Massachusetts Boys D1 Top 20
| Rank | Team | [tooltip text="PR*" gravity="ne"]Previous Ranking[/tooltip] | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pope Francis | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Hingham | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Abp. Williams | 4 | 10 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Woburn | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | St, John's (S) | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | B.C. High | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | Marshfield | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | Austin Prep | 5 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| 9 | Belmont | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 10 | Braintree | 13 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | St. Mary's | 9 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 12 | Winchester | 12 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 13 | Xaverian | 15 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 14 | Catholic Memorial | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 15 | Newburyport | 18 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 16 | St. John's Prep | 14 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 17 | Franklin | 17 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 18 | Walpole | 20 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| 19 | Natick | 16 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 20 | Weymouth | NR | 6 | 3 | 1 |
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The single constant throughout this carousel of a season in Massachusetts Division 1 has been the ongoing excellence of undefeated No. 1 Pope Francis (7-0-0), which started the season on top and is poised to make a box-to-wire run.
The Independent Cardinals measured a pair of Catholic Central opponents this week, Bishop Fenwick and St. Mary’s, by a combined 13-3 count. They take on Austin Prep Wednesday and their plus-41 goal differential is easily the best in the division.
Otherwise, the swap fest continues with movement up and down the rankings.
No. 2 Hingham (11-0-0) continued to sail toward Patriot League perfection with three wins, including Saturday’s key 3-1 decision of Marshfield. The Harbormen now await action in the upcoming Patriot League Cup.
Unbeaten No 3 Archbishop Williams (10-0-3) of the Catholic Central Large followed up Wednesday’s 4-1 win at St. Mary’s with Saturday’s 3-0 shutout of Bishop Feehan. The Bishops face off with St. Mary’s again on Monday and Bishop Fenwick Wednesday.
Unbeaten No. 4 Woburn (6-0-1) of the Middlesex League’s Liberty Division shut down Belmont, 3-0, in its only game of the week. The same two teams do it again Wednesday at Belmont before the Tanners take on Winchester Saturday.
No. 5 St. John’s of Shrewsbury (5-1-0) of the Catholic Conference climbs five spots after its 3-2 decision of BC High and a 4-1 win at Malden Catholic. The Pioneers have a Monday-Wednesday home-and-home against Xaverian prior to Saturday’s visit by St. John’s Prep.
No. 6 BC High (3-2-0) settles in behind SJS after that mid-week loss to the Pioneers. The Eagles face off against SJP Monday and Malden Catholic Wednesday.
No. 7 Marshfield (7-2-2) of the Patriot League jumps four spots as wins against Duxbury and Plymouth North preceded Saturday’s loss to Hingham.
No. 8 Austin Prep (8-2-3) of the Catholic Central routed Bridgewater-Raynham, 9-2, in non-league play and eased past Bishop Fenwick, 4-1. Monday’s second meeting with Fenwick and Wednesday’s visit by Pope Francis are on the docket this week.
No. 9 Belmont (4-1-2) of the Middlesex Liberty tumbles a bit after that loss to Woburn. They get another shot at the Tanners on Wednesday.
Unbeaten No. 10 Braintree (5-0-2) moves up three spots after Bay State Conference wins against Natick and Weymouth. The Wamps are scheduled to host Walpole Monday and then head to Walpole Wednesday for a pair of key games with the Rebels.
No. 11 St. Mary’s (4-4-2) drops to .500 and out of the Top 10 after losses to Williams and Pope Francis. The Spartans visit ABW Monday and Arlington Catholic Wednesday.
It was an empty week for No. 12 Winchester (3-1-2) of the Middlesex Liberty, which stays put. The Sachems take on Lexington and Woburn this week.
No. 13 Xaverian (1-2-3) of the Catholic Conference followed up a tie against SJP with a 4-1 win against Malden Catholic. The Hawks have a home-and-home against SJS and a visit from Malden Catholic this week.
No. 14 Catholic Memorial (3-4-0) of the Catholic Conference split games against Malden Catholic before falling to Xaverian. The Knights host SJP Wednesday.
No. 15 Newburyport (7-0-1) of the Cape Ann League cracks the Top 15 after shutting down D2 No. 2 Triton Saturday, 4-0, in a battle of unbeatens. The rivals meet again Monday.
No. 16 SJP (0-1-3) of the Catholic Conference; No. 17 Franklin (9-2-0) of the Hockomock League; and the Bay State Conference trio of No. 18 Walpole (5-1-2), No. 19 Natick (3-3-1) and No. 20 Weymouth (6-2-1) complete this week’s rankings.
- Featured image from Bridgewater/Raynham-Falmouth game courtesy of @BEACHSKATES images
