As we enter the final week of the high school football regular season, the playoff push is on.
The South Shore will see no shortage of representation, currently holding the top spot in the Power Rankings in four of the eight divisions, and at least one top-three seed in all eight.
While teams at the top will be focused on jockeying for position, several South Shore teams are just hoping to get into the dance.
With one game remaining, six local squads are on the playoff bubble. We took a look at each team’s final matchup, and what they’ll have to do to get into the playoffs.
READ: The Midseason Bill Wilhelm Award Watchlist
Brockton (2-5) – Ranked #16 in Division 1
Even to be in this position is something of a surprise to everyone outside of the City of Champions.
Sitting at 0-5 heading into a matchup with 5-0 Weymouth, one could be forgiven for thinking the Boxers season was on life support. Brockton had other plans, as they pulled off one of the season’s great upsets with a 19-6 win over the Wildcats.
That led into Big 3 play, where the Boxers have always been dominant. After a dominant win over New Bedford, Brockton is set up for a win-and-you’re-in game against Durfee on Saturday.
The Boxers must have a W to get to the requisite three wins for playoff eligibility, and should be favored against a Hilltopper team that sits nine spots below them in the Power Rankings. Beyond that, it’s hoping the MIAA formula staves off #17 Framingham.
Week 9 Game: Home vs Durfee (3-4, #25 Div. 1), Saturday, 12:30
Playoff Probability: High
BC High (2-5) – Ranked #15 in Division 1
The Eagles have endured the second toughest schedule in all Division 1 this season. Couple that with heavy attrition from last year’s Final Four team, it’s understandable that things just haven’t clicked yet for BC High.
Paul Zukauskas’ group kept their playoff hopes alive in Week 7, stuffing a two-point conversion attempt with no time remaining to hold onto a 39-38 win over Malden Catholic.
Their second win of the year, those heroics kept playoff chances alive.
Now, it’s do or die against St. John’s Shrewsbury. The Pioneers are ranked one spot ahead of the Eagles in Division 1, and have faired similarly in two games against common opponents (both teams were on the wrong end of lopsided losses to St. John’s Prep and Xaverian).
A win should be enough to get BC High into the D1 field given their margin in the Power Rankings.
Week 9 Game: Away at St. John’s Shrewsbury (3-4, #14 Div. 1), Friday, 6:00
Playoff Probability: Medium
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Middleboro (3-4) – Ranked #17 in Division 4
The Sachems backslid out of a playoff position this week with a big loss to league rival Norwell.
Still, the margin between Middleboro and #16 Grafton is razor thin – just 0.04 points separate the two teams.
Rockland makes their way into town on Thursday night coming off a big loss to Abington. The Bulldogs have been resurgent this season, but the home environment makes Middleboro the slight favorites.
Unfortunately for the Sachems, their playoff spot likely won’t hang solely on Thursday’s result.
Grafton is likely to lose to their Week 9 opponent, Leominster (#8 Div. 1), but will also get an opponents ranking boost from seeing the Blue Devils on their schedule.
All of the top 16 teams in Division 4 have won the requisite three games, so there’s no room to spare for the Sachems. Middleboro will likely need a two score win over Rockland to have a chance.
Week 9 Game: Home vs Rockland (3-4, #8 Div. 7), Thursday, 6:30
Playoff Probability: Medium
Pembroke (2-5) – Ranked #13 in Division 5
The formula is very simple for the Titans, who are ranked comfortably inside the top 16 of Division 5. Get your requisite third win and you’re in.
Complicating matters is an offense that has gone silent over the last three weeks following a 40-point outburst against Hanover.
Pembroke scored just 7 points Friday night against Plymouth South after being shutout consecutively by Scituate and North Quincy.
The Titans stars will have to find a way to revive the offense if they want to upset a 5-2 Quincy team Thursday.
Week 9 Game: Away at Quincy (5-2, #8 Div. 2), Thursday, 6:00
Playoff Probability: Medium
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East Bridgewater (5-2) – Ranked #14 in Division 6
Another hot start for the Vikings has them in a very good position to make the playoffs. Though they’ll be heavy underdogs against Abington this weekend, the result may not matter, as they hold a three-point cushion over #17 Joseph Case.
With a Winthrop team a spot ahead of them that has yet to qualify for the playoffs, Vikings faithful should have a relatively anxiety free Week 9.
Week 9 Game: Home vs Abington (6-1, #2 Div. 6), Thursday, 7:00
Playoff Probability: High
Last week, Johnny bookended CM's in-state win streak with another correct pick against the Knights 🔨
First @MarshfieldRams, then @XBHS_Football
When JR takes your defense, it's a lock 🔒
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— WATD Sports (@SEonWATD) October 22, 2025
Carver (2-5) – #16 in Division 7
Considering the jump up a division in realignment and a third head coach in three years, the Crusaders still being in the mix should be viewed as a positive.
Carver has shown flashes of brilliance this season, especially since moving Nathan Helms to quarterback.
But, no team has had a tougher road to finish their season. The Crusaders final three games include Cohasset (#1 Div. 7), Randolph (#2 Div. 8), and West Bridgewater (#2 Div. 7).
It will all come down to Carver’s game against the Wildcats this week. It’s an uphill battle to be sure, as the Crusaders have struggled against other teams with similarly vaunted ground attacks to WB’s.
There is a strong likelihood that Carver will be pointing back to a one-point loss to East Bridgewater on opening night as the result that kept them out of the playoffs.
Week 9 Game: Away at West Bridgewater (6-1, #2 Div. 7), Thursday, 5:30
Playoff Probability: Low
The Sports Exchange airs every Sunday night at 5 p.m. on 95.9 WATD.
Each week, Quinn Kelly, along with co-hosts Johnny Rorke and Brendan Connelly, breaks down the news of the week in sports. Enjoy commentary on local happenings on the high school scene right up to the Big 4 pro sports and beyond.
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