ESPN

WEST ROXBURY, Mass. -- Following last week's season-opening loss to Milton Academy, St. Sebastian's knew one slipped through its fingers — due, in part, to some costly turnovers which led to their demise.

On Saturday, the Arrows saw things from a different perspective — bearing witness to advantages one can have when they are on the receiving end of turnovers. Roxbury Latin was the gracious gift giver, coughing up the ball on its first three possessions. That led to three touchdowns for the Arrows as they went on to roll, 37-7, in an ISL contest held at Schoolhouse Field.

Still stinging from Milton Academy defeat, St. Sebastian's, who finished 9-0 a year ago and took home the Arthur Valicenti Bowl trophy, set a precedent all week that its season begins now.

Such attitude appeared to work. The Arrows (1-1) proved highly-effective on both sides of the ball against the Foxes. They limited Roxbury Latin's offense to 153 yards, just 49 in the opening half. Offensively, they finished with 290 yards — much of that coming from its strong ground attack consisting of Connor Strachan, Blake Gallagher and Edosa Onaiwu.

"Last week, we made three big mistakes and it costs us," Arrows longtime coach Bob Souza said. "This time, Roxbury Latin made the mistakes. We did a lot of good things against Milton and our kids knew it. I told the kids this league is still up for grabs and we still have our destiny under our control. I think we'll be in the hunt for a title throughout the year."

After shutting out St. Paul's last week, the Foxes (1-1) were feeling good about their chances entering this one. But confidence suddenly turned to panic after a pair of miscues in the opening minutes gave the Arrows a short field to work with.

The first mistake came after punter John Baron couldn't handle the snap, losing control of the ball that was recovered by Miles Hunter, allowing St. Sebastian's to set up shop on the Roxbury Latin 20. Four plays later, Strachan (52 yards on 8 carries) scored from a yard out giving the Arrows a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Foxes returner Parker Kent failed to field the ball cleanly, allowing an alert John McNamara to pounce on it.

Standing the at the Foxes' 15-yard line, St. Sebastian's needed only one play to go up by two scores as Strachan busted through for the score with 4:11 still left in the initial quarter.

"We knew coming off our loss last week that we needed to be firing for this game," said Strachan, a Boston College commit. "We have a bunch of kids on this team playing both ways so we need to go heavy in the first half like we did today and set the pace for ourselves."

The two turnovers left Roxbury Latin deflated, as it could never get anything going thereafter. The Foxes’ run game was held in check throughout and quarterback Peter Cahill (8-of-16, 91 yards, 1 TD) was under constant pressure throughout by the Arrows' massive front line.

Things didn't get much better for Roxbury Latin to start the second quarter. Cahill was picked off by Strachan, which led to a 74-yard, 11-play drive culminated in Matt Daniel hauling in a 27-yard scoring pass from quarterback Geoff Wade and go up by 20.

"We told the kids all week leading up to this game that we needed to start fast," said Souza, who was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010. "We can't let up and not give Roxbury Latin any kind of an opportunity to gain momentum. Now we just need to build on this win and continue to get better."

With under two minutes remaining before the half, St. Sebastian's offense was back at it. Following a Foxes punt, the Arrows drove 65 yards behind Gallagher (9 carries, 86 yards) and Onaiwu (64 yards on 10 rushes) before Strachan was given the ball from the 1-yard line and dove across for his third touchdown to send St. Sebastian's into the break well in-command at 27-0.

"Anytime the defense can come out and do what they did and put the offense in good positions to score that's huge," said Wade. "We aren't looking to gain 500 yards a game, we just want to put the ball into the end zone."

With this contest in his control, Souza began substituting other players in. But the Arrows never lost a beat. Running back James Fiore scored on a 3-yard run to begin St. Sebastian's first drive of the second half, pushing the margin to 34 points.

The Arrows added three more early in the fourth on Kevin Ginns' 27 yard field goal.

Roxbury Latin avoided the shutout in the closing minutes as Cahill connected with receiver Sean Lowrie in the back corner of the end zone.

"That's a tough team to come back against," Foxes coach Pat Ross said. "I dreaded all week in hoping we wouldn't give up something quick to them but after our first one things began to snowball. But our guys never quit and fought the entire game. We know we aren't as big as St. Sebastian's and we knew we needed to play near-perfect football against them and unfortunately it didn't work out."

MILTON, Mass. –- If St. Sebastian’s and Milton Academy had played five minutes longer on Saturday afternoon, we could very well have seen a different result. In a fast-paced offensive game that was back-and-forth the whole second half, Milton was able to pull out the victory over the visiting Arrows, 31-27.

Drew Jacobs anchored the Mustangs’ (1-0) offensive attack with 139 yards, making his presence felt during Milton’s furious second half comeback.

St. Sebastian’s (0-1) Boston College-bound two-way star Connor Strachan (13 carries, 110 yards, TD) made his presence felt right off the bat on the Arrows’ first two drives. St. Sebastian’s finished with two touchdowns on the opening drives to show for their effort. Strachan ran in a three-yard touchdown, while quarterback Geoff Wade (8-10, 118 yards, 3 TD, INT) threw a touchdown pass to Matt Daniel (4 rec, 53 yards, 3 TD) to put the Arrows up 14-3 early on.

Enter Jacobs.

Playing hurt and with his team in desperate need of a big play, Jacobs came up with just that, bringing a kick return back 74 yards, setting up the Mustangs in prime position at the Arrows' six yardline. On the next play, Jacobs ran in a touchdown to bring the score to 14-10.

“The guys blocked for me well, I was able to keep my feet. I’m too slow so I couldn’t get in the endzone,” he joked.

Minutes later, St. Sebastian’s extended the lead once again, on Matt Daniels’ second touchdown catch of the day. The play was made possible by tight end Tyson Mattox, who laid down a big block to open up a hole for Daniels. The Mustangs were able to answer before the end of the half though, on a beautifully thrown ball by Anthony Scurto to receiver Domenic Cozier. Cozier, a re-classified sophomore who came to Milton by way of Milford High School, made an awe-inspiring catch in the back of the endzone to bring the lead down to four right before halftime.

“He’s gonna be good, he’s a 4.5 40 guy; he’s got wheels," Milton coach Kevin MacDonald said. "He’s fast, he’s a good player. He’s a repeat sophomore from Milford High, but he was a running back there, and we’ve got him playing receiver and a little defense too. He’s a very good player."

The Mustangs made a couple slight defensive adjustments at halftime, and the changes paid dividends immediately, as freshman defensive back Michael Silva picked up a St. Sebastian’s fumble and brought it back 45 yards to the end zone, giving Milton their first lead of the ballgame.

“We did a horrible job in the first half, but we did a nice job in the second half," MacDonald said. "We switched a couple guys from defensive end to tackle, that helped, and we went to a four-point stance and we got under them. That second half defense was great."

Wade found Daniel once again minutes later. It was their third hookup of the day, giving the Arrows back the lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Milton’s offense answered one last time though, as Scurto threw an 18-yard touchdown pass with 9:16 left in the fourth quarter, giving Milton a 31-27 lead.

“The offense played well the whole game, we didn’t get stopped too many times," MacDonald said. "Our running game was good the offensive line did a great job, and our quarterback is a veteran -- he’s a good player and he made plays when he had to."

It was Milton’s defense though, that gave the Mustangs possession with just over three minutes to go, following an interception by Luke MacDonald. Thereafter, Milton fed Jacobs the ball in hope that a few more first downs would help them seal the win.

Once again, the senior answered the call, breaking off for three straight first downs.

“Drew Jacobs was terrific. He was not 100 percent we didn’t know if he was going to play, but he did a great job,” Maconald said. “He’s a great player, he’s been a great player for three years. He’s arguably the best player in the league, so it’s not a shock. What was shocking is that he wasn’t able to practice all week, he was banged up, but it didn’t seem to affect him much.”

Jacobs said the emotion of playing a St. Sebastian’s team which has beaten Milton two years in a row was all the motivation he needed to step on the field.

“It was all adrenaline. We’ve been talking about this game all summer, we lost to them the last two years in close games, so this is the greatest win ever, this is awesome,” Jacobs said, with a bottle of ibuprofen in hand. “We’ve got St. George’s next week, so we’ll enjoy it tonight and get back to work Monday.”

BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY (2-0) at DORCHESTER (1-0), Friday 6 p.m.

