It's crunch time: Week 7 Gardner high school football preview and predictions
As it gets down to the final weeks of the high school football regular season, Gardner-area teams are still fighting to get wins and improve their programs.
Some are looking at playoff opportunities while others hope to finish out the season strong, regardless of their record.
Here's a look at what's head for local teams in Week 7.
Friday, October 20
Worcester Tech (0-6) at Monty Tech (2-4), 6 p.m.
Worcester Tech is still striving for a win this season but has struggled to make that happen. The Eagles started off the season putting up some decent battles, but recently have been unable to get anything going offensively. Worcester Tech has been shut out each of the last two weeks.
Monty Tech has not had the season it was hoping for, but may be able to snag another win against Worcester Tech. After two losses in a row, the Bulldogs stopped the skid with a win last week against Abby Kelley, 32-16.
Ryan Quinn rushed for two touchdowns and Sam Proctor rushed for another. Quarterback Dylan Huntoon threw for two scores as well, connecting with Art Walch and Aiden LeBlanc for a 21-yard and 35-yard touchdown pass, respectively.
Cait's Call: Monty Tech over Worcester Tech
More: Warrior mentality: Pineyro, Henderson key Narragansett rout of Ayer-Shirley
Maynard (5-1) at Oakmont (3-3), 7 p.m.
The Spartans have struggled against higher-level competition this year. At 3-3, they have also won some solid games -- against Marlborough, Boston Latin Academy and most recently, Groton-Dunstable.
Sam Curtis is Oakmont's core, a true field general as quarterback. Running back Harris Fagan is also having a solid season.
The 5-1 Maynard Tigers are seeing plenty of success this year. After losing Week 1 against Uxbridge, Maynard hasn't lost since.
Last week, Maynard defeated North Middlesex, 35-21. Tavin Hersh rushed for two touchdowns, and other scoring plays came from Kalvin Gomez, Harry McCarthy and Dylan Gallo. Gallo rushed for one and also threw for another.
Cait's Call: Maynard over Oakmont
Murdock (0-6) at Gardner (6-0), 7 p.m.
Murdock is still looking for its first win of the season and will be up for a big challenge against Gardner -- a 6-0 team. Murdock has struggled on both sides of the ball this season. Jordan Paris and Steven Gauthier are the focal point of Murdock's offense.
Gauthier rushed for two touchdowns in the Blue Devils last game against David Prouty, where they ultimately lost 48-14.
Gardner is having an amazing season, now 6-0 with all wins by at least 25 points.
In their most recent victory against Littleton, the Wildcats won 44-14. Ayden Sparrow rushed for 116 yards on 13 attempts, while Alex Figueroa threw for 139 yards on four completions.
Cait's Call: Gardner over Murdock
More: Dominance continues: Gardner High football blows past Littleton to improve to 6-0
Saturday, October 21
Quabbin (4-2) at Narragansett (4-2), 7 p.m.
Both Quabbin and Narragansett have had solid seasons, despite some tough losses at the start of the season. Both programs are standing at 4-2.
Quabbin is on a high, coming off three straight wins. The Panthers defeated Murdock (37-8), Ayer-Shirley (20-14) and most recently Oxford (28-20) to fight back from their 1-2 record.
Last week, Quabbin exploded in the second quarter, scoring 16 points after going down 6-0 in the first quarter.
Connor Breeds scored a touchdown on a 67-yard pass from Jaxon Warburton. Wes Sanderson and Luke Salvadore scored the other two touchdowns on runs.
Narragansett has seen similar success, but losing more recently in Week 5 to Bay Path -- a tough Colonial league competitor.
The Warriors had their best performance of the season so far in Week 6, defeating Ayer-Shirley, 42-14. Key player Joey Pineyro scored three touchdowns in the victory, and Corey Henderson ran for one and passed for one.
Cait's Call: Narragansett over Quabbin
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Week 7 Gardner high school football preview and predictions
