Four-game win streaks might be commonplace in the world of St. John’s Prep, Xaverian, Duxbury and King Philip.

For Medford, a turnaround borders on the historic.

When the Mustangs walked out of Hormel Stadium with a pulsating 20-18 win over Lynn English Thursday, it was their fourth consecutive win after starting the season 0-3. You have to go back to 1991 under the late Francis “Bud” Kelley to find the last time a Medford team won four straight.

“I think the kids were really looking for reasons to buy in,” said Medford coach John Curley. “We had our first winning season in 27 years last year and these kids were looking to keep the train going and make some new history.”

It was a loss to Everett in Week 2 that really inspired the community. Medford hadn’t beaten the longtime GBL power since 1991 and many of the losses were of the ugly variety. This time, however, the Mustangs and Crimson Tide were deadlocked at 14-14 with eight minutes left before Everett pulled away down the stretch to win 34-14.

“I really think that game was a turning point, especially since we were coming off a loss to Greater Lowell,” Curley said. “It was the traditional David vs. Goliath and we were able to play the kind of Medford football we wanted to play, going east to west and playing sound defense before we got tired.

“Still, that game got everyone excited. I think I got more texts after that game than I did after we beat Malden on Thanksgiving.”

Medford had gone through seven coaches in 30 years before Curley threw his hat in the ring when the job opened up in 2019. A nose guard under Tony Gulla at Somerville in the early 2000s, Curley always felt there was potential.

“I remember when I was an assistant at other places (at Arlington, Stoneham and Somerville), I would always look at Medford and think there was potential there,” Curley said. “I’ve always been someone who wanted to do something people said I couldn’t do, love to prove people wrong. There is a lot of talent in Medford and I wanted to get those kids out to play football.”

In the win streak, Justin Marino has finally received his just due as one of the better signal callers in the area. Prince Exavier is a good defensive back and Nathan Brou is an impressive two-way lineman. Curley is hoping the recent wave of success will inspire more kids to Medford to join in.

“We have a lot of good pieces to the pie,” Curley said. “Now we are seeing people in the community want a piece of that pie. The kids have put in the time and effort to change the culture and it is rewarding to see.”

SWEET 16

1. St. John’s Prep (6-0): Eagles had no trouble with Malden Catholic to remain atop the Sweet 16 for another week.

2. Catholic Memorial (5-1): Knights roll with ease to set up a classic No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup with St. John’s Prep on Saturday.

3. King Philip (6-0): Another week, another dominant defensive effort.

4. Needham (6-0): Overcome a slow start to pull away from Braintree.

5. BC High (5-0): The Eagles have arrived as a legitimate contender for the Catholic Conference title.

6. Marshfield (5-1): What a record-setting performance by quarterback Tor Maas against Hingham.

7. Xaverian (3-3): Hawks better find some answers on defense if they want to entertain any thoughts of defending their Div. 1 state title.

8. Scituate (6-0): Sailors running roughshod through the Patriot League so far.

9. Methuen (5-1): Outstanding effort on both sides of the ball against Billerica.

10. Weymouth (6-0): It’s not a stretch to suggest this week’s game against Needham is the biggest in years for the Wildcats.

11. Natick (5-1): Redhawks cruised past Brookline in a Saturday Night Special.

12. Andover (5-1): Slowed down a high-octane Haverhill offense.

13. Central Catholic (3-3): Back on the field this week to face rival Andover.

14. Reading (6-0): Rockets showed some late-game moxie against Winchester to remain unbeaten.

15. Franklin (5-1): Did what they had to do against Attleboro to run the winning streak to five.

16. Duxbury (5-1): Without much fanfare, the Dragons are slowly rounding into championship form.