Scott Barboza: The other day when we visited Dragons QB Kyle Dance for our Player of the Week interview, he was wearing a Cam Newton t-shirt. He does his best on-field impression again. Latin, 22-14.

Brendan Hall: Everything we’re taught in this business cautions against cliché, pun-filled headlines. But when you have a quarterback as elusive and fleet-footed as Kyle Dance, you can’t help yourself. Latin Academy, 22-12.

ACTON-BOXBOROUGH (1-0) at No. 7 NATICK (1-0), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: Hate to upset loyal reader and former A-B gridder Mark Martin after picking against the Colonials last week in their win over Cambridge, but I just don’t think this is the week to change my tune. Natick, 34-24.

Hall: Just wait until Troy Flutie really gets untracked. Natick, 31-20.

BARNSTABLE (0-1) at BC HIGH (1-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: Red Raiders are going to enter hungry and desperate not to fall to 0-2, but Eagles defense wins out. BC High, 20-17.

Hall: Barnstable is going to need to show a lot more aggression, and discipline, on both sides of the ball if it is going to stay afloat in the competitive D2 South standings. Eagles could use the points for this win, considering the tough road ahead. BC High, 20-10.

No. 15 ST. JOHN’S OF SHREWSBURY (0-1) at CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (1-0), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: Kevin Bletzer is the type of player an offensive coordinator will have fits about, but ultimately too much to stop with the Pioneers. St. John’s, 32-28.

Hall: After some early struggles, the St. John’s passing game came alive in the second half, thanks to a flurry of screens and a couple of deep completions down the sidelines from returning All-Stater Andrew Smiley. There are some excellent individual talents at CM, but how good they are on the whole remains to be see. St. John’s, 28-14.

No. 6 SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL (0-1) at EAST LONGMEADOW (2-0), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: This will be a one-possession game with Ju’an Williams being the difference for the Eagles. Central, 23-20.

Hall: Spartans proving they are an underrated bunch, after a solid win last weekend, but there is too much perimeter speed to harness here. Central, 25-14.

WEYMOUTH (0-1) at No. 11 BROCKTON (0-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: A game of turnovers, or at least whichever team is able to hold onto the football best. I’m sure it was a point of emphasis for both squads coming off their performances last week. Brockton, 30-21.

Hall: Wildcats licking their chops after Brockton gassed them for 432 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the Division 1 playoffs last year. Flat out, to be perfectly blunt, I just don’t see Brockton losing to a team from the Bay State Conference. I can’t recall the last time they did. Brockton, 27-13.

No. 12 WALPOLE (1-0) at NEEDHAM (0-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: As I wrote in our Roundtable earlier, I really think this classifies as a near must-win for Needham in the stacked Division 2 South sectional. Think the Rebels are too well-rounded though. Walpole, 36-28.

Hall: Wouldn’t be surprised to see an upset here, considering the Rebels’ relative inexperience. But they’ve had two weeks to prepare for this one. Walpole, 17-10.

No. 4 ST. JOHN’S PREP (1-1) at No. 13 CENTRAL CATHOLIC (2-0), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: A defensive struggle in its truest sense. Prep, 17-14.

Hall: That was some vintage defense by the defensively-sound Raiders in last weekend’s shutout of Haverhill. I don’t see Central doing the same to Prep, but I’m curious to see what kind of gameplan Chuck Adamopoulos devises for Johnathan Thomas. The last two defensive coordinators failed. Expect the Raiders to muck it up here. Prep, 17-14.

No. 8 LEOMINSTER (1-0) at No. 9 LOWELL(2-0), Friday 7 p.m.

Barboza: Brian Dolan and the Red Raiders offense opposes their greatest competition – and, most likely – the best secondary they’ll see all season. They find a way to squeak by the Blue Devils. Lowell, 28-21.

Hall: I’ve been saying for a few weeks now that Leominster has the best safety tandem in the state, between Neil O’Connor and Jarell Addo. Lowell is about to find out on Friday night what kind of pass defense they’re up against. Going the other way, I’m intrigued to see how Jack Galvin squares up with Addo at tight end. Leominster, 35-31.

ST. SEBASTIAN’S at MILTON ACADEMY, Saturday 3 p.m.

Barboza: I like the Mustangs’ backfield depth with Luke McDonald and Drew Jacobs; they’re the difference. Milton Academy, 24-14.

Hall: Connor Strachan gets the job done. St. Seb’s, 19-15.

LAWRENCE ACADEMY at GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY, Saturday 1 p.m.

Barboza: Gov’s streak will end this year, just not this week. Governor’s, 17-14.

Hall: LA’s Chris Garrison might be the most impressive player on the field on either side of the ball, and the Spartans will surely get him involved in a variety of ways. Still, I think the sum of the Govs’ lacrosse-bred talent will win out here. Governor’s, 24-14.

GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 1 BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (2-0) at No. 10 XAVERIAN (1-0), Saturday 1 p.m.

Barboza: The Trojans make it four in a row over the Hawks and break out of the early season curse of the ESPN Boston No. 1. B-R, 16-14.

Hall: First there was #CropTopOverTheTop, then came #FakeCropTopOverTheTop. Can we get some #CropTopOverThePylon action to complete the cycle here? B-R, 16-10.

Last Week’s Picks

Barboza: 10-2 (15-8 overall)

Hall: 7-5 (14-9 overall)

St. John's Prep standout and soon-to-be NHL Draft hopeful Brian Pinho led a deep pool of local skaters selected in Tuesday's "Phase 2" of the United States Hockey League's Draft.

Pinho was one of 13 skaters with ties to MIAA hockey who were taken on the day, including 10 who played for member schools last season.

Here's a list of players with New England ties who were selected Tuesday, listed by overall selection:

