Big wins can save season

Region - The ninth week of the high school football season saw several local teams post big victories, ones that either improved their playoff chances, or ones that snapped losing streaks setting up hopes for a big final month of the season.

It's a long high school football season from the captain practice workouts, to preseason workouts in August, to the first week kickoff in early September through Thanksgiving football, and for some early December football with Super Bowl trips. Momentum can change quickly, and it is the rare team that manages to keep an even keel the entire way. Those are the special teams.

St. John's came up with a huge victory Nov. 2, 27-14 over previously number three ranked Leominster. The victory is even more special when it comes on the road at Doyle Field. The Pioneers had lost three straight games, two of those to teams outside of Central Mass. The win keeps alive St. John's chances for a postseason spot. The Pioneers came out determined in this one, scoring the game's first 21 points, including a pair of touchdown passes from John Andreoli to Stephen Peterson (4 yards) and Colin O'Rourke (37 yards). After a pair of Leominster scores made this close, Andreoli ran for the clinching score from 30 yards out. St. John's improves to 5-4 overall, but an all important 1-1 in division 1 north ball.

Another team badly needing the win and getting it was Algonquin, 17-13 winners over Milford. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the T-Hawks, a run that had seen the T-Hawks score just single touchdowns in each of their last three games. Algonquin scored two in the first half against Milford on a pair of Matt Campbell runs. Campbell returned to the lineup after missing several weeks with an injury. The T-Hawk defense also came up big and that had to feel good for a team that had allowed an average of 32 points a game over their last four. Now 4-5 on the season, the T-Hawks have a shot at a better than .500 season.

The last of our featured, turn-the-season-around wins goes to the Hudson Hawks, 28-12 winners over Clinton on the road. The Hawks, who had one just once in their last six times out before this one, improve to 4-5, and like Algonquin, also have visions of a better than .500 season. Matt Jacobs helped kick start his Hawks, as half of his six completions went for touchdowns. Talking about grabbing momentum in a long season, and in a game, that's likely what Jacobs's 61-yard scoring pass play to Ryan Barry did to start the scoring in the first quarter.

St. John's, Algonquin and Hudson look to be three teams that weren't ready to close to the books on their '07 football season. They now have the momentum and look to make it a special November.

Week 10 pigskin

forecast

All games Friday Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. or Saturday Nov. 10 at 1 p.m., unless noted.

Burncoat at Westborough, Saturday. The Rangers struggled to get any passing game going in Hurricane Noel, losing last week, 28-6, to Holy Name. Prediction: Westborough 21-14.

Fitchburg at Marlborough. Friday. Marlborough rolled with a 42-20 win over Doherty. This match-up should be a lot of fun. Expect high numbers here. Prediction: Marlborough 28-27.

Maynard at Hudson. Friday. Prediction: Hawks look to keep their winning season alive. Hudson 14-13.

Lunenburg at Assabet Valley. Friday. Game of the week with a pair of top 10 teams. The Aztecs are rolling at 8-1, with only a week-one loss. Buy a ticket for this one. Prediction: Assabet 35-28.

Monty Tech at Hudson Catholic. Friday. You have to put points on the board to win. Prediction: Monty Tech 21-7.

Doherty at Shrewsbury. Friday. The Colonials can see the undefeated season, but have to stay focused as in the past they seem to play to the level of their opponents. Prediction: Shrewsbury 28-14.

Wachusett at St. John's, Friday. Prediction: St. John's 21-13.

Algonquin at Gardner, Friday. Prediction: Gardner 14-6.

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