In past years, a five-win week would have been cause for major despair.

Nowadays, it is sadly becoming par for the course.

Once again, we scuffled mightily in our weekly exercise of futility. A five-win week due in large part to our inability to navigate through the Merrimack Valley Conference and Northeastern Conference led to the demise.

We suggested that Winthrop could be a legitimate sleeper, but Fairhaven put that pick to sleep thanks to the brilliance of Justin Marques. As much as we liked Winthrop, we thought Dennis-Yarmouth was capable of heading into Witches Country and emerging victorious, but Salem had other ideas.

Let’s move over to the MVC (do we really have to?).

We had a real shot with Plymouth South over Billerica as our Upset Special and the visitors took the game into overtime before losing. Then again, closeness only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and ballroom dancing.

North Andover came into the postseason playing good football, but Winchester was unfazed. By the way, if you get a chance, you have to see Sachems’ kicker Kieran Corr – he’s worth the price of admission.

The last setback came in the ISL where the fighting Willeys of BB&N disposed of St. Sebastian’s.

Enough with last week, on to Week 10.

MILTON over Dartmouth: Wildcats seemed to get back on track last week.

Methuen over NEEDHAM: Hate going against the Rockets, but not sure I want to go against the Easons here.

ANDOVER over Weymouth: Golden Warriors get the call at home.

WALPOLE over Mansfield: Rebels are really clicking on offense.

ST. JOHN’S PREP over BC High: Not a chance in the world that SJP overlooks this game in its quest to repeat as Div. 1 state champion.

FOXBORO over Newburyport: Warriors’ defense has been terrific all season.

XAVERIAN over Springfield Central: One of these times, I am going to be right on this pick.

CARVER over KIPP: Crusaders seem to be a crusade similar to SSL member Hull last year.

LAWRENCE ACADEMY over BBN: I sense a bounceback effort from the host Spartans.

Belmont Hill over GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY: Is there any doubt Anthony Fucillo is the ISL Coach of the Year after what he’s done at Belmont Hill this year?

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

LAST WEEK: 5-5 (.500)

SEASON TO DATE: 58-32 (.644)