No. 1 Catholic Memorial keeps top ranking unanimously after big win over No. 5 Prep

DEDHAM, Mass. — The Catholic Memorial Knights retained their top ranking in the Boston 25 High School Football Top 10 Poll for yet another week after dispatching the then-No. 3 St. John’s Prep Eagles in Danvers on Friday night.

The Knights, who lost the last two Division 1 Super Bowls to the Eagles in 2018 and 2019, were unanimously voted the top team in Massachusetts after downing Prep at the Eagles’ nest, 38-9. The loss dropped St. John’s Prep to No. 5 in this week’s rankings, finishing just two votes behind No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury.

Hard fought. But never in doubt. 38-9, CM over St. John's Prep. pic.twitter.com/2sEsHw02AD
— Catholic Memorial (@CatholicMem) October 19, 2021

LS moved up a spot in the poll thanks to a 42-15 drubbing of Westford. Taking Prep’s No. 3 spot are their rivals, the Xaverian Hawks. X crushed fellow Catholic Conference opponent Malden Catholic, 41-0.

The SJP loss was not enough, however, for them to be eclipsed by the Central Catholic Raiders. Central remained the sixth-ranked team in the commonwealth this week despite a big 34-8 win over Methuen. The Raiders lost, 49-14, to Prep back in Week 2.

>>>LAST WEEK’S POLL: No. 9 Milford joins Top 10 Poll after narrow win over Mansfield

No. 7 Franklin and No. 8 Reading also held firm for yet another week, with the Panthers enjoying a bye week while the Rockets blew out Arlington, 50-12.

No. 9 Marshfield moved up a spot following their 41-13 win over Whitman-Hanson. They took the ninth ranking from Milford, who fell out of the Top 10 following a 17-14 loss to King Philip. That loss means the No. 10 Marblehead Magicians rejoined the poll this week after falling out just a week ago.

Duxbury, Natick and Barnstable all received votes this week.