The MIAA field hockey state tournament has begun, launched Wednesday with preliminary round play and a couple first-round matchups. It ends the weekend of Nov. 15, when state finals take the stage at Burlington High.

Here are the storylines and other notes to look out for across all four divisions:

Legacy check

Eyes widened for good reason when four-time reigning Div. 4 state champion Uxbridge realigned into Div. 3, which four-time reigning champion Watertown has controlled. A potential meeting between the No. 1 Spartans (18-0) and No. 5 Raiders (15-2) in the state semifinals carries historic implications.

Uxbridge’s 5.3253 rating in the power rankings far exceeds the previous high (2023 Walpole, 4.0675). Only a couple of mountains haven’t been climbed by this all-time group, but facing the winningest program in state history (Watertown) – and potentially second-seeded Sandwich (15-1-2) in the final – gives it a chance to.

Watertown is the underdog, but a master of strategy and preparation. Don’t count it out from finding a way to go on another title run.

Champs out to repeat

There’s every reason to believe Walpole (No. 1 in Div. 1) and Somerset Berkley (No. 3 in Div. 2) could go the distance again.

Speed, athleticism and championship experience is all over the field for the Porkers (16-1-1) in search of a three-peat. Senior Kate Schneider is a major offensive threat with depth around her. Twins Emily Hagan and Grace Hagan are game-changers, as are Kendal Cusack, Nadia Michienzi, Ella Dacey and freshman Eva Karacalidis. Walpole has allowed more than one goal just once  (Uxbridge).

Somerset Berkley (17-1) draws scrutiny for a boy on its team, as junior Ryan Crook is a highly skilled and athletic difference-maker. Dynamic play from Addie Finlaw and Ella Vaught complements him, while midfielder Emma Cormier and Meg Costa anchor a strong defense. Earlier, the Blue Raiders snapped Watertown’s historic win streak at 103 games and handed Sandwich its only loss.

Banging on door

New heights are within reach for groups that fell just short last year. Top-seeded Monomoy (12-5-1), a two-time reigning Div. 4 finalist, is now the favorite. Emery Cappallo and Sam Clarke, both 100-point scorers, and goalie Maddy Swett stand out.

The only program Sandwich lost to in the Div. 3 state tournament each of the last four years is Watertown. It voted to stay in Div. 3 for another chance, and a 1-1 tie with Walpole in the regular season finale shows it can play with the best in the state once again.

D2 up in the air

Though No. 1 Hingham (16-1-1) is loaded with multi-year starters and big-game experience after consecutive Final Four appearances, Div. 2 might be the only division where there isn’t a clear favorite.

No. 4 Canton (13-1-4) has one of the state’s best scoring tandems in Shannon Lane (35 goals, 15 assists) and Carolyn Schiavo (20 goals, 15 assists). No. 2 Nashoba (17-0-1) ran through a tough schedule. No. 5 King Philip (14-4), No. 7 Masconomet (16-0-2), No. 8 Newburyport (14-3-1) and No. 9 Reading (10-5-3) fuel what could be a chaotic finish.

No. 10 Westwood (six-game win streak) could turn heads.

Crazy 8’s

Newburyport – anchored by forward Olivia Wilson, midfielder Riley Lombard and defender Olivia Kreuz – is one of several threatening eight-seeds.

We won’t have a Walpole-Andover Div. 1 state final for the first time in four years, but the No. 8 Golden Warriors (15-1-2) could meet the Porkers in the state quarterfinals. Caroline Samaras (19 goals, nine assists) leads four players with at least 20 points, while midfielders Chloe Broderick and Avery Pitts have stood out.

Div. 4’s No. 8 Manchester Essex (13-4-1) rides a nine-game unbeaten streak, led by senior star Abby Kent (Holy Cross). Div. 3’s No. 8 Scituate (12-6-2) has been tough against strong teams.

Chasing Walpole

Perennial contender No. 2 Franklin (13-2-3) earns its highest seeding behind an elite defense that could anchor a run to its first final, featuring four-year starting goalie Devon Barry. The Panthers have lost to Walpole in each of the last two state tournaments.

Third-seeded Wellesley (17-1) hasn’t lost since it was blown out by Walpole in the opener, 6-1. Senior midfielder Kayla Bohlin (28 goals, 22 assists) and Sienna Snyder (17 goals, 16 assists) lead a well-balanced attack, while the defense has allowed just five goals in the streak.

Stellar midfield and defensive play anchors a No. 5 Winchester (15-3) worthy of a trip back to the Final Four, and wins over Watertown and Belmont give it a special feel. Walpole beat Winchester in the state semifinals last season and 6-1 earlier this year.

Other D1 notes

No. 6 Belmont (15-3) is a strong candidate for its first Final Four appearance with depth around UConn-commit Mackenzie Clarke. No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury (11-2-3) proved its strength with several signature wins, including one over Franklin.

No. 7 Concord-Carlisle, No. 9 Acton-Boxboro, No. 10 Hopkinton, No. 11 Natick and No. 12 Bishop Feehan all have signature showings and could make noise. The winners of No. 13 Attleboro-No. 20 Beverly and No. 15 Lexington-No. 18 Waltham will be pesky.

Div. 3 sleepers

The only variable that makes No. 3 Dover-Sherborn (15-2-1) and No. 4 Medfield (13-5) “sleepers” is their blowout losses to Uxbridge in the regular season. The Tri-Valley League standouts, along with No. 6 Medway (9-5-2), are prime candidates to crack the Final Four – which Medfield hasn’t done since 1997.

Cape Ann League powers didn’t fare well in the power rankings, but No. 10 Lynnfield (14-1-3) and No. 26 North Reading (10-5-3) could meet in the second round to ensure league representation in the quarterfinals. No. 9 St. Mary’s of Lynn (17-0-1) has stymied opposing attacks against a challenging schedule.

No. 12 Gloucester, No. 14 Foxboro and No. 22 Auburn are other potential sleepers.

New throne

There will be a new champion in Div. 4.

No. 2 Dennis-Yarmouth (13-5) lost twice to Monomoy in the regular season, but a third matchup in an all-Cape and Islands League championship could be trouble — if both get there.

No. 3 Cohasset (12-3-1) has looked worthy of a title run. Central Mass. standout No. 4 Sutton (12-3-3) could be trouble for Monomoy if Manchester Essex or No. 9 West Bridgewater (12-4-3) isn’t first.

No. 6 Hopedale, No. 7 Quabbin, No. 11 East Bridgewater and No. 18 Ipswich are other candidates to make some noise.

Picks

D1

Champion: No. 1 Walpole

Final Four: No. 1 Walpole, No. 2 Franklin, No. 3 Wellesley, No. 5 Winchester

Sleepers: No. 8 Andover, No. 13 Attleboro

Potential upset: No. 19 Shrewsbury over No. 14 Westboro

Best first-round matchup: No. 15 Lexington vs No. 18 Waltham (Monday, 4 p.m.)

D2

Champion: No. 4 Canton

Final Four: No. 1 Hingham, No. 2 Nashoba, No. 3 Somerset Berkley, No. 4 Canton

Sleepers: No. 8 Newburyport, No. 10 Westwood

Potential upset: No. 21 Marshfield over No. 12 Dartmouth

Best first-round matchup: No. 15 NDA (H) vs No. 18 Barnstable (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.)

D3

Champion: No. 1 Uxbridge

Final Four: No. 1 Uxbridge, No. 2 Sandwich, No. 3 Dover-Sherborn, No. 5 Watertown

Sleepers: No. 9 St. Mary’s (L), No. 10 Lynnfield

Potential upset: No. 22 Auburn over No. 11 East Longmeadow

Best first-round matchup: No. 7 Hanover vs No. 26 North Reading (Saturday, 1 p.m.)

D4

Champion: No. 3 Cohasset

Final Four: No. 1 Monomoy, No. 2 Dennis-Yarmouth, No. 3 Cohasset, No. 4 Sutton

Sleepers: No. 8 Manchester Essex, No. 18 Ipswich

Potential upset: No. 20 Northbridge over No. 13 Westport

Best first-round matchup: No. 15 Clinton vs No. 18 Ipswich (Friday, 4 p.m.)