6. Brian Pinho (North Andover), C, St. John's Prep - Indiana

15. Ryan Segalla (Hanover), D, Salisbury - Dubuque

18. Merrick Madsen, G, Proctor - Des Moines

22. Connor Light (Sudbury), D, Phillips Andover - Omaha

25. Anthony Petruzzelli, LW, Brooks - Green Bay

28. Zach Sanford (Auburn, N.H.), LW, Islanders (EJHL) - Waterloo

30. Liam Coughlin (South Boston), C, Catholic Memorial - Dubuque

34. Danny Tirone (Trumbull, Conn.),G , Loomis-Chaffee - Cedar Rapids

37. James Winkler (York, Maine), RW, Berwick - Muskegon

53. Jake McCarthy (Dedham), D, St. Sebastian's - Muskegon

56. Garrett Hehir (Auburn, Mass.), C, Cushing Acacdemy - Lincoln

59. Shane Starrett (Bellingham), G, Selects Academy (Catholic Memorial) - Sioux Falls

66. A.J. Greer, LW, Kimball Union - Des Moines

93. Kevin Duane (New Canaan, Conn.), RW, Boston Junior Bruins (EJHL) - Des Moines

94. Terence Amarossa, D, Holderness - Sioux City

100. Aaron Titcomb (Charlestown), D, Salisbury - Cedar Rapids

105. Shane Kavanaugh (E. Providence, R.I.), RW, Cushing Academy - Dubuque

111. Connor Brassard (Fitchburg), D, Cushing Academy - Chicago

120. Mark Hamilton (Winthrop), D, Salisbury - Dubuque

140. Mark Dufour (Winthrop), RW, Kents Hill - Cedar Rapids

165. David Belluche (Andover), D, Phillips Andover - Dubuque

177. Carl Hesler (Boxborough), F, Belmont Hill - Waterloo

191. Miles Gendron (Shrewsbury), C, Rivers - Lincoln

192. Shane Bennett, C, Milton Academy - Waterloo

210. Evan Smith, C/LW, Salisbury - Dubuque

211. Ryan Collins (Newton), C, Ottawa (CJHL) - Indiana

213. Brendan Shane, C, The Gunnery - Des Moines

220. Niko Rufo (Stoneham), LW, Kimball Union - Green Bay

225. Mitchell Smith, C/LW, Salisbury - Dubuque

226. Michael Turner, LW, Cushing Academy - Indiana

230. Tyler Sifferlen (North Andover), F, Malden Catholic - Cedar Rapids

237. Mason Krueger (Nashua, N.H.), LW, Avon Old Farms - Waterloo

246. Vincent Ditmore, D, Choate Rosemary Hall - Chicago

257. Tyler Bird (Andover), RW, St. John's Prep - Tri-City

266. Nick Rutigliano (Shrewsbury), D, Boston Advantage AAA - Lincoln

272. Andrew Cross (Saugus), D, Austin Prep - Tri-City

274. Tyler Drevitch (Middleborough), RW, Boston Bandits (EJHL) - Sioux City

279. Colin MacGillivray (Peabody - Malden Catholic), D, N.H. Junior Monarchs (EJHL) - Youngstown

285. Will D'Orsi (Sudbury), F, St. Sebastian's - Dubuque

300. Nolan Vesey (North Reading), F, Austin Prep - Dubuque

307. Joel Daccord (North Andover - North Andover), G, Cushing Academy - Chicago

309. Sam Tucker (Wilton, Conn.), G, Choate Rosemary Hall - Youngstown

310. Charlie Corcoran (New Canaan, Conn.), C, Berkshire School - Green Bay

366. Jack Adams (Boxford), F, Malden Catholic - Chicago

367. Luke Stevens, F, Duxbury - Omaha

382. J.J. Layton (Peabody), D, Austin Prep - Omaha

384. Charley Borek (Durham, N.H.), F, Choate Rosemary Hall - Youngstown

There are football players who are kickers, and then there are football players who can kick. Logan Laurent falls into the second category.

“Sometimes people see kickers and they see someone who's maybe not the best athlete. He's extremely athletic. His upside down the road could be huge. We've sent his tapes all over the place. [Recruiting] will really start to pick up after next week.”

The University of New Hampshire is the only school that has offered Laurent a scholarship, but Dartmouth, North Carolina, Elon and East Carolina are among the other schools that have shown significant interest. He finished first in a kicking camp at East Carolina.

Laurent, who is 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, said he's also considering a postgraduate year. UNH's offer came after Laurent attended a clinic there last summer.

“[UNH coach] Sean McDonnell had me do some athletic stuff – run some routes and play some defensive back, which I love doing,” Laurent said. “After that he had me kick some balls on the field and I went 11 for 11.”

Laurent made two field goals (35 and 40 yards) to help Exeter defeat Pinkerton Academy in last year's Division I championship game. The same programs will meet Saturday to decide this year's Division I championship.

Laurent grew up playing soccer, but Ball persuaded him to play football as a freshman. He played varsity soccer and kicked for the football team as a sophomore.

“I really, really like UNH,” Laurent said. “They're a phenomenal team and have a great 1-AA program, but I'm also talking to other schools and I'm not going to make any decisions until after the season's over. Gotta win a state championship.”

DRY TALENT POOL: Longtime recruiting analyst Tom Lemming wrote a story for last Thursday's South Bend Tribune that said a lack of talent at the high school level in New England is largely responsible for Boston College's recent struggles on the football field.

Here's an excerpt from that story:

“Their problem is that New England has been drastically bad talent-wise the last few years. The talent has never been great there, but it’s been pretty good. There hasn’t been much talent at all in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont don’t produce a lot.”

THIS FORD IS RUNNING FINE: Recruiting interest has picked up for Souhegan (Amherst, N.H.) senior Tyler Ford, who moved from wide receiver to quarterback this season. He's also a kicker, and starts in the defensive backfield.

“He's high on the [recruiting board] of three 1-AA schools: Marist, Holy Cross and UNH,” Souhegan coach Mike Beliveau said. “He's getting great interest from three Division II schools: Bentley, Stonehill and Assumption; and there are a bunch of Division III schools interested, led by Trinity.

“He's 6-feet, 185 pounds. Very solid. He could play receiver or defensive back. He'll definitely punt.”

Ford has passed for 1,920 yards and rushed for 991 yards this season. Souhegan has one game remaining on its schedule.

MASS. APPEAL: Milton Academy linebacker Matt Morin is hearing from some big-name schools, but has yet to receive his first offer. Morin played for Bridgewater-Raynham before transferring to Milton Academy, where he repeated his sophomore year. He recently completed his junior season.

“I'd say Penn State and Maryland are the leading two in terms of interest,” Morin said. “I get mailings from Missouri two or three times a week. Nebraska invited me to their camp. Villanova and UNH have expressed a lot of interest.

Morin, who wrestles for Milton Academy, said he's also heard from Boston College.

“Right now it's medium interest, but no offers,” he said.

Recruiting information regarding high school or prep school players in New England can be sent to Roger Brown at rbrown@nhfootballreport.com.

ACTON-BOXBOROUGH (6-2) AT LINCOLN-SUDBURY (7-1)
The Skinny: Although the Colonials enter this rivalry game after a letdown against Waltham last week, these teams always have a say in the determination of the Dual County League crown. The Warriors have worked toward reclaiming the division title with help from a talented cast of seniors who have two-way success with the football and the lacrosse teams, including Chris Giorgio, Henry Guild and John Sexton. A-B’s wing-T attack is led by a pair of promising juniors in William Tejada (14 TDs) and Tom Saponaro.

Scott Barboza: Bill Maver has the building blocks for a strong group next year, but this senior group from L-S has been primed to make their run during the last two years. The seal the deal for the division, but it’s a rivalry game, so throw the records out. L-S, 20-14.

Brendan Hall: The Warriors take the inside track to their third consecutive postseason berth, but because it’s A-B they do it in knock-down, drag-out fashion. L-S, 17-10.

DIGHTON-REHOBOTH (6-1) AT WAREHAM (7-1)
The Skinny: Both teams sport a perfect South Coast Conference record entering Friday’s tête-à-tête and their only loss came against a common non-league opponent in Somerset-Berkley. Since their opening day loss, the Falcons have run off six straight wins, including a 5-0 record in the SCC. D-R’s ground attack is keyed by 6-foot-7 tackle Chuddy Nwachukwu, but the Falcons have also seen dividends in the passing game behind sophomore quarterback Nathan Kowalski. The Vikings, also undefeated in the SCC, have big-play ability with the electrifying Darien Fernandez in the backfield. Yet, Wareham has also brought the lumber on defense, surrendering just 26 points through five league games.

Barboza: In big SCC games, it’s hard to pick against a Dave Driscoll-led team. D-R, 16-14.

Hall: As usual, our loyal correspondent Corey comes up with some innovative names, this one “The Fernandez Express”. As long as Darien’s legs keep churning, the Vikings will stay ahead. Wareham, 17-13.

STONEHAM (7-1) AT BURLINGTON (7-1)
The Skinny: The Red Devils can sew up the Middlesex League Freedom division title with a win over the upstart Spartans. Stoneham saw its undefeated record blemish last week in a 42-28 loss to Wakefield, but the Spartans are capable of throwing a monkey wrench into the race behind Aaron Louis and Darius McPherson. Meanwhile, Burlington’s backfield tandem of Anthony Cruz and Marcus O’Diah has few equals in Eastern Mass.

Barboza: Cinderella’s ball comes to a halt. Burlington, 33-24.

Hall: Stoneham appears to have a quality foundation for the long haul, but in the short term this Burlington rushing attack will be too much for the Spartans to handle. Burlington, 28-14.

GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY (6-0) AT MILTON ACADEMY (4-2)
The Skinny: The defending ISL champs put their undefeated record on the line in a road game. Gov’s 40-6 win over Brooks last week kept its point-per-game average above 41 points a game as Tate Jozokos and Eli Morrissey continue their assault on opposing defenses. Mustangs junior running back Drew Jacobs continued his breakout season with four touchdowns last week in a throttling of Belmont Hill.

Barboza: Opposing teams better hope they have Jacoby Jones or Ellis Hobbs returning kicks for them because it’s a 108 yards or bust with Justin Yoon kicking off. Still, Gov’s offense takes over. Governor’s, 31-24.

Hall: The Governators haven’t lost a game since Jim O’Leary took over in 2011. How crazy is that? Governor’s, 30-20.

WAYLAND (5-3) AT CONCORD-CARLISLE (4-4) (
The Skinny: Wayland looks for the inside track in the Dual County League’s Small division, entering the game with one of the league’s stingiest defenses (10.6 points allowed), and two versatile targets in senior wideout Mark Bonner and junior tailback Robert Williams. C-C, the defending league and Super Bowl champs, lost Tim Badgley in the preseason, but running backs Evan Boynton and Shayne McCloskey have picked up the slack.

