With Week 1 Of HS Football In the Books, What Did We Learn?

Across the state high school football fans want to know after opening week, is my team really that good? Is my team really that bad?

With the lights on in Winchester, are the Sachems better when the sun goes down? The 26-21 win over Newton South at Knowlton Stadium last Friday might suggest that. More evidence comes Friday in the form of Wakefield, which opened with a 37-16 loss to Reading last week. For new Warrior coach John Rafferty, it wasn't the opening he hoped for. Playing without injured senior running back Dan Marinaccio, Wakefield was forced to use freshman Aidan Sweeney in the backfield and he responded with 43 difficult yards. Senior quarterback Mike Lucey had two fourth-quarter touchdown passes for Wakefield.

Winchester was led by quarterback Tony Fiorentino, who was 13 of 17 for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Can the Sachems make it two straight under the lights? We'll find out Friday.

Reading fans may be wondering how good their team is as well. A home game Friday against Acton-Boxboro will help answer that question. Last week the Colonials blanked Chelmsford, 28-0.

Elsewhere in the area, more questions will be answered in Week 2 of the high school football season.

Lynnfield at Wayland, 7 -- The Pioneers stumbled against Newburyport in Week 1, falling 15-13. Wayland can't feel good after losing to Hopkinton, 20-0. Can you imagine Lynnfield starting 0-2? Neither can we.

Stoneham at Arlington, 7 -- The Spy Ponders hammered Cambridge last week, 37-0, while Stoneham beat Archbishop Williams, 40-13. Arlington had four interceptions against Cambridge but Stoneham would be perfectly happy sticking to the ground game led by Christo Argyropoulos.

Greater Lawrence at Austin Prep, 7 -- The Cougars lost to Salem, 25-6, and a matchup with Greater Lawrence won't be easy. The Reggies lost to Swampscott last week, 21-20. AP hasn't won at home since 2016.

Saugus at Northeast, 6 -- The Golden Knights face a Saugus team that has been dealing with the suspension of head coach Anthony Nalen for issues surrounding preseason practice. Nalen is expected back Friday after missing his team's 30-12 loss to Amesbury. Northeast lost to North Reading, 37-14 last week.

North Reading at Hamilton-Wenham, Saturday at 1 -- The Generals are coming off a 28-0 loss to Bishop Fenwick while the Hornets put up 37 points in beating Northeast. North Reading hopes to continue its offensive success led by the combination of QB Matt Solecki and WR Alex D'Ambrosio. This is North Reading's only Saturday game of the season and the first of three straight on the road.