Want Into MIAA Playoffs? It May Come Down To Friday Night

Malden will forfeit its game against Everett Friday, Mashpee has a state best 26-game win streak, and as the MIAA playoff lineup takes shape there's only one team in the state scoring 40 ppg, the Spartans of Stoneham. Pick your headline as the state's football teams head into the final weekend before the MIAA sits down Sunday afternoon and sets up the field for the race to Gillette Stadium and the high school Super Bowls on Dec. 1.

Here's a look at area games this weekend.

Whittier (3-3) at Northeast (4-2), 6 p.m. -- With its win over Shawsheen, the Golden Knights propelled themselves into the No. 4 spot in the Division 6 North ratings, meaning a first round home game if they can beat Whittier. Northeast scores a lot (30 ppg), while Whittier gives up a lot (31.2).

Newburyport (4-2) at North Reading (4-2), 7 -- The Cape Ann Kinney title is up for grabs with both teams 2-1 in the league. Both are also in the playoffs now but the Hornets could finish out of the playoffs with a loss (and a Wilmington upset of Stoneham), or earn a home game with a win. Will O'Leary is third in scoring in Division 4 while quarterback Matt Solecki is third in TD passes with 10.

Stoneham (6-0) at Wilmington (3-3), 7 -- The time-consuming power running game of the Spartans chews up the clock. It's a big reason Stoneham allows the fewest points in the Middlesex at 12.5 ppg. Christos Argyropoulos has 16 TDs this fall and is one of two players in EMass with 100 or more points (102).

Wakefield (1-5) at Watertown (1-5), 7 -- Hard to imagine but with a win Watertown could make the MIAA playoff field in Division 5. Wakefield is No. 10 in the Division 4 ratings and will sit out the postseason.

Winchester (4-2) at Reading (5-1), 7 -- The Sachems beat Reading last year for the first time since 2007. Does anyone think that subject has come up this week at the Rockets' practice? Reading appears cemented into the No. 3 spot in Division 2 and will face the No. 6 seed, which is any one of five teams heading into weekend. Sitting at No. 5 in the Division 3 ratings, Winchester has a shot at a home game if it beats Reading.

St. John Paul II (5-1) at Austin Prep (3-3), 7 -- After an 0-2 start the Cougars are playing their best football in years. AP is one of five teams that is 3-3 in the crowded Division 6 ratings but on the outside at No. 11 heading into this one. A win and they're in. A loss and they're out.

Lynnfield (1-5) at Hamilton-Wenham (4-2) Sat., 1 -- The struggling Pioneers are still sitting at No. 8 in the Division 6 ratings and with a Saturday game, Lynnfield will know if it has a playoff shot at kickoff. Triton (No. 9) and Somerville (No. 11) should lose Friday. The question is No. 10 Watertown, which plays a very winnable game against Wakefield.