Barboza: Yeah, I went with the Patriots winning a long time ago, in fact before we learned Badgley would be out for the year. It’s political season, so consider me a swing voter here. Wayland, 14-7.

Hall: I have the feeling this game is going to be possession-based. In that case, give me the better defense. Wayland, 10-6.

LOWELL (6-2) AT ANDOVER (8-0)
(The Skinny: Lowell has been on an offensive tear the last four games, going 3-1 and averaging 43 points per game over that span. Cam Latta has spearheaded the surge, but can he outduel Andover’s C.J. Scarpa? The 5-foot-8 senior hasn’t thrown an interception since Oct. 6, meanwhile the Golden Warriors are averaging over 370 yards of offense a game.

Barboza: Calculators ready? Andover, 46-38.

Hall: Remember the 88-80, eight-overtime game between these two in 2010? Let’s do the honorable thing here and move the venue to the Tsongas Center. Andover, 45-40.

NORTHBRIDGE (7-1) AT AUBURN (8-0) (
The Skinny: Auburn, one of the state’s stingiest defenses (5.1 points per game), holds first place in the SWCL A division, and can put a vice grip on it with a win over the Rams. Offensively, the Rockets have rode one of the state’s biggest lines to bull their way to over 2,000 yards rushing and over 2,700 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Drew Goodrich and Tyler Desjardins. But Northbridge quarterback Matt Phelan (1,344 passing yards, 11 TD; 673 rushing yards, 19 TD) will be one of the more slippery athletes the Rockets will have seen all season long. Can they contain him?

Barboza: Again, more than the score, I’m wondering what the line would be set at on these occurrences: how many times the Rockets venture to pass versus the Rams keeping it on the ground. Think it’s a push, but … Auburn, 31-27.

Hall: Classic clash of philosophies here: Jeff Cormier’s power running scheme versus Northbridge guru Ken LaChapelle and his pioneering run-and-shoot. Give me the team with the better line, in a physical battle. Auburn, 20-13.

BC HIGH (3-4) AT XAVERIAN (2-6) (
The Skinny: What would you have said if we told you back in August these two teams would be meeting in November with a combined 10 losses? But that’s what we have here, as the two Catholic Conference foes will fight to stay alive in a conference that St. John’s Prep is favored to take a hold of. If linebacker Luke Catarius is a go for BC High, that should provide an interesting matchup for Xaverian and its talented skill corps of Austin DeCarr, D.J. Pagliuca and Hunter Taute. The key matchup will be in the interior, where two close friends and Division 1 commits will square off – Xaverian defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (Michigan) versus BC High guard Jack McDonald (Virginia).

Barboza: Going with my preseason Catholic Conference pick in this one for whatever that’s worth – though it’s still probably worth more than Facebook stock. BC High, 21-17.

Hall: Give both teams credit here, they’re still fighting hard. But at this point, the Eagles have a little bit more momentum. BC High, 21-10.

BARNSTABLE (7-0) AT BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (5-3)
The Skinny: Once again, these teams engage in a winner-takes-all battle for the Old Colony League crown in this week’s Game of the Week. Some elements to watch entering this one will be to see how the Red Raiders secondary is able to shake off a lackluster performance last week against Billerica. Similarly, B-R had its troubles with La Salle Academy and its spread attack a couple weeks back, so we’ll see how the Trojans’ secondary is able to deal with Barnstable quick and nimble wideouts. Let’s not overlook the running backs in this one, however. Hayden Murphy figured prominently into last year’s win by Barnstable in this game and Trojans sophomore sensation Brandon Gallagher (12 TDs) will be one to watch for years to come.

Barboza: Because it’s what Dan Buron wants us to do anyway, and for the fact I think the Red Raiders repeat. Barnstable, 30-24.

Hall: Any time you have an NFL veteran coaching the secondary, you have to think things will shore up after a bad week. Barnstable, 35-28.

BELMONT, Mass. – The Milton Academy football team was celebrating an impressive 40-10 win over Independent School League rival Belmont Hill when Mustangs head coach Kevin MacDonald summoned sophomore place kicker Justin Yoon.

“Justin Yoon,” MacDonald’s voice boomed across the field.

Yoon, who was helping clear up the sideline at the time, quickly swung his head around and responded, “Yes, sir.”

Always aiming to please, Yoon dutifully came jogging across the field. His coach commented on how much his teammates enjoy having him around. The life of a kicker can sometimes be a lonely one, but Yoon’s very much a member of this Mustangs team.

But Yoon’s journey to Milton and his ascent to being ranked a top sophomore placekicking prospect in the nation is an unlikely one.

“I never really knew what football was until I was introduced in eighth grade,” Yoon said after Saturday’s victory. “That’s what it started with, basically.”

Yoon was born in Ohio, but his family is of Korean descent. His parents – father, Jiseop, and mother, Mihwa – currently reside in the Nashville, Tennessee area while Justin boards at Milton Academy. His father played soccer at Governor’s Academy in addition to being an Olympic figure skater. Jiseop also got Justin into soccer from a young age, perhaps the origin of his youngest son’s booming leg.

Soccer was Justin’s first athletic love. Football wasn’t on his radar until eighth grade, however. That’s when the football coach at Nashville’s Harding Academy suggested he try kicking.

“That’s where I learned how to kick,” Yoon said. “Then, when I switched over to football, I just kept on kicking, and it just stuck onto me. It just happened.”

Yoon opened eyes in his freshman year with the Mustangs. A 40-yard field goal in last year’s Belmont Hill game, played in monsoon conditions in Milton, was a highlight. Yoon made the kick with 15 yards to spare into a swirling wind.

He continued building his national reputation at a summer camp conducted by NFL legend Ray Guy and prokicker.com. Yoon was the best of his age group, averaging 60.75 yards per kickoff attempt at the Augusta, Georgia event. His longest kickoff of the day sailed a staggering 75 yards.

While Yoon presents an offensive weapon for MacDonald to use, his greatest asset might be in what he does to opposing offenses.

“He’s money in the bank,” MacDonald said of Yoon’s field goal tries. “But I think the best thing is just the fact that he kicks just about every kickoff off the field.”

During Saturday’s win over Belmont Hill, Yoon sent several kickoffs clear through the end zone – one of which had a near chance of flying through the uprights.

It’s Yoon’s favorite part of the game.

“The best part about the kickoff is that I can kick it as far I want, anywhere I want,” he said. “So I just want to make sure our team doesn’t have to put too much effort in trying to block the other team.”

Yoon said he’s taken to football, and he hopes to pursue his career into college. With Division 1 programs likely to come calling, Yoon’s set his sights on some of the best academic institutions in the nation, including the Ivys, Duke and Stanford.

With brains to go along with the golden boot, that doesn’t even tell what’s made Yoon so popular with his teammates.

“It’s great when a kid with that kind of ability is totally humble and just a sweet kid,” MacDonald said. “Everybody loves him, and being a kicker is kind of an odd thing at practice, so we set him up in the weight room every day and he works in the weight room with our strength coach and he never complains, he does exactly what we ask him to do.”

Likewise, Yoon credits his teammates.

“It was awkward at first,” Yoon said about the move to Milton Academy. “I’d never been to Massachusetts before. I’d never kicked on the field before. I’d never known anybody from MA [Milton Academy]. And then all my teammates they’d encourage me and helping me to be the kicker that I am right now.”

But MacDonald knows all too well who’s the person responsible for Yoon’s success.

“I’d love to say that we’re coaching him up and teaching him all these great things, but he’s kind of coaching himself,” MacDonald joked. “Every day, I have to say, ‘Justin, enough’s enough. You’re going to have no leg left.’”

And he still has plenty of leg to boot.

NO. 23 CENTRAL CATHOLIC (6-1) AT LOWELL (6-1)
The Skinny: Both teams enter with a 1-0 MVC record, coming off their first league games last week. Lowell rolled over Billerica 56-34 while Central Catholic slipped past Chelmsford 28-21. Cam Latta has picked up where R.J. Noel left off at quarterback this year for Lowell at quarterback, throwing for 12 touchdowns and running for seven more. Central Catholic running back Santino Brancato leads the Raiders with eight touchdowns on the season, none bigger than his final score last week with 41 seconds remaining which was the game-winner over Chelmsford.

Scott Barboza: This will be high-scoring, but relatively tame by MVC standards. Central, 34-28.

