Friday night lights in the NE-10 this week. Four of the five match ups are under the lights and a lot will be decided before Saturday in the chase for the NE-10 title.


LIU Post (2-0, 1-0 NE-10) @ Bentley (1-1, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Post leads the series, 10-5-0

My Thoughts: This match up always seemed to determine the league champion.

LIU Post has been very impressive in their return to the NE-10 after they handed Southern Connecticut last weekend. The Pioneers were on the ropes in the fourth quarter before a huge goal line stand helped to swing the momentum back to them. Steve Laurino has played well at quarterback and will need to continue that play against a good Bentley defense. The Post defense will also be called upon to make plays and not allow the big play. For Post to win on the road, they will need to continue their balanced offense attack and score when they have the chance. They will also need to play well on the defensive side and contain the Bentley weapons.

Bentley made too many mistakes and that usually translates to a loss. And that is exactly what happened last Friday night. They turned the ball over four times and Assumption took advantage each time. The Falcons are a good team but no team can overcome that many mistakes in a game. Having a 14-7 lead late in the second quarter, Bentley allowed Assumption to drive the field and kick a field goal at the end of the half. That momentum hurt the Falcons in the second half. For Bentley to win the game, they are going to need to play mistake free. Danny Guadagnoli will need to direct the offense and not put the ball into the hands of any Post defenders.

This game will be hard fought and one team is going to walk off the field disappointed. Post has had the momentum in the first couple of weeks and should be able to control the game with their offense.

Prediction: Post 24 Bentley 17

Stonehill (1-1, 1-0 NE-10) @ Assumption (1-1, 1-0 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Stonehill leads the series, 19-6-0

My Thoughts: The winner of this game will be in first place after three weeks of games.

Stonehill was very solid in their 52-24 victory over St. Anselm last Saturday night. Logan Meyer became the school's all-time leader in passing yards and continues to play well for the Skyhawks. He also tossed five touchdowns including three to Corey White. Jamal Johnson found many holes and seemed to have his way in the running game. The defense was up to the task of stopping the high temp style of St. Anselm. For Stonehill to win on the road, they will need to continue their magic from last week. Meyer will need the time to find his receivers and Johnson will run behind the holes opened up by the offensive line.

Assumption had a very impressive victory on the road at Bentley and beat the Falcons for the first time since 2006. The Greyhounds capitalized on several turnovers and did a complete 180 from their first game in which they were the team with the turnovers. Bobby Jordan tossed two touchdowns while Matt Pedone was the team leader in rushing yards. The Assumption defense was solid in just allowing 14 points to a good Bentley offense. For the Greyhounds to win their home opener, they are going to need to capitalize on turnovers. They will also need to find a way to slow down the dynamic offensive attack of Stonehill and limit the big play.

This match up has the makings of a game of the week feel. Two teams that need to win the game if they have a chance at winning the league. They are pretty evenly matched and this game will come down to the final minutes. Stonehill will make a big play to win the game and disappoint the home crowd.

Prediction: Stonehill 24 Assumption 20

Merrimack (1-1, 0-1 NE-10) @ Southern Connecticut (0-2, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 8-7-0.

My Thoughts: Both teams need to rebound from tough weekends.

Merrimack scored 50 last Friday night and still lost. They allowed 62 in a loss at AIC and need to find a way to rebound. Joe Clancy continued his gunslinger mentality with six touchdown passes but was hit hard after each pass by the AIC defense. He has developed a nice rhythm with his receivers and Quinn McDonough has proven he is a solid back. The Merrimack defense will need to find a way to make plays and not allow the big gainers like they did last Friday night. For Merrimack to win on the road, they will need to control the game with their offensive tempo. Clancy is the best in the league right now at running his offense. The Warriors will also need to find a way to make plays on defense.

Southern Connecticut dropped a tough game on the road at LIU Post last Saturday. The Owls had their chances to the win the game but were not able to execute when they needed to. They were down five points in the fourth quarter and moved the ball inside the 10 yard line. But they were not able to punch the ball into the end zone and lost the game. The Owls will need a more consistent performance if they are going to grab their first win. For Southern Connecticut to win the game, they will need to play 60 minutes of football. The Owls will need to make plays on both sides of the ball and play mistake free.

These teams have played some entertaining games in the past couple of seasons and this one should be the same. Merrimack has had some success at Jess Dow Field including winning three straight there.

Prediction: Merrimack 35 Southern Connecticut 29

New Haven (1-1, 1-0 NE-10) @ St. Anselm (0-2, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 3-1-0

My Thoughts: Could an upset be in the making?

New Haven rebounded nicely with a 65-0 domination of Pace. The Chargers scored early and often in their first victory of the season. The New Haven that people have expected over the years finally showed up. Ronnie Nelson ran the offense and benefited from the big play. Seven of the nine touchdowns were from 15 or more yards including three over 50 yards. The defense also played well and will need to continue that swagger this weekend. For New Haven to win on the road, they will need to establish their style of play and not let St. Anselm feel comfortable with their high temp offense.

St. Anselm dropped a tough game at Stonehill by the score of 52-24. The Hawks were victimized at the end of the first half when the Skyhawks continued on a 44-yard touchdown. That capped a three play 72 yard drive that seemed to suck the momentum from the Hawks. Head coach Pat Murphy was very disappointed in his teams' execution in the game and felt it was one of the worst performances he has seen in his time at St. Anselm. For the Hawks to win the game, they will need to match New Haven in the trenches and not be pushed around the field. They also must move the ball in their typical up-tempo fashion and not have any three and outs.

New Haven is the better team but needs to play mistake free on the road. If they own the line of the scrimmage, it is going to be a long night for St. Anselm.

Prediction: New Haven 45 St. Anselm 24

AIC (1-1, 1-0 NE-10) @ Pace (0-2, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 21st, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 14-2-0

My Thoughts: These teams were picked to finish at the top and bottom of the league this year.

AIC enters the game off of an impressive win over Merrimack last Friday night. The Yellow Jackets exploded for 62 points in the win and made a statement to the rest of the league that they are for real. Quarterback Kevin Arduino used his arm and his legs to give fits to the Merrimack defense. When he needed a break, he handed the ball to Terrell Williams and watched him break off some long runs. For AIC to the win the game, they will need to establish their running game and the defense will need to contain the Pace offense.

Pace enters the game fresh off a 65-0 loss on the road at New Haven. The Setters struggled in all facets of the game and will look forward to a better performance in their home opener. For Pace to win the game, they will need to play mistake free and find a way to slow down the AIC offense.

AIC is bigger, stronger and deeper than Pace. The Setters will be competitive early but the Yellow Jackets will take control for the victory.

Prediction: AIC 45 Pace 7