It's Trophy Time For Stoneham Football

As it has all season, it starts with junior center Michael Driscoll.

Driscoll hikes the football to quarterback Deshaun Chase and the fun begins. Chase, Seth Russell and Christos Argyropoulos all take turns running the ball and terrorizing opposing defenses. Stoneham's offense is simple, straight-forward, and near impossible to stop to the tune of a state best 42.3 ppg. And once a game, Chase will step back and fire. In each of the last three games Stoneham has thrown one pass. The result has been two touchdowns and a 65-yard completion to set up another score.

Friday at 6:30 p.m. the Spartans host Hamilton-Wenham in the MIAA Division 6 North title game. The Generals slowed the Stoneham attack in last year's title game when the Spartans prevailed 20-18. The roles will be reversed Friday with Stoneham coming in undefeated at 9-0 and H-W with two losses at 7-2.

The winner will face the Central champion in a state semifinal next weekend. The Central title will be decided Saturday between 2017 Super Bowl finalist Littleton and Blackstone-Millville.

But while Stoneham chases a dream, other area schools continue with their schedules as Thanksgving approaches. Here's a look at the weekend:

Methuen (6-3) at Reading (7-2), 7 p.m. -- The Rockets must be still hurting after last week's loss to L-S but here's a guess John Fiore will have his team playing hard and win at home. Is it too early to say bring on Stoneham?

Wilmington (3-6) at Winchester (4-5), 7 -- Despite five losses in the last six games, a 6-5 record is within reach for the Sachems and it starts with a win over Middlesex rival Wilmington. Then it's on to Thanksgiving and Woburn.

Somerville (2-7) at North Reading (5-4), 7 --After back-to-back losses the Hornets would love to end the year strong with wins over Somerville followed by Thanksgiving and Lynnfield.

Lynnfield (2-7) at Salem (5-4), 7 -- The Witches are having a good season and with two more wins can equal last season's mark of 7-4.

Boston Latin (0-9) at Wakefield (2-7), 7 -- The Wolfpack's record is often deceiving because they're a city school that plays in the powerhouse Dual County League.

Manchester Essex (2-5) at Austin Prep (4-5), 6 -- Coach Bill Maradei's last home game should be enough to bring out a good crowd Friday.

Greater Lowell (7-2) at Northeast (6-3), Sat., 10:30 a.m. -- One of the better games of the day, and a match-up of Commonwealth Conference rivals. The Gryphons have won five of their last six games. Zach Sanderson continues to lead Northeast with 112 points this fall.