Peter's Pigskin Picks

OK, I do have a lot of egg on my face. Auburn deserves all the credit in these parts for shutting up and putting up a 35-6 statement on Shepherd Hill before a large crowd on Drury Square last Friday night. "It was a drubbing on Drury Square" proclaimed AM 940 veteran play by play analyst Matt Morway of WGFP. "Nobody expected a 35-6 score," added Morway. Nobody except the tight lipped all business Auburn football team and their coaches. The Rockets deserve respect and have handled their football affairs consistently by saying nothing over the last year. End of story. Silence has been their mantra and they blocked and tackled with the loudest of roars while avenging last year’s upset loss to Shepherd Hill and everything that went with it. Auburn did not like being out-muscled last year and pushed Shepherd Hill all over the field every series of the game. Their program is about as healthy as a program can be, and yes, they did shake hands after the game. No more drama about the streak and post game behavior in Dudley in 2011. Auburn proved their point on the scoreboard as they won their 13th straight game over two years. Can somebody please pass me a facecloth to wipe the egg off my face?

How about the Hometown Indians of Bartlett putting up 59 points against Uxbridge in Webster and beating the Spartans 59-28. It’s got to be a Bartlett record of scoring nine rushing touchdowns. Maybe a state record. I can’t recall a Bartlett team or any football team, for that matter, scoring 59 points by running for nine touchdowns by four different running backs. The amazing stat is nine rushing touchdowns. The Bartlett offensive line deserves a record setting shoutout. The nine running TDs by Bartlett needs to be researched state-wide over the next week. I bet this is a once in a lifetime stat.

The Indians (2-3) travel to neighboring Dudley to play Shepherd Hill (4-1) on Friday night in what could be a very interesting contest after the nine touchdown game. Looks like the Bartlett offense is for real and they could catch Shepherd Hill on their heels after the Rams gave up 35 points last week. Shepherd Hill needs a check-up from the neck up this week in practice, while Bartlett has to continue being fearless and not think at all. Bartlett will be the talk in the local establishments this week because of their offensive resurgence, and their headliner, and their feature back in Alexander Givins-Perry who has been the best running back in the south county so far this season and one of the best in central Mass.

THE OXFORD INSURANCE AGENCY PLAYER AND LINEMAN OF THE WEEK GOES TO THE ENTIRE AUBURN FOOTBALL PROGRAM.THE ROCKETS DESERVE TO BE BACK ON TOP OF THE PERCH THEY RECLAIMED LAST FRIDAY NIGHT BY SOLIDLY DEFEATING SHEPHERD HILL. AUBURN DID IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, BY BLOCKING AND TACKLING WITH A PURPOSE. CONGRATULATIONS.

THE OXFORD INSUARANCE AGENCY GAME OF THE WEEK HAS BARTLETT OF WEBSTER CROSSING INTO NEIGHBORING DUDLEY FOR THEIR ANNUAL SHOWDOWN. PLEASE JOIN MATT MORWAY AND PETE GEANIS FOR THE LIVE COVERAGE ON AM 940 WGFP FRIDAY NIGHT. PREGAME COVERAGE BEGINS AT 6:45 PM WITH THE KICKOFF AT 7 PM.

SHEPHERD HILL(4-1) over BARTLETT (2-3) AT DUDLEY FRIDAY 7 PM

The Rams are wounded and their pride has been taken away as they didn’t get off the bus in Auburn last week. On the other hand, Bartlett is feeling real good about themselves and they should after scoring 59 points against Uxbridge. This game is a recipe for disaster unless the hometown Indians can play defense. The levels that these two rivals play week in and week out are completely different. The positive thing for Bartlett is they are getting better every week while Shepherd Hill has been in neutral since tying St. John’s and walloping Shrewsbury in their pre season scrimmages.

BAY PATH (4-1) over QUABOAG (0-5) AT QUABOAG FRIDAY 7 PM

Just another week at the office for Coach Al Dhembe and his program. Dhembe is approaching another coaching milestone as he is ready to pass the victory mark for most wins at one school in central Mass. Dhembe is ready to pass Vic Rimkus of Hudson who is retired and has 212 wins. Dhembe will secure the second place slot of 213 wins and he will follow Northbridge’s Ken LaChapelle who has 301. Kudos to Dhembe for a truly remarkable feat. Back to this week’s game for BP. The Minutemen’s second teams get a lot of playing time this week.

OXFORD (0-5) over NASHOBA VALLEY TECH (2-3) AT NVT,WESTFORD, MA FRIDAY 7 PM

The Pirates have a legitimate shot this week as they travel to Westford to play Nashoba Valley Tech. This game is another brainstorm by the MIAA’s scheduling comittee.What do you think the over/under will be at the gate? Add the bus trip costs for Oxford and nobody wins on the financial side. Maybe, just maybe, the trip will be worth it if Oxford can get their first win of the season.

LAST WEEK PICKS: 3-1 2012 SEASON: 21-8