Peter's Pigskin Picks

If you didn’t vote yesterday, please don’t complain for the next four years. It is what it is. Let’s go back to the 2013 state Super Bowl format that was discussed here last week. There will be six divisional state Super Bowls in 2013. However, there will not be a true state champion. Central Mass will have no representation in Divisions 1 or 3. It’s crystal clear that Division 1 is the best division in any sport. That is why it is called Division 1. Granted, this doesn’t mean the best team comes out of Division 1 all the time. A team like Auburn in Division 3 could have been the best team in the state two years ago. Central Mass will not have a Division 1 state Super Bowl representative in 2013. Neither will Western Mass.Therefore, the Division 1 Super Bowl winner in 2013 will be called the Division 1 Eastern Mass champ because it will be a playoff of only Eastern Mass Division 1 teams.

OK, enough of the MIAA. Let’s get into the moment and talk November football in our area. As mentioned a few weeks ago, Shepherd Hill and Bay Path have secured their spot in the playoffs in Division 2 and 6 respectively. The hometown Bartlett Indians have to win their remaining two games and hope other teams lose in Division 5 to keep the Indians alive in the power rankings. Another reminder to the Lake Parkway eleven. Just beat Southbridge. Playoff thoughts should be banned from the green and white program until they beat the Spectowners.

Speaking of Southbridge, there was a "little giant" sighting on Halloween night. The little giant, aka Ron Donais, was seen trick or treating on Ray Street by the PAV and then again in Dudley at Coaches Corner.n Is it true Neddie dressed up as Mingo Marino and won the local Halloween costume contest? OK, enough of the Halloween stuff.

Tip of the hat to former Shepherd Hill football standout Nick Bolio for finishing his Assumption homefield grid career with a great game against Pace as he rushed for over 100 yards and scored a touchdown.

Shepherd Hill football coach Chris Lindstrom can take a bow for his recognized good sportsmanship against Oxford on Friday night. Matt Morway of AM 940 WGFP said, "Lindstrom kept his finger on the control button all game and deserves credit for his display of good sportsmanship." Ditto for the entire Oxford football program for continuing to prepare week in and week out during their rebuilding phase.

They should do a documentary on how the Bay Path football program prepares for a game or even better, a season. They did it again up there on Mugget Hill. They knocked off another unbeaten team last Saturday in the name of Blackstone Valley Tech.

The Oxford Insurance Agency Player of the Week goes to Shepherd Hill running back Brian Picard for his performance against Oxford in a 30-7 victory for the visiting Rams.

The Oxford Insurance Agency Lineman of the Week went to Oxford’s Liam Pickett for his outstanding defensive game against Shepherd Hill on Friday night. Congratulations to both players.

The Oxford Insurance Agency Game of the Week will have Bartlett traveling to Worcester South’s home field at Foley Stadium on Chandler Street on Saturday for a 3 p.m. kickoff. Please join Matt Morway and Pete Geanis for all the action. Pre game is at 2:45 p.m. on AM 940 WGFP.

Shepherd Hill (8-1) over Doherty (8-1) at Foley Stadium Friday 7p.m. on WGFP AM 940 pregame 6:45 p.m.

These two teams will play again in the playoff game in Division 2 no matter who wins or loses on Friday night. Doherty is fast, big, strong, and tough. Shepherd Hill has to snap their chin straps as tight as they can and show up in the city ready to play. Doherty knows how to shut down the double wing as they beat Holy Name earlier this year. Shepherd Hill has been resilient in their weeks after the Auburn revenge #41 game. Should be a black and blue game in Worcester on Friday night.

Bartlett (4-5) over South (3-6) at Foley Stadium

Bartlett can go undefeated in November and let Lady Destiny control the power rankings in Division 5. "When was the last time Bartlett beat Southbridge?" an oldtimer from Webster asked me last week. "I don’t know," I answered. I then tried to guess and I was clueless. It’s got to be at least four years going back to the Chris Nasis coaching era or even more. I hope someone on this current Indian team can straighten me out on this question so I can get back to the old timer. It seemed real important that he gets the answer about this Southbridge streak. He said, "it was all about eating turkey." Are the Indians in a seventies trend for this rivalry?

Bay Path (8-1) over Assabet (6-3) on Mugget Hill Saturday noon

I never put my Bay Path pom-poms down. They are my favorite. How about the 13-12 victory over unbeaten Blackstone Valley Tech last Saturday by the purple and gold of Mugget Hill? Talk about big, big wins. Coach Al Dhembe and his entire staff and program keep on showing all of us why they are the most consistent football program in the state over the last 20 years. Block, tackle, work ethic, and tradition. Be careful this week all you Minutemen because Assabet is good enough and could catch you reading your press clippings from the Blackstone victory. An Assabet letdown this late in the season would be awful.

Leicester(7-2) over Oxford (1-8) at Leicester Friday 7p.m.

Let’s face it. The Pirates’ 2012 season is a voyage in the Perfect Storm and Hurricane Sandy. Oxford is a rebuiding project and they put their dukes up and fight every week, but 2012 is a major learning experience. Facing adversity every week develops character and these Pirates are winning within themselves despite their record. A tip of the hat goes out to these Pirates. We have all been there at some point. They need a lot of love considering their circumstance.

Last Week: 6-0 Overall 42-9