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Video: Thanksgiving football preview and picks

For many, it's the last chance to play alongside friends and a culmination of relationships built on the gridiron through the years. For more still, it's the last chance to play.

It's nearly Thanksgiving Day, so ESPN Boston High Schools editors Scott Barboza and Brendan C. Hall are running down the action in our weekly preview. The Catholic Conference title is on the line between Xaverian and St. John's Prep and bragging rights to be settled across the state (for the full slate of game picks, scroll below the video):

(Video by Greg Story)

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(All games played at 10 a.m. Thursday unless noted otherwise.)

Bridgewater-Raynham (6-4) at Brockton (7-3)

Scott Barboza: 
Kerry Raymond keeps running on into next season. Brockton, 21-14.

Brendan C. Hall: I'm predicting three touchdowns and 180 yards for Kerry Raymond, the best running back in Massachusetts. Brockton, 28-17

Central Catholic (8-2) at Andover (6-4), 10:30 a.m.

Barboza:
The Golden Warriors aren't going to allow a three-game, season sweep. Andover, 33-28.

Hall: Cool side story here that Central Catholic's Mike Balsamo will likely be tasked with marking massive Andover tight end Alex Marshall for the third time this season. Central, 30-27

North Attleborough (7-3) at Attleboro (4-6)

Barboza:
Bobby Mylod and Nick Rajotte are serious blocks to build around going forward for the Red Rocketeers. North, 27-20.

Hall: Proposing a new rule for this game. Whichever team creates the best helmet should be awarded six points to start the game. Attleboro, 26-20

Foxborough (7-3) at Mansfield (5-5)