sept. 30 as part of the city's Heritage Day festivities under perfect racing conditions.

Sixty runners of many ages started the mostly downhill course from the corner of Lincoln and Broad streets to a finish line near City Hall.

West Boylston's Adam Parslow, a member of Fitchburg State's track team, jumped to the front on his way to a 4-minute 28-second finish, just seven seconds shy of Rich Marion's course record.

Rebecca Connelly defended her title winning in 5:10, equaling her course record.

The race is organized by Mark Vital, head of the city's Highland City Striders running club, and coach of Marlborough High's cross country team. Not surprisingly, the Panthers were well represented in the race as Adam Charbonneau (4:39) and Dessie Stefanova (5:23), both from the high school, set overall records for Marlborough runners, also winning their age divisions.

Ashland's John Kirk (4:41) and Connelly won the masters' division. James (5:11) and Cameron Piper (6:02) of Westborough won the parent/ child team race for the second straight year.

Other top 10 local finishers included Northborough's Bill Lafreniere, Marlborough's Mike Bryant, Dom Naples and Dave Hogan.

In addition to the Highland City Striders, the event was also sponsored by the city's Recreation Department, the Marlborough Wellness Committee, the Heritage Day Committee, the Police Department and the Prospector East Saloon.

T-Hawks take draw

Championships are won, players graduate, underclassmen take their place, but the Algonquin boys soccer program continues to compete at the highest levels. Playing against one of the state's other best programs, Acton-Boxborough, Oct. 6, Algonquin pulled a 1-1 draw when Jake Wilson scored in the final 15 minutes. AB, who remains undefeated in 10 games, along with 5 ties, had scored just minutes before.

The T-Hawks finished the weekend at 6-1-1, their only loss, 3-1 to Newton North (another power), a week earlier.

There is no doubting, the T-Hawks play a big time outof region schedule that, while it may hurt the regular season schedule, really sets up the team well in the post-season. When you have played the best in the regular season, the postseason simply doesn't look that daunting.

Speaking of those big games, soccer fans should have Saturday Oct. 27 marked on the calendar, when St. John's travels to Northborough for what could be a preview of November's CMASS finals.

Week 6 pigskin

forecast

Play really gets serious now as teams have pretty much established their personalities by week six. All games Friday Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. or Saturday Oct. 13 at 1 p.m., unless noted.

Doherty at Westborough, Saturday. After a week one win, the Rangers have dropped four straight. Prediction: Some will call this an upset, I call it a Ranger victory. Westborough 21-14.

Burncoat at Marlborough, Friday. How Josh Carter goes, so do the Panthers. Marlborough can't look past this one or it could cost them. Prediction: Marlborough 28-14.

Hudson at West Boylston, Friday. After the Hawks' loss to Littleton, it's three straight defeats after winning the first two. Prediction: Hawks return to the win column, 20-13.

Assabet Valley at Nashoba Tech, Friday. The Aztecs are on a roll, winners of four straight where they have averaged nearly 30 points a game while limited opponents to less than 10 points. Prediction: Aztecs 28-21.

Worcester Tech at Hudson Catholic, Saturday. The Green Wave, now 1-4, are looking to turn their season around. Prediction: Unfortunately, that turnaround doesn't start here. Worcester Tech 19-12.

Shrewsbury at Algonquin, Friday. Shrewsbury escaped their "trap" game, with a 12-7 win over St. Peter-Marian. Let's call this one the game of the week, a chance for some of that Friday night excitement. Prediction: Shrewsbury remains undefeated, but barely, 21-20.

St. John's Prep (Danvers) at St. John's, Saturday. While the Pioneers are 4-1 on the season, there is a feel among many, that they could be winning games more impressively. Prediction: In the battle of the Saints, the Pioneers take the decision, 28-21.

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