Brendan Hall: Because Lowell can score in bunches, and because it's the MVC, take the over. Central Catholic, 38-31.

NO. 13 ANDOVER (7-0) AT CHELMSFORD (4-3)
The Skinny: After a hot start, Chelmsford is trying to snap a three-game losing streak and risk falling behind in the competitive Merrimack Valley Conference's large division. They'll have their hands full against one of the state's most prolific offenses, averaging nearly 400 yards and 39 points per game, between quarterback C.J. Scarpa and receivers Andrew Deloury, Will Heikkinen and Cam Farnham.

Barboza: I think the Lions will try to play ball control for a while, but that can only last so long against the high-octane Andover offense. Andover, 42-31.

Hall: Do you see a recurring theme with our MVC picks? Offense, offense, offense. Andover, 40-35.

LINCOLN-SUDBURY (6-1) AT WESTFORD (6-1)
The Skinny: Like several other key league matchups this weekend, this matchup can potentially put one team in the driver's seat for the Dual County Large title. It's no secret what L-S brings to the table, but workhorse Chris Giorgio is among the league's toughest running backs. Westford counters with jack-of-all-trades athlete Justin Mount, who fills multiple roles on both sides of the ball.

Barboza: Picked the Warriors to win the DCL Large in the preseason and I'm not about to step back now. But the Warriors get it done by a chin. L-S, 14-13.

Hall: Flip a coin in this one. I landed on the Ghosts. Westford, 24-17.

NO. 9 BROCKTON (4-3) AT NO. 14 LEOMINSTER (5-2)
The Skinny: Each of these teams received a boost in different ways last week. The Boxers saw the return of their starting quarterback and emotional leader Auggie Roberts in a drubbing of Big Three rival Durfee. Meanwhile, a Blue Devils offense that has had its troubles in recent weeks, shook off the rust to muster a gut-check, two-minute drive to pull out a last-second victory at Central Mass. rival St. John’s of Shrewsbury, led by quarterback Garrett DelleChiaie. Now, both teams meet in a non-league, late-season measuring stick game to see just how far these offenses have come. Not to mention, both teams can really lay the lumber on defense.

Barboza: Blue Devils ride the wave of momentum. Leominster, 28-20.

Hall: It won't be a shutout, but it won't be as shocking an upset when the Blue Devils take two straight for the first time in...help, anyone? Leominster, 21-14.

HINGHAM (6-1) AT NO. 6 DUXBURY (7-0)
The Skinny: An eagerly awaited battle for the inside edge at the Patriot League Keenan division title, the competition should be as fierce at the tailgate as it will be on the field when the Dragons put their Eastern Mass. best 33-game winning streak on the line. A stout Duxbury defense, led by Mr. Football Award challenger Marshall McCarthy will have its hands full with the Harbormen’s wing-T and backfield led by Ricky Sullivan.

Barboza: The Dragons run their streak to 34 games, but it won’t be without difficulty. Duxbury, 13-7.

Hall: As usual, the Dragons will pull something together in the second half and do just enough to win. Duxbury, 20-17.

NEEDHAM (5-2) AT NO. 10 NATICK (7-0)
The Skinny: After a solid start to the season, Needham is now looking to avoid a two-game losing skid and dropping three of its last five. What better an opponent to try to snap the skid than against one of the state's prolific offenses, led by quarterback Troy Flutie (1,477 passing yards, 19 TD, 4 INT; 555 rushing yards, 7 TD) and receiver Brian Dunlap (41 catches, 784 yards, 11 TD). Needham is also coming off a 31-0 shutout loss to a Walpole squad that was missing its top running back to injury.

Barboza: No chance the Red Hawks aren't undefeated setting up a winner-take-all against Walpole. Can't wait. Natick, 31-17.

Hall: Every time we predict a high-scoring affair involving a Bay State team, it never goes as planned. So I'm going with something fairly pedestrian. Natick, 21-12.

NO. 19 MANSFIELD (5-2) AT NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH (4-3)
The Skinny: The Red Rocketeers will need a win to keep pace with Mansfield (2-0) in the Kelley-Rex division race. The X-factor will be the availability of senior running back and defensive back Alex Jette. While it’s expected Jette will play, the extent to which he’ll be able to contribute is very much up in the air. Still, North is readily able to move the ball on the ground thanks to a physical offensive line anchored by left tackle Eric Beckwith. Mansfield got off to a great start in last week’s blowout of King Philip and the Red Rocketeers’ secondary will have its hands full with playmakers Brendan Hill and Mike Hershman. The Hornets have seen junior linebacker Alexander Ruddy (team-leading 55 tackles, 8 TFL) embrace a larger role this year.

Barboza: In each of the team’s last four meetings, the AWAY team has collected the victory. Not about to buck the recent trend. Mansfield, 26-21.

Hall: Per tradition, the away team wins this one with an epic possession in the final five minutes. Mansfield, 20-13.

NO. 22 KING PHILIP (6-1) AT ATTLEBORO (4-3)
The Skinny: King Philip was soundly delivered a rude awakening a week ago at Mansfield, in a 46-33 loss, and now looks to avoid falling behind in the Hockomock's Kelly-Rex division by extending Attleboro's losing streak. The skid currently stands at three games for the Bombardiers after a 4-0 start, and can't seem to get over the hump -- take, for instance, Malique Clark's nearly 300-yard rushing performance in a 44-41 loss to Franklin last week. An Attleboro win would surely create even more confusion at the top of the division.

Barboza: Warriors defense gets back on track, but it won't be easy against Clark. KP, 21-14.

Hall: I'm all for chaos when it comes to Hockomock bracketology. Get out your TI-83's, folks. Attleboro, 30-20.

WAKEFIELD (6-1) AT STONEHAM (7-0)
The Skinny: It's been a long time since Stoneham has had this good of a start, but the Spartans still face questions about a perceived weak schedule. This is their chance to prove doubters wrong, with defensively-sound Wakefield coming off a 33-0 shutout loss to Burlington.

Barboza: In a word, "SPARRRTAAAHHHHHH!" Stoneham, 20-16.

Hall: Because what the heck, I love rolling the dice, and I want to keep my boss and resident Stoneham-ite Dave Lefort happy. Stoneham, 17-13.

MILTON ACADEMY (3-2) AT BELMONT HILL (3-2)
The Skinny: The Mustangs and Hillies are looking to break free from a logjam of 3-2 teams in the middle of the ISL standings. Milton Academy is led by junior Drew Jacobs, who already has four multi-touchdown games this season. The Mustangs also have one of the biggest offensive weapons in the ISL on the foot of place kicker Justin Yoon.

Barboza: Yoon’s foot provides the difference. Milton Academy, 13-10.

Hall: Let me preface this by saying Justin Yoon can kick for anyone any day of the week. Belmont Hill, 14-10.

ROXBURY LATIN (4-1) AT BB&N (3-2)
The Skinny: Its hopes of an undefeated season no more, Roxbury Latin looks to get back on the saddle and stay in contention for the ISL championship and a NEPSAC Bowl berth. A win here over the Knights, with its solid line and elite target in Wake Forest-bound tight end Brendan O'Neil, would bolster those odds. And the Foxes have the horses to do it, led by Boston College-bound quarterback MacKay Lowrie.

Barboza: Knights can take advantage of the matchup along the line of scrimmage. They'll win the point of attack battle. BB&N, 28-27.

Hall: I'll never count out a John Papas-coached team as long as the guy is in the business, but Latin can win track meets. Roxbury Latin, 35-30.

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- Milton Academy's Rob O'Gara just graduated high school. but he's already a veteran of Boston Bruins development camp.

For the second straight summer, the Nesconset, N.Y. native is skating in the camp alongside the organization's top prospects.

A year ago, O'Gara was selected in the fifth round (151st) of the NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins. Next season, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound blue-liner will skate at Yale.

On Thursday, O'Gara was back at Wilmington's Ristuccia Center to get back to work under the watchful eye of Bruins brass and assistant general manager Don Sweeney. We caught up with him after the team's morning practice for this Q-and-A:

Q: You were part of a NEPSAC championship team in 2010-11, but you chose to go back for another year and the team had a tough year last year. What did you learn from that experience?

