By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
Laconia (3-3) at Stevens (3-2): Friday at 7 p.m.
In this week’s most intriguing local contest, Laconia heads to Stevens for a key Division 3 matchup. With both teams at three wins on the season, this game has some serious implications on playoff seedings. While this game could go either way, I’m giving a slight edge to Laconia for enduring a more challenging schedule in the East region of Division 3.
Predicted winner: Laconia
Kearsarge (1-5) at Newport (4-1): Saturday at 2 p.m.
Coming off three straight dominant performances, Newport looks primed for another blowout victory when the 1-5 Kearsarge Cougars come to Maryn Field on Saturday. Newport has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 102-6 over the past three weeks, while Kearsarge is looking for its first win in over a month.
Predicted winner: Newport
Sanborn (0-6) at Bellows Falls (5-2): Friday at 7 p.m.
Riding high after a 41-0 shellacking against Springfield in the 111th edition of the rivalry game between the two programs, Bellows Falls is looking to move to 6-2 against a winless Sanborn squad. Look for the Terriers to try to wrap this one up early so they can give their starters some rest before the opening round of the Division 2 playoffs.
Predicted winner: Bellows Falls
Monadnock (6-0) at Fall Mountain (0-6): Friday at 7 p.m.
Winless Fall Mountain faces a tough matchup on Friday night when undefeated Monadnock comes to town. The Huskies have won every game against Division 3 – West opponents by double-digits, so look for them to continue this trend at Fall Mountain.
Predicted winner: Monadnock
Woodstock (6-0) at Windsor (1-5): Saturday at 1 p.m.
In a rematch of last year’s Division 3 State Championship, Woodstock travels to Windsor for a Saturday afternoon contest. Windsor is coming off a bye week following its first victory of the season against Poultney on Oct. 5. Despite Windsor’s recent success, undefeated Woodstock appears to be too much to handle for the young Yellow Jackets.
Predicted winner: Woodstock
Springfield (4-3) was scheduled to face Oxbow this week before they were forced to cancel their season. The Cosmos will have the week off to prepare for the opening round of the playoffs.
VT Division 2 Rankings: 1. Bellows Falls (5-2); 2. Rice (6-1); 3. Fair Haven (5-2); 4. Lyndon (5-2); 5. Colchester (3-4)
VT Division 3 Rankings: 1. Woodstock (6-0); 2. BFA-Fairfax-Lamoille (7-0); 3. Otter Valley (3-3); 4. Springfield (4-3); 5. Mill River (2-5)
NH Division 3 – West Rankings: 1. Monadnock (6-0); 2. Newport (4-1); 3. Stevens (3-2); 4. Lebanon (2-3); 5. Kearsarge (1-5)
