Ten Div. 1 boys soccer schools with title aspirations were separated in the final power rankings by less than 1.4 points. No. 1 Concord-Carlisle (15-0-1), No. 2 Needham (14-2-2), No. 3 Acton-Boxboro (14-1-2) and reigning champion St. John’s Prep are separated by just .99.

The fourth-seeded Eagles began their title pursuit slowly, but rallied behind sophomore Garrison Murphy, who led the team with 12 goals and three assists. Senior midfielders Shamus Flaherty (eight goals, six assists) and Jake Vana (six goals, six assists) have also starred, while sophomore goalkeeper Matt Droggitis has recorded 10 shutouts in 13 starts.

For Acton-Boxboro, count on Andrew Yendluri (seven goals, four assists), Millis Lillis (six goals, two assists) and Andrew Krieger (goal, six assists) to pace the attack come crunch time.

Coaches have also pointed to No. 10 Franklin (13-0-5) as a threat. Rex Cinelli (Hockomock League MVP) has the Panthers undefeated.

Div. 2

Bedford (9-2-5) and Billerica (16-1-1) are the top seeds. The Buccaneers were the lone team to knock off the Indians (a 3-0 win on Sept. 9). Bedford will lean on Sean Morrison and Sawyer Elliott defensively, while juniors Spencer Goss and Leo Natalizio shoulder the load offensively. Billerica turns to last year’s Merrimack Valley Conference (Small) Player of the Year in Drew Jones (10 goals, six assists), Ryan Jacob (25 goals, 10 assists) and Jason Xintaropoulos (12 goals, nine assists in-league).

Hingham hope to send longtime coach Ken Carlin off into the sunset with one final run before retirement. The third-seeded Harbormen are 17-1-0. Watch out for Alessandro Neyra (14 goals, seven assists), just named the Patriot League (Keenan) MVP. Jacob Riker (10 shutouts, 0.61 GAA) stars in net.

Sixth-seeded Oliver Ames, the defending champ, lost a few critical roster pieces, but still cruised to a 14-3-1 record behind Joey Carney (15 goals, five assists) and Ryan Linhares (12 goals, 15 assists). Diego Rivera and Luke Churchill bring defensive prowess. Hopkinton, Melrose and Wakefield may also contend.

Div. 3

It would be easy to buy into a scenario in which No. 1 Oakmont (16-2-0) and No. 3 Norwell (15-2-2) collide in the state final. The Clippers will attempt to flip the script on the top-seeded Spartans, a daunting task.

No. 2 Gloucester (14-3-1) should challenge both schools for hardware.

Despite losing several pieces from last year’s star-studded roster, Pembroke (14-2-1) cruised to the fourth seed. With Wil McManus (14 goals, six assists) and Quinn Reilly (seven goals, 11 assists), the Titans remain a dangerous threat. They also boast the Patriot League (Fisher) MVP with Matt McAuliffe (eight goals, four assists) consistently creating plays.

Div. 4

Top-seeded Cohasset (13-3-2) is the early favorite. In a loaded South Shore League, Nathan Askjaer (29 goals, 14 assists) lit up the scoreboard. Cian Casey (14 goals, four assists) has also been a force.

Cohasset may have to contend with fellow South Shore League power No. 10 Rockland and the Bulldogs’ star duo, Joao Faria and Kaiky Araujo (32 goals combined). Eighteenth-seeded Abington could be a sleeper due to the emergence of team captain Iury Cassemiro.

Second-seeded Lynnfield (14-2-2) remains a contender. No. 3 Hampshire (15-0-3) stood atop the power rankings before Pioneer Valley League play, and figures to be in the mix with usual contenders Hamilton-Wenham and Gardner. Excel and Frontier are also powerful.

Div. 5

Three members of last year’s Final Four, Sutton, Douglas and Bromfield, are ranked atop the pairings in order.

Could an Eastern Mass. school vie for the crown? Chris Parker’s group at Westport (17-0-1) remains undefeated, looking to finish what it started as the No. 8 seed.

Predictions

Division 1

Best first-round matchup: No. 14 Natick vs. No. 19 Cambridge Rindge & Latin

Possible upset: No. 20 Ludlow over No. 13 Framingham

One sleeper: No. 15 BC High

Final four: Concord-Carlisle, Needham, Acton-Boxboro, St. John’s Prep

Champion: St. John’s Prep

Division 2

Best first-round matchup: No. 16 Wayland vs. No. 17 Reading

Possible upset: No. 19 Revere over No. 14 West Springfield

One sleeper: No. 12 Somerset Berkley

Final four: Bedford, Billerica, Oliver Ames, Wakefield

Champion: Billerica

Division 3

Best-first round matchup: No. 16 Holliston vs. No. 17 Greater New Bedford

Possible upset: No. 19 Medway over No. 14 St. Mary’s (L)

One sleeper: No. 15 Newburyport

Final four: Oakmont, Newburyport, Norwell, Pembroke

Champion: Norwell

Division 4

Best first-round matchup: No. 15 Millbury vs. No. 18 Abington

Possible upset: No. 22 Leicester over No. 11 Lunenburg

One sleeper: No. 18 Abington

Final four: Cohasset, Rockland, Hampshire, Hamilton-Wenham

Champion: Cohasset

Division 5

Best first-round matchup: No. 31 Pathfinder vs. No. 34 Hoosac Valley

Possible upset: No. 39 Granby over No. 26 Upper Cape

One sleeper: No. 17 Ware

Final four: Bromfield, Burke, Maynard, Westport

Champion: Westport