A: "That was the biggest thing, being a leader to that group of guys, being able to show them the ropes right off the bat, getting into the weight program in the fall. Sort of that whole experience of being that leader, I learned a lot in that sense. From a hockey sense, I got play more of an offensive role than I did in the past because I consider myself more of a stay-at-home defenseman. I was able to run the power play and learn a lot about that element of the game, that was very helpful."

Q: What will you take from your time at Milton Academy?

A: "From the time going into Milton [to now], I feel like a completely different person. I learned so much about myself, what I can do. I think that's the biggest thing, gaining confidence to go after my goals

Q: What do you take from the experience of going through development camp last year to this year's camp?

A: "I knew sort of what to expect. On the first day last year, we tested right away in the morning We hit that pretty and it was hell. So I tried to prepare myself the best that I could for that. I've been hitting the gym a lot and getting on the ice, trying to get my feet back under me after not skating for a while. I've been skating a lot this spring. I knew it was going to be tough getting back into it. I knew this was going to be a tough week, so I wanted to prepare myself the best I could."

Q: Have you been working with anyone in particular in the offseason?

A: "Back home, I go to Boris Bykovsky, I skate with him a lot. I played with him for a few years. He's a great coach, he knows so much. It was good to be back at home. He knows so much. This summer I'll have the Yale workout program. I'll be hitting the ice as much as I can and against the best competition I can find. I just want to get ready for next year best I can and just keep developing."

NEEDHAM, Mass -- St. Sebastian’s led from start to finish and executed in all facets of the game as they defeated Middlesex 8-2 in an Independent School League match-up on Wednesday afternoon.

“Middlesex is a good team and they came in here undefeated,” St. Sebastian’s head coach Shaun Stanton said. “We had possession early and that was key for us. We also got some big goals from our midfielders early.”

St. Seb’s (9-1) got on the board first as senior midfielder Jack Connolly found the back of the net on a nice individual effort to score the game’s first goal two minutes into the contest.

The St. Seb’s midfield unit of Connolly (3 goals, 1 assist), Aidan Balboni (2 G) and Notre Dame commit Dalton MacAfee (2 A) would account for five of the team’s eight goals, highlighted by Connolly’s second tally of the game. The Dartmouth commit scored with 11.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter as he beat his man to the left and found the back of the net to give the Arrows a 3-0 lead after one quarter of play.

St. Seb’s remained in control throughout the first half as they dominated the ball and used timely offense and lockdown defense to take a 6-0 lead to the half.

Middlesex defenseman and face-off specialist Sam Tweed did a good job all day for Middlesex in the face-off circle but the St. Seb’s defense and midfield play eliminated any lengthy possessions for the Zebras on the day.

St. Seb’s got two goals from attack Gordon Donnelly, who played well on the crease for the Arrows, and a lone score from attack Sam Washburne.

Middlesex received their offense from midfielders Toby Porter (1 G, 1 A) and Sam Muse who both found the back of the net in the third quarter.

GOALTENDING AND DEFENSE RULE THE DAY
St. Seb’s senior goalie and Bentley commit Jarrod Dillon had a strong game in the cage for the Arrows as he made numerous big saves that led to St. Sebastian’s break outs and long possessions.

“Jarrod played great today,” Stanton said. “That is probably the best game that he has ever played for us. Hopefully it is not the best game he will ever play, as we have the rest of the season to go, but he did a great job for us today.”

The St. Seb’s long poles also shined on the afternoon as they dictated the tempo of the game and created problems for the patient Middlesex offense. Along with long-stick midfielder Stephen Brown, the underclassmen close defensive unit of Notre Dame commit Pat Healy, Brian O’Malley and Connor Strachan shut the Middlesex attack out on the afternoon.

“Whether we are playing 3-3 zone or man-to-man we just naturally extend out and force offenses to go north to south,” Stanton explained. “This keeps them from getting to the cage so it makes it a lot easier for us. They also did a great job of forcing turnovers today.”

THE ROAD AHEAD
St. Sebastian’s has now won nine games in a row after a season-opening 5-4 loss to Phillips Exeter. The schedule does not get any easier for the Arrows as they take on Rivers, Milton Academy, and undefeated Governor’s Academy (10-0) in their next three contests.

Stanton highlighted the Gov’s game as “the big one."

Middlesex fell to 7-1 on the season and hosts Groton on Saturday. Groton is led by junior midfielder and Princeton commit Adam Hardej.

Groton is 6-4 on the season and boasts a wins over Roxbury Latin and Thayer on their resume.

BOSTON -- Noble & Greenough used a four-goal outburst in the third period to exact a little bit of revenge on its long-time rival Milton Academy with a 6-2 victory on Wednesday night at Fenway Park in the Sun Life Frozen Fenway event.

Andrew Doane scored two goals and notched an assist, as Nobles beat the Mustangs for the first time in five attempts.

“We had know idea what to expect, because we haven’t played them yet,” said Doane, whose team dropped all four games against their rivals last season. “We knew it was going to be a battle. … It’s a big school rivalry. It ends every season with us playing them and the kids get really into it.”

Chris Calnan got Nobles on the board first at 7:13 of the first period. Adam Gilmour took a shot from the slot and Calnan came buzzing around to pot the rebound for the 1-0 lead.

Doane’s line broke out in a picture-perfect 3-on-1 in the second period as Max Franklin broke down the middle of the ice, passed it over to Will Sleeper on the right side of the triangle and he swept one right to the stick of Doane for the 2-0 lead.

“The linemates all helped me there,” said a humble Doane. “I didn’t do anything. I can’t take any credit.”

Jimmy Haddad got Milton on the big board when he lifted a wrist shot over the glove hand of Connor Maher, but the Mustangs would see Nobles run away from them in the third period with four unanswered goals.

“We got four in a row and it takes a little of the momentum,” head coach Brian Day said.

Gilmour took a nice feed from Phillip Sciretta right up the middle of the ice and he scored on the breakaway to get the first goal of the third period. Franklin was quick to get back on the board for Nobles as he took the puck over the blue line and went shortside to beat Andreas Graham.

The puck movement for Nobles was crisp for most of the night, and Doane’s pass to a back-cutting Tim Boyle was evidence of that when Boyle snapped one in for the 5-1 lead.

Doane finished off the scoring with a shorthanded goal when he picked the pocket of Mustangs’ defenseman Rob O’Gara at center ice and finished with a shot past Graham.

“We got four goals and a couple of bounces that we were able to jump on,” Day said.

BYFIELD, Mass.- It wasn’t always pretty and it wasn’t always easy, but Governor’s Academy kept its hopes for an undefeated season alive Friday with a 29-10 victory over Milton Academy.

Governor’s Academy (7-0) started the game slow, failing to convert a 4th-and-5 from midfield. That gave Milton (3-4) good field position, and it took full advantage by driving down the field and converting a field goal to give them an early lead.

On the Govs next possession, it drove down inside the redzone, but the drive was stopped when quarterback Tate Jozokos was intercepted around the goal line, giving the momentum back to Milton.

The Govs swung the momentum back in their direction when they sacked Milton quarterback Anthony Scurto in the endzone for a safety.

Governor’s Academy finally got in the endzone when Jozokos capped off a five-minute drive late in the second quarter with a quarterback sneak to give his team an 8-3 lead. He redeemed his interception with 5 seconds remaining in the quarter when he took the ball from under center, ran a sweep to the left, and took it 35 yards down the sideline to put his team up two scores going into halftime.

“We only had 5 seconds and someone said, ‘Let’s throw the Hail Mary,’ and I said, ‘Ya know what? They’re going to be playing deep, and we have such a great running quarterback, I said if we just get around the corner with some blocks, he might take it in,” said Governor’s Academy coach Jim O’Leary. “He made a great move to get to the pylon and it was just huge, huge momentum for us. A big, big play.”

Milton was able to take advantage of a sluggish second half start by the Govs and drove down the field in 3 minutes for a touchdown. It appeared the tide might be turning when Milton picked off Jozokos again later in the quarter. However, Drew Jacobs fumbled on the first Milton offensive play after the fumble, giving the ball right back to Governor’s Academy.

They drove down the field and put the metaphorical exclamation point on the game with Jozokos’ third rushing touchdown of the afternoon.

Running back Elijah Morrissey contributed heavily on the ground for the Govs with 20 carries for 87 yards. Jozokos finished with 18 carries for 97 yards and the three touchdowns.

