Making a case for number one

Region - What will it take for them to grab that top ranking? After steadily climbing during the season, and sitting second just a mere tick behind top-sitting Fitchburg (in last week's poll), Shrewsbury may well be on top of the Central Mass. media football poll. They already had my vote, and deserve as much from the other voters, hot off their most recent victory, 27-6 on the road over Algonquin. While I'm not surprised at the result, the Col's convincing margin was worth taking note.

The Colonials are 6-0 and clearly on a roll. Quarterback Jawad Yatim has become the anchor, with his 14 of 16, nearly 200-yard performance at Algonquin becoming more the rule than an exception. But as a former quarterback, coach Terry Walles knows well, a team's off ense is usually only as good as the big guys up front, and Yatim is quick to give credit there.

Shrewsbury will be hard to beat looking ahead with Westborough, Marlborough, Burncoat, Doherty and Thanksgiving football with Milford left on the regular season docket, three home and two away games. While the team and their fans might not want to talk about it, that "perfect" season is there for the grabbing, and a top ranking. They are more than half way there and the hardest part of their schedule is arguably behind them.

What appears clear, it is one of those special seasons in Shrewsbury.

Some things new

Hopefully in what will be the first of many congrats, kudos go out to Westborough's girls soccer team who captured their first Mid-Wach B girls soccer title when they tied Marlborough 0-0 in the team's Oct. 9 game. Paul Mumby is in his first season coaching the Rangers.

The Rangers are undefeated in their first eight league games including three ties. They have lost just once in 11 games overall. The clinching came on the home field (Marlborough) of the defending league champions.

Westborough has three remaining regular season games: Saturday Oct. 20 at Algonquin; Tuesday Oct. 23 at St. Peter- Marian; and Saturday Oct. 27 at Shrewsbury.

Hurricanes storm

into Natick

Shrewsbury's Lady Hurricanes, girls U14 soccer team took the prestigious Natick Soccer Tournament's division 1 title. The 26th annual Natick tournament, held over Columbus Day Weekend, draws some of the best youth soccer teams from the state and New England.

Many top teams from youth programs and leagues such as Berkshire, BAYS, Coastal, Essex, MAYS, Middlesex, Nashoba, Pioneer Valley, South Coach and South Shore competed this year.

There were eight teams competing in the top girls U14 division including Shrewsbury, Agawam, Portsmouth, Natick, Wellesley (2), Northborough and Holliston.

Shrewsbury came in the tournament hot, undefeated and just once tied in six MAYS league games this fall.

In the Natick tournament's early rounds, Shrewsbury went 3-0 with wins over Holliston, Wellesley and Northborough, outscoring their opponents 9-0 in the games advancing to the semi-final round.

The Hurricanes defeated Agawam, 1-0, in a very physical game. With the win, Shrewsbury advanced to the finals against defending champion Holliston.

Shrewsbury controlled the final, jumping out to a 2-0 lead at the half on their way to a 4-1 win and the championship.

Congrats to coach Jim McKinley and his players, Meghan Burke, Lindsey Card, Ashley Dawson, Katelyn Hanam, Lizz Jiang, Stephanie Kalinowski, Jordan Kennedy, Brittany Laramee, Caralyn Logan, Kelan McCann, Maddy McKinley, Megan McKinley, Jessica Morana, Elisabeth Peterleitner, Kayla Shea, Hannah Stahl and Devinne Zadravec.

Week 7 pigskin

forecast

All games Friday Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. or Saturday Oct. 20 at 1 p.m., unless noted.

Shrewsbury at Westborough, Saturday. Westborough snapped a four-game losing streak with a 12-7 win over Doherty and hopes to build off that in this tough one. Predic-

Continued on following page tion: Shrewsbury 27-13.

Milford at Marlborough. Friday. Another late-game victory for the Panthers, now 4-2, and two more Josh Carter TD runs to go along with one in the air. Prediction: Marlborough 21-14.

Hudson at Oakmont, Friday. The Hawks broke their three-game losing streak with a 15-14 win over West Boylston. After falling behind by two touchdowns, the Hawks showed life with a pair of fourth-quarter scores including a game-winning two-point conversion on a Matt Jacobs to Ryan Barry pass. Prediction: Hudson 21-13.

Murdock at Assabet Valley, Friday. One of the region's hottest teams, now winners of six straight. Prediction: Assabet Valley 30-14.

Hudson Catholic at Bay Path, Saturday. Prediction: Bay Path 28-14.

Fitchburg at St. John's, Saturday. The Pioneers come off a 25-14 loss to SJ Prep, and have now dropped two of their last three games to fall to 4-2 overall. Prediction: Game of the week possibilities here. St. John's 21-20.

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