Stoneham Will Find Out If Red Devils Are For Real

The Halloween gear started appearing in stores long ago, but it's a little early to be afraid of a Red Devil. Or is it?

Burlington (2-0) travels to Stoneham (Friday at 6:30 p.m.) for a Middlesex Freedom contest with twice as many wins this year as it had all last season when the Red Devils finished 1-10. With wins over Bedford and Woburn, Burlington looks dramatically different this season, scoring more (32 ppg vs. 15.5 last fall) and allowing less (24.5 ppg vs. 32.6 last fall). In addition, the Red Devils return 10 defensive starters and nine on offense. Running back Jake Doherty leads all of Division 4 with 38 points, including six touchdowns.

Stoneham beat Burlington, 37-0, last fall, and is 2-0 after wins over Archbishop Williams (40-13) and Arlington (34-21). Christos Argyropoulos is fourth in scoring in Division 6 with four touchdowns. Seth Russell is close behind with three touchdowns.

The Spartans game with surprising Burlington is just one of many interesting matchups. Here's a look at other area games this weekend, which includes the start of the season for NEPSAC schools:

Lexington (1-1) at Reading (1-1), 7 — Remember that sigh of relief when Lexington's All-Scholastic quarterback Sal Frelick graduated? Maybe it's too early to relax. Lexington quarterback Anthony Bianchi ran for 122 yards and four touchdowns in last week's win over Concord-Carlisle. Reading will need to clean up the numerous mistakes it made in loss to A-B if it wants to beat the Minutemen.

Winchester (2-0) at Arlington (1-1), 7 — The Sachems can equal their 2017 win total with a victory at Arlington. QB Tony Fiorentino is tied for fifth in TD passes in Division 3 after two weeks.

Wilmington (2-0) at Wakefield (0-2), 7 — The Warriors' defensive backs will be challenged by one of the top quarterbacks in Division 4 in Andrew Sullivan (4 TD passes). This is the first of four straight home games for Wakefield.

North Reading (1-1) at Bedford (0-2), 7 — The Hornets will have to keep an eye on Brendan Jones, tied for the Division 5 scoring lead with four touchdowns. Bedford, on the other hand, knows exactly what to watch for. The Matt Solecki to Alex D'Ambrosio combo has already connected for three touchdowns.

Lynnfield (0-2) at Amesbury (2-0), 7 — Is this the same Indians' team that finished 2-9 last year and averaged just 14 ppg? The answer is yes and the Pioneers are in for a fight Friday if they want to avoid an 0-3 start.

Austin Prep (0-2) at Matignon/St. Joseph (2-0), Sat., 2 — The Cougars are averaging 6 ppg on offense while the Matignon defense has been the best in the Catholic Central after two weeks. Not a good combination for AP.

Roxbury Prep (1-1) at Northeast (1-1), Sat., 10:30 — Connor Joseph (4 TDs) looks to have a big game for the Golden Knights. Roxbury coming off a 36-12 win over KIPP Academy.