-- Governor’s Academy was dominant with both its run game and defense Friday. Jozokos only attempted seven passes through the air, two of which were intercepted. While those two interceptions killed scoring opportunities, he knew he had to keep his head in the game. “Those set me back a little bit, but I knew I still had to lead the team,” he said. “As QB, you have to lead your team, so I was able to put them behind me with the support of my team. They told me I still got it, so with my team’s support, I knew I could bounce back.”

-- With the inclement weekend weather effecting much of Massachusetts into the early parts of the week, many schools were without power, which forced cancellations. Jozokos felt that those days away from school and ultimately, the practice field, may have contributed to the Govs sluggish start Friday. “With the power outage, we really only had one full practice and then a walk-through,” he said. “With those two days off, our guys weren’t really into it, so we didn’t get into the emotion and the momentum going into this game. I think it took us a little bit to get into the game. I think not having a full week of practice was the main reason we didn’t come out so hot.”

-- With the victory, the Govs are set for a showdown next weekend with also undefeated Belmont Hill. The winner of that game will stand alone atop the Independent School League at the end of the regular season. The gravity of the game is not lost on the players, nor the coaches. “You try not to look ahead each week, we play one game at a time, but it’s always in the back of your mind,” said O’Leary. “We’re looking forward to it. It’s here, but I’m sure these guys will come to play. It’s a tough challenge for us, this year Belmont Hill was picked to be the best, they came through undefeated, so it’s going to be a showdown, but that’s what we’ve been waiting for.”

“Obviously Belmont Hill is an unbelievable team,” said Jozokos. “It’s definitely going to be a big matchup. We’ve been looking forward to it all season long. We know we have to come ready to play from the first snap, so we’ll get ready this week because it’s a big game for the Super Bowl, so we’ll be ready for a dogfight.”

GOVERNORS ACADEMY 29, MILTON ACADEMY 10
GOV (7-0) - 2 12 7 8 -- 29
MILTON (3-4) - 3 0 7 0 -- 10

1st quarter
M - Justin Yoon 46-yard field goal
G - Safety

2nd quarter
G - Tate Jozokos 2-yard run (2-point conversion failed)
G - Jozokos 35-yard run (2-pt conversion failed)

3rd quarter
M - Drew Jacobs 12-yard run (Yoon kick good)
G - Jozokos 1-yard run (Colin Smith kick good)

4th quarter
G - Samuel Davis 6-yard run (2-point conversion good)

MILTON, Mass. -- Oftentimes bad weather football games are decided by intangibles; things such as ball control can be the difference between wins and losses.

Belmont Hill didn’t necessarily adhere to that credo of protecting the ball for long stretches of Saturday’s game played in monsoon rains at Milton Academy, but the Hillies held onto the ball when it mattered most in a clock-killing fourth-quarter drive.

The Hillies ran their record to 6-0 with a 10-3 victory over the Mustangs, but Belmont Hill head coach Kevin Fleming was still felt unfulfilled.

“I’d like to see us put in a true four-quarter effort,” said Fleming, who’s in his last season at the Hillies’ helm after 21 years. “I don’t think we’ve really put a complete game together yet.”

Belmont Hill fumbled five times losing four during the first half.

Milton Academy (3-3) took the first lead of the game with freshman Justin Yoon’s 40-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. That lead didn’t last long however, as the Hillies responded scoring the only touchdown of the contest on a 50-yard connection from Connor Murphy to Matt Gustafson minutes later.

“They were running a Cover-3, so we came out with the four [verticals], Coach [Curt] Oberg called that one,” Murphy said. “I saw the safety shift off to the right side and I hit him wide open. I don’t think he had to break a tackle and got in the end zone. That was a huge momentum shift for us, obviously.”

The Hillies added to their lead on George McLaughlin’s 23-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter.

COMING OUT STRONG
Belmont Hill’s lackadaisical start Saturday resembled that of their season opener at BB&N.

Thankfully, for the Hillies, both of those mud bowl games resulted in victories, but it’s a trend Murphy’s looking to correct.

“In the BB&N game we came out flat again and we came out in the second half and won and it was the same today. We just believe in our defense. They held them to three points today. Our defense has been great and our offense finds a way to get into the end zone. “

FINISHING STRONG
For all the ball control problems the Hillies had early on, equally as impressive was their ability to hang onto the ball during their game-sealing drive to run out the clock in the fourth quarter.

With under three minutes remaining, the Hillies forced a turnover on downs after Mustangs quarterback Anthony Scurto’s rush on fourth and five came up half a yard short. Taking over on their own 8-yard line, Belmont Hill pounded the ball behind running back George McLaughlin, exhausting all of the Mustang’s timeouts and bleeding the clock dry.

And it all came down to the Hillies’ ability to control the line of scrimmage.

“We have two senior captains on the left side, with Parker [Mundt] and [Robert] Perdoni, they’ve been great,” Murphy said. “Our fullback Goose [Gustafson] has been opening holes up for George [McLaughlin] and obviously he’s run the ball great and he came up huge for us on that last drive.”

Milton Acad. (3-3) 0 3 0 0 -- 3
Belmont Hill (6-0) 0 7 3 0 -- 10

2nd quarter
M – Justin Yoon 40-yard field goal
BH – Matt Gustafson 50-yard pass from Connor Murphy (George McLaughlin kick)

3rd quarter
BH – McLaughlin 23-yard field goal

NATICK (6-1) at No. 16 NEEDHAM (6-1)
The Skinny: The Red & Blue would like nothing better than to score their second win over a Bay State Carey power after dispatching Weymouth two weeks ago. Natick's led by a young, but talented duo with Troy Flutie throwing darts in the direction of freshman sensation wideout Brian Dunlap. Meanwhile, sophomore Ryan Charter filled in admirably last week for injured quarterback Drew Burnett in a win over Walpole, proving that Needham's here to stay.

Scott Barboza: This young, upstart Natick offense will apply pressure on the Rockets' D, but too much for Needham on offense. Needham, 31-27.

Brendan Hall: Doesn’t matter if Johnny Utah’s under center, I guess. Somebody named Riley’s gonna make plays. Needham, 28-20.

WESTFORD ACADEMY (4-3) at No. 13 LINCOLN-SUDBURY (7-0)
The Skinny: The Warriors have been pegged as the team to beat in the Dual County League Large, but haven't exactly faced a Murderer's Row of a schedule thus far. Their first legitimate test comes in the form of this key divisional battle against the Grey Ghosts and L-S will have its hands full with a potent running attack led by Alex Eaton. The Warriors have their own horses in the backfield with a talented troika of backs, including Chris Giorgio, Jack Harris and Brian Carroll.

Barboza: I think the Warriors will get a run for their money, but I think their depth on offense prevails. L-S, 28-20.

Hall: I’m feeling lucky this week. I also think the Grey Ghosts are more battle-tested. Westford, 38-31.

LOWELL (5-2) at No. 20 BILLERICA (6-1)
The Skinny: This is among the first of many head-to-head matchups that will dictate how the Merrimack Valley Large is decided. The Red Raiders are reeling a little bit after an upstart Tewksbury team claimed a victory over a MVC Large opponent for the third time this season. Meanwhile, BIllerica continues to build momentum with five straight wins following their loss to Woburn. However, the Indians had to escape an upset-minded Haverhill team last week, with Nick LaSpada again working magic to lift the Indians to a victory in overtime.

Barboza: One of the stories of the year to me is how this Billerica defense, which was consistently torched last year, has bounced back this year. The Indians are leading the MVC Large in points against thus far. Billerica, 21-14.

Hall: The only way the Indians know how to win these days, it seems, is in dramatic fashion. Billerica, 23-20.

LEOMINSTER (4-3) at BROCKTON (4-3)
The Skinny: These are two teams who stumbled out of the gates, but have picked themselves up nicely of late. Dave Palazzi's Blue Devils rebounded from an 0-3 start with four straight wins while the Boxers have won three straight, including an upset of top-ranked New Hampshire side, Pinkerton Academy. Both teams are led by young quarterbacks as well with Austin Roberts taking over for Paul Mroz at Brockton and Leominster spread attack has come under the direction of junior signal-caller Garrett DelleChiaie.

Barboza: My grandparents like in Leominster for a bit back in the '50s, so I guess somewhat have family roots there. Leominster, 27-21.

