Playoff brackets set after final MIAA regular season games
Saturday's schedule concluded the regular season, determining which teams advance to the postseason and which drop into consolation play.
By Layla Fontaine ·
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association regular season ended Saturday when final games concluded, leaving teams to sort out their postseason fates. The official playoff brackets were released Sunday afternoon, drawing a hard line between those who qualify for the main tournament and those who will play in consolation matches. For some programs, a strong campaign ended with a missed cut, forcing a pivot toward second-chance games. For others, the path to the state final at Gillette Stadium is now open and defined.
In Division 1, Central Catholic defeated Haverhill 43-36 to secure a strong finish. Cody Arsenault carried the ball seven times for 154 yards and a touchdown, while also returning a kickoff for a score. Caden Smith added 128 passing yards and two touchdowns to two rushing scores. St. John’s Prep beat Catholic Memorial 42-35, with Maxwell Parent rushing for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Chris Vargas threw for 203 yards and two scores in that contest.
Franklin held Taunton to 12 points in a 21-12 win, powered by Owen Essam who scored three total touchdowns. Newton North defeated Braintree 34-29, where Domenic Busa rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Durfee beat Brockton 21-7, with Matt Sherry passing for 81 yards and two touchdowns on eight attempts. Ahli Cantave added 127 rushing yards and a score for the victors.
Westford Academy dominated Newton South 47-12 in Division 2. Brett Moran scored four total touchdowns while Cam Croom rushed for 144 yards and a score. Waltham defeated Boston Latin 50-21, with Jake Racine rushing for four touchdowns. Billerica beat Methuen 48-35, where Jackson Gearin rushed for 145 yards and five touchdowns. Winchester shut out Belmont 35-0, with Peter Alexopoulos throwing two touchdown passes.
In Division 3, Milton edged Weymouth 27-20. Jayden Dubois rushed for 138 yards and four touchdowns. Marshfield defeated Whitman-Hanson 39-20, with Austin Bossey rushing for 128 yards and four touchdowns on eight carries. Masconomet beat Marblehead 28-20, where Cruz Zizza passed for 302 yards and two total touchdowns on 24 attempts. Mansfield won 14-7 against King Philip, with Gio Scarpellini throwing for 150 yards and a touchdown.
The preps division also entered its final stretch, with teams now having two chances to earn NEPSAC bowl berths. St. Mark’s beat Thayer Academy 41-35. Jack Cullinan passed for 266 yards and four touchdowns, while CJ Farrell caught six passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Middlesex defeated Roxbury Latin 35-21. Alejandro Pimentel passed for 396 yards and two touchdowns on 22 attempts. Mekhi Eada caught six passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Dexter Southfield shut out Avon Old Farms 14-0, with Steven Joseph rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown.
