Even without quarterbacks Pat Long (shoulder) and Lukas Denis (elbow), Everett, led by Gilly DeSouza, powered past Leominster 29-7 to remain the top team in Eastern Mass.
However, things got rocky near the top as BC High was stunned by Brockton 21-0 and fell from No. 2 to No. 10. Brockton bounced from No. 12 up to No. 6.
Why such a big jump for the Boxers? Not only did they beat BC high, but they looked good doing it. Quarterback Austin Roberts anchored a punishing ground attack, and Brockton’s defense was up to speed. Coach Peter Colombo rolled out the triple option, and although the offense struggled early, the Boxers ran the system fluidly in the second half.
Because of the BC High loss, Xaverian, St. John’s Prep, Barnstable and all moved up one spot.
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Duxbury jumped two spots to No. 5 with a big win over Bridgewater-Raynham, which fell from No. 6 to 12.
Although Needham and Andover both were victorious, Needham leapfrogged the Golden Warriors with a dominant 27-0 win over Norwood.
Jumping into the Top 20 is North Attleboro at No. 17, which sat just outside at No. 21 in last week’s poll. North Attleboro impressed in a 47-27 win over LaSalle (RI).
Closing out the Top 20 is Burlington, which throttled Billerica 49-28. Running back Marcus Odiah topped 300 yards and scored three touchdowns, propelling Burlington up from No. 27.
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The full top 20 | See the top 100
1. Everett
2. Xaverian
3. St. John’s Prep
4. Barnstable
5. Duxbury
6. Brockton
7. King Philip
8. Walpole
9. Natick
10. BC High
11. Weymouth
12. Bridgewater-Raynham
13. Reading
14. Needham
15. Andover
16. Mansfield
17. North Attleboro
18. Central Catholic
19. Beverly
20. Burlington