HS Football Power Rankings: Doherty Shows it Can Play With Anybody

Monday, November 12, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Doherty linebacker/tight end Noah Robinson has helped the Highlanders enjoy a special season this year.

Following a huge win over Shepherd Hill, suddenly Doherty has put everyone, including Division II favorite Nashoba, on notice. The Highlanders pulled out a dramatic 32-28 win over the Rams Friday, and they played Nashoba to a tough 28-21 loss earlier this season. Up until this point, it was a foregone conclusion that Nashoba would win Division II, but it now appears Doherty has what it takes to unseat the Chieftains.

As for the rest of our Power Rankings, you can check them out below:

1. Auburn (10-0, 4-0 SWCL A) Last Week: 1

Auburn rolled over Westborough 46-7 and star running back Tyler Desjardins scored four more total touchdowns for the Rockets. This year’s Auburn team may go down as one of the best in the history of Central Mass, and, to keep you posted on their dominance, they have now outscored their last seven opponents 247-27. Only a Thanksgiving Day game against Oxford stands between the Rockets and a perfect regular season.

2. Nashoba (10-0, 4-0 Mid-Wach B) Last Week:2

Nashoba beat down on Oakmont 44-0 last week and, has beaten its last two opponents by an average of 43 points after a close one against Doherty. The Chieftains will now get to relax until a Thanksgiving Day showdown with North Middlesex.

3. Doherty (8-2, 2-0 Inter-High) Last Week: 4

The Highlanders continued to impress with a close win over last week’s No. 3 Shepherd Hill. Doherty may have the most balanced offense in the region, with quarterback Luke Brennan airing it out and Abdullah Webster pounding it on the ground.

4. Shrewsbury (8-2, 2-1 Mid-Wach A) Last Week: 5

Shrewsbury kept the momentum from its big win over Leominster two weeks ago as it easily defeated league foe Algonquin 41-6. The Colonials are suddenly the favorite in Division I with quarterback Mike Coggeshall and receiver Ryan Dube forming one of the most formidable combinations in Central Mass.

5. Wachusett (7-3, 4-0 Mid-Wach A) Last Week: 7

Wachusett would be a clear No. 3 right now if it would have just taken care of business against Westborough a couple weeks back. Still, the Mountaineers have beaten Division I powers Leominster and Shrewsbury, and run the ball with brutal efficiency behind a great offensive line. They just need to be more consistent.

6. Shepherd Hill (8-2, 3-1 SWCL A) Last Week: 3

The Rams lossed a close one at Doherty this week, but it’s hard to drop them too far. Shepherd Hill still has one of the best, and most versatile, ground games in the region, and when you’re only two losses are to Auburn and Doherty, it’s not like either one of those is a bad defeat.

7. Leominster (6-4, 1-2 Mid-Wach A) Last Week: 9

The Blue Devils are probably still playing the “what if?” game after their close loss at Shrewsbury two weeks ago. Still, they didn’t play like it Friday night as they dispatched of Marlborough 42-20. The reigning Division I Super Bowl champs are still very much alive, and it would be foolish to count them out now.

8. Northbridge (8-2, 3-2 SWCL A) Last Week: 6

Quarterback Matt Phelan continues to make plays for the Rams, and Northbridge easily defeated Millbury behind his four total touchdowns. Next up is Uxbridge on Thanksgiving Day, and it is hard to see anybody other than Grafton giving the Rams much of a game in the Division IV playoffs.

9. Tyngsborough (10-0, 5-0 Mid-Wach C) Last Week: 8

At first the Tigers were on here merely as a nod to their unbeaten record, but Tyngsborough has proven that it belongs in recent weeks. Double-digit wins against dangerous Clinton and Quabbin squads, followed by a shutout of Narragansett has the Tigers poised for a perfect season as they head to a Thanksgiving Day showdown with….

10. Groton-Dunstable (9-1, 5-0 Mid-Wach C) Last Week: 10

Groton-Dunstable put itself on the map a few weeks back with a blowout of Littleton, and the Crusaders haven’t looked back. Thanksgiving Day they host the Tigers in matchup that will likely define both teams’ regular seasons.

In the Hunt: St. John's (6-4), Bay Path (9-1), Blackston Valley Tech (9-1), West Boylston (9-1).

St. John’s has now won two in a row, and suddenly look like a team that can win Division I. Meanwhile, Bay Path, BVT and West Boylston all took care of business to control their playoff destinies.