It is Week 7 already. The leaves are turning and the games continue to get more important each week. Several important match ups this weekend to see who stay in the hunt for the championship game.


Stonehill (2-4, 2-3 NE-10) @ Pace (0-6, 0-5 NE-10)

When: October 18th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Stonehill leads the series, 10-9-0

My Thoughts: Both teams need to get this win.

Stonehill fell in the final seconds to LIU Post last Saturday on the road. They dropped a tough 28-25 game in which they needed to stay in the hunt for the championship game. The Skyhawks rallied in the fourth quarter to grab the lead with 2:50 left but were not able to keep Post out of the end zone late. For Stonehill to win on their second straight week in New York, they will need to establish their offensive attack early. The defense will also need to make some plays and get off the field to allow their offense to control the tempo.

Pace dropped another tough game to Assumption 52-0 last Friday night. The Setters gave up 21 points in the first quarter and never recovered. They had some signs of offensive success in the second quarter but were not able to be consistent in their execution. For Pace to win the game, they will need to play more consistent and not allow Stonehill to control the clock. The defense will also need to pressure the quarterback and make some plays in order to get off the field.

Stonehill should be able to move the ball with ease and win this game on the road.

Prediction: Stonehill 42 Pace 10


Bentley (1-5, 0-5 NE-10) @ Southern Connecticut (1-5, 1-4 NE-10)

When: October 18th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 10-6-0

My Thoughts: This game used to be for first place in the league, not for ninth place.

Bentley dropped their fifth straight, this time to Merrimack by the score of 28-25. The Falcons were intercepted late as they were trying to regain the lead. It has been the same story for Bentley in the NE-10, close but no cigar. They have been snake bitten in each of their five losses and are one play or two away from being 5-0 in the league. For Bentley to win this week, they are going to need to play well early in the game and not let the final minutes come into play. Playing with the lead and taking care of business early is the key for the Falcons.

Southern Connecticut fell to cross town rival New Haven 27-14 last Saturday. The Owls struggled in the running game and were not able to answer New Haven in the middle part of the game. Southern Connecticut has now dropped three straight games and need to find a way to right the ship. For the Owls to win at home, they are going to need to play 60 minutes of football. They will need to play mistake free and take advantage of Bentley mistakes.

Both teams need a victory and the game will be close. Bentley will finally breakthrough this week.

Prediction: Bentley 21 Southern Connecticut 17


Assumption (3-3, 3-2 NE-10) @ Merrimack (3-3, 3-2 NE-10)

When: October 18th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 14-4-0

My Thoughts: This game will kick the loser out of the NE-10 championship game race.

Assumption won easily over Pace 52-0 last Friday night. The Greyhounds were able to move the ball in the first quarter and jumped out to an early 21-0 lead. They repeated their dominance in the third quarter as they scored three more touchdowns to grab the runaway victory. For Assumption to win on the road, they will need to slow down the Merrimack offense and not turn the ball over themselves. They are very familiar with winning on the road over the last two seasons.

Merrimack escaped Bentley with a 28-25 victory last Saturday afternoon. The Warriors intercepted a pass late to seal the victory on the road. It was a nice bounce back from a tough home loss to St. Anselm two weeks ago. Merrimack was able to play back and forth with Bentley before making more plays down the stretch. For the Warriors to win this game, they will need to move the ball and control the clock. The defense will need to make some plays and force Assumption to make some mistakes when they have the ball.

This game is usually a close and hard fought contest. And this Saturday will be no different. Assumption will make a defensive play late to win another road game.

Prediction: Assumption 31 Merrimack 29


St. Anselm (5-1, 4-1 NE-10) @ LIU Post (4-2, 4-1 NE-10)

When: October 18th, 1:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: The winner of the game keeps pace with AIC.

St. Anselm suffered their first setback of the season as AIC beat them 48-26 at home. The Hawks scored on their opening drive but then allowed five of the next six touchdowns to AIC and never recovered. St. Anselm had trouble matching the size advantage of AIC in the trenches as they were not able to run the ball efficiently like they have this season. The passing game found some holes but also made some bad throws with interceptions. For St. Anselm to win on the road, they will need to play mistake free and not let that loss linger. The defense will also need to contain Steve Laurino and not allow him to beat them.

LIU Post won another close game with a last second touchdown to beat Stonehill 28-25. The Pioneers have now played six games that came down to the final minutes. They have won two of them at home over New Haven and now Stonehill. The coaches have told them to play 60 minutes and they are taking it to heart. For Post to win the game, they will need to move the ball and not allow St. Anselm to control the clock. The defense will also need to swarm to the ball and not allow big plays.

This game is now a very important game for both teams. The winner will keep pace with AIC with a chance at the championship and the loser will need a little assistance. Post will win the game late.

Prediction: Post 38 St. Anselm 34


New Haven (3-3, 3-2 NE-10) @ American International (5-1, 5-0 NE-10)

When: October 18th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 13-7-0

My Thoughts: Both teams are still not fond of each other.

New Haven has suddenly played themselves into championship game contention as they won their third straight game. This time, it was a 27-14 victory over cross town rival Southern Connecticut. The Chargers scored 20 straight points to take the game and did not have to wait for the final play of the game to see who would win. For New Haven to win on the road, they will need to find a way to slow down the AIC offense and not allow them to make big plays. The offense will need to move the ball and score when given the chance.

AIC showed their dominance as they defeated previously undefeated St. Anselm 48-26 on the road. The Yellow Jackets allowed a touchdown on the opening drive and then scored 35 of the next 41 points to take control of the game. They used the big play to overwhelm St. Anselm and keep their holding as the top team in the league. For AIC to win this game, they will need to continue their dominance in the trenches and not allow New Haven to establish their running game. The defense will need to play fast and physical like they do week in and week out.

New Haven will play tough for three quarters but AIC will make more plays down the stretch to win the game.

Prediction: AIC 34 New Haven 24