Hall of Fame boxer Michael Spinks is credited with saying “somebody’s 0 has got to go.”
That will be the case Friday night at Memorial Field in Needham where the Rockets host Weymouth in a Bay State Conference battle of unbeaten teams. Not only are BSC bragging rights on the line, a chance to bolster their power rankings factors in here as Needham is currently ranked fifth in Div. 1, while Weymouth checks in at No. 11.
“Everyone here is absolutely excited about the game,” said Needham coach Doug Kopsco. “Weymouth has a great coach, a great staff and their players are tough and athletic kids who fly around the field and present a lot of problems. In a lot of ways, they do a lot of things that we try to preach here.”
Needham (6-0) earned its spurs last year when it took eventual state champion Xaverian to the wire in the state semifinals. Lehigh commit Aidan Williams has taken over as the featured back, Will McDonald (Army commit) anchors a stout defensive line, while Charlie Simeone (Holy Cross) does the same for the offensive line.
“They have three Div. 1 commits and they are all excellent players,” said Weymouth coach Mike Donovan, whose team is also 6-0. “They have a bunch of talented seniors who play a physical brand of football. Their coaches do an awesome job and they are clearly one of the best teams in the state.”
Weymouth has relied on several different players to get the job done. In last week’s 42-6 win over Framingham, Tyler Munchbach emerged as the star as he rushed for three scores, including a 63-yard scamper. Donovan lauds the unselfishness his team displays.
“This group of kids worked hard all summer to get ready for the season,” Donivan said. “They come to practice every single day ready to compete. When your senior players are your best players and hardest workers at practice, that really helps.”
That isn’t the only game of note in the Bay State Conference Friday. Natick and Wellesley meet in a battle of 5-1 teams, both ranked among the top 10 in their divisions in the latest MIAA rankings.
In the Middlesex League Liberty, Arlington is No. 12 in Div. 2, but has a chance to move up when they travel to No. 6 Winchester.
Central Catholic is sitting in the eight spot in Div. 1 and faces a tough road test in Andover.
Other big games on the docket include Masconomet at Marblehead, Methuen at Tewksbury and North Attleboro at Mansfield.
There is the classic No. 1 vs. No. 2 as second-ranked Catholic Memorial hosts top dog St. John’s Prep Saturday afternoon. That isn’t the only big tilt on Saturday as Tabor looks to remain unbeaten when they take on a very good Belmont Hill team. Nashoba Tech puts its undefeated record on the line when it travels to Manning Field to face KIPP.