Hall: Because back in the Plastic City, they still celebrate the anniversary of knocking off USA Today’s No. 1 team back in 1988. Leominster, 20-7.

BARNSTABLE (4-3) at No. 11 MANSFIELD (6-1)
The Skinny: This might be the most intriguing non-league matchup of the late season. These teams have much in common in that both like to stretch the field by going sideline to sideline with a vast array of screen passes. Don't be mislead, however, these teams can run North and South as well with the Hornets' Greg Donahue and the Red Raiders' Theo France capable of kicking up chunk of turf with hard-nosed running. These teams also feature two of the most underrated linebackers in the state with Barnstable's Andrew Ellis and Mansfield's Zach Schafer going at it.

Barboza: I was going to go with Barnstable in the upset, but the Hornets have regained the ability to close big games out at the end. Mansfield, 30-27.

Hall: Fear the other visor. Barnstable, 35-28.

ST. JOHN'S OF SHREWSBURY (4-3) at No. 8 XAVERIAN (4-3)
The Skinny: Both teams are looking to snap recent losing skids with the Pioneers dealt their second straight loss by Leominster last week. The Hawks are on a three-game losing streak, but, to be fair, the losses have come against the state's very best with defeats to the top three teams in our statewide poll.

Barboza: Quite simply, the Hawks will control the point of attack all day long. Xaverian, 24-17.

Hall: I think whoever moves the ball better on the ground wins this one. For St. John’s, that doesn’t bode well, considering who they’ll be lining up against when they have the ball. Xaverian, 20-13.

READING (4-3) AT WOBURN (3-3)
The Skinny: Reading stumbled out of the gates to start the season, with a surprise upset at the hands of Lawrence followed by losses to North Andover and Melrose sandwiched around a shutout of Arlington. But in Middlesex play, they’ve been quite alright – in three Large division games, they’ve recorded two shutouts and outscored the opposition 120-7. Woburn, after a 1-3 start, has won two straight thanks to six Chucky Ortiz touchdowns in the last eight quarters.

Barboza: I'm going with the new guard in an ole-fashioned slobber-knocker. Woburn, 14-7.

Hall: I truly believe Chucky Ortiz is one of the state’s most underrated players. But John Fiore knows how to dial up a good run defense – just ask Burlington. Reading, 18-15.

NO. 24 HOLLISTON (5-1) AT MILLIS/HOPEDALE (7-0)
The Skinny: The undefeated Mohawks are in the driver’s seat in the Tri-Valley League Small thanks to one of the state’s stingiest defenses (4.9 points per game). Millis/Hopedale has never allowed an opponent to score more than once, has recorded two shutouts, and allowed just two rushing touchdowns in the last 12 quarters. But the Panthers merely came out last week and drove up and down on previous unbeaten Hopkinton, led by quarterback Dan Barone’s 217 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-0 shutout.

Barboza: Barone and Frechett are too much for the Mohawks to contain. Holliston, 34-24.

Hall: I don’t know what’s the more impressive victory so far in the TVL – Millis beating Westwood 12-7, or Holliston going double-wing on Hopkinton and shutting them out – but the Panthers are the academy of this league until further notice (or until next week’s trip to Medway). Holliston, 30-14.

BELMONT HILL (5-0) AT MILTON ACADEMY (3-2)
The Skinny: Are the Hillers for real? We’re about to find out, in one of the most anticipated games of the ISL season. Outside of a 35-0 win over Nobles, the Hillers aren’t lighting up the scoreboard, but they’ve also had an extra week to prepare thanks to a Brooks forfeit last week. Milton, meanwhile, has been somewhat feast or famine so far, averaging 33 points in wins but allowing an average of 25 in losses.

Barboza: This Milton Academy team will be good for a few years to come, but this the Hillers' year. Belmont Hill, 24-21.

Hall: Year in and year out, Kevin MacDonald always has one of the ISL’s most consistent offensive lines. Look into his coaching history, and you’ll see that’s no accident. Milton, 17-14.

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- From Long Island to Milton and now the Boston Bruins, it's been a dizzying year for Milton Academy defenseman Rob O'Gara. In his first year with the Mustangs, O'Gara had nine points in 30 games as they took home a NEPSAC championship.

After getting selected in the fourth round (151st overall) by the Bruins last month, O'Gara is in the team's development camp this week at Ristuccia Arena. Following the first training session yesterday, Bruins assistant general manager Don Sweeney called him "a piece of clay right now, albeit it’s a big piece." And at 6-foot-4 and 197 pounds, having just turned 18 two days ago, and getting set for his final year of eligibility with the Mustangs before heading off to Yale in the fall of 2012, there's seemingly nowhere to go but up for the wide-eyed prospect.

O'Gara sat down with ESPNBoston.com following day two of camp to talk about his development, being part of the Stanley Cup champs' organization, and life back home on Long Island.

Q: You're from Nesconset, New York. How did you end up at Milton?
A: "Last summer, probably this time last summer, my coach [Paul] Cannata called me and asked if I was interested in the school. We weren't really sure, you know, financially, stuff like that. We looked into it, I applied, and it's just been a whirlwind since. It's been great."

Q: Tell us about your development over the last year at school.
A: "I think starting, I remember my numbers in the fall when we do training with our school. My numbers were crap to be honest. Just to see them go up, just the hard work, and then all that happened at school with the team and everything, it's just been incredible. I've learned so much as a player. Being able to go and skate against these guys now, it's a big stepping stone."

Q: More specifically, what kind of training were you doing that last fall?
A: "A lot of mobility. My hips were really tight coming in, and just stretching, cleans, all the power stuff, we really focused on that. That's where we tested."

Q: How would you say you progressed during the season as a player?
A: "I think being able to adapt to the role I had on the team, I'd say we had four very offensive defensemen besides me, and I think I was able to fit the role being more of a defensive style of player. I think I really progressed that side of my game a lot. I tried to get better each and every game."

Q: Getting ready for the game, some guys like to relax, others get focused. Take us through your pregame routine.
A: "I like to get to the rink at least two hours before the game. I put on my iPod, and for the first hour we'll kick around the soccer ball and stuff. We usually have a team meeting an hour before the game, then after that I just stretch, I focus, I kind of keep to myself, really think about what I have to do for the team to win."

Q: What kind of music is on that iPod?
A: "I'm all over the place, to be honest. I like the classic rock, from my dad, but I'm into the hip-hop, rap stuff too. I like Drake, to be honest, I don't know why...Actually, I'll tell you, my roommate at school is a huge Drake guy. So whenever I'd come into the room he'd be listening to that. So, I guess I got accustomed to that and started to like it."

Q: What kind of goals have you set for yourself for the rest of the summer and the fall?
A: "This summer I'm going to be skating with Aleksey [Nikiforov], he's a skating coach on Long Island [in Hauppauge]. He's got a couple professionals with him. Just keep progressing, skating with high competition, getting to the gym as much as I can, get bigger. I want to be at least 205 by the time I get back to school, and hopefully by next September I'll be 220, I'll fill out but keep my mobility and stuff like that."

Q: You're an Islanders fan. But what's it like being in this locker room?
A: "Actually, being near Boston, there's a ton of Bruins fans at school. So through the playoff run, it was hard not to root for the Bruins, it was the buzz around campus. It was an amazing run they had, just great to watch and really get behind. And then to get picked by them is such an honor, so incredible."

Q: There's not exactly star power here, but when you first got on the ice yesterday, did you find yourself star struck at all?
A: "Sure, I mean just stepping out and taking a few laps, and telling yourself, 'I'm here'. But I've just got to focus, and I think I did a pretty good job of that yesterday."

Q: Have you had a chance to speak with Vice President Cam Neely yet?
A: "No, not yet, but that would be incredible (laughs)."

Q: Big Neely fan growing up?
A: "Oh yeah. My dad showed me all the videos he had, just watching Neely and all that old-time hockey. It was great stuff."

Q: Back on Long Island, what's the best beach?
A: "Back on Long Island, I go to Robert Moses. There's a Par-3 there, and I love golfing. Just going with friends, it's a good time."

Q: What's the best place to eat in Suffolk County?
A: "I'm a big bagel guy. The best bagel store on Long Island is this place 'Hot Bagels' in Hauppauge, by my grandpa's house. It's about 20 minutes from my house. My dad refuses to go anywhere else, so he drives 20 minutes Saturday mornings to go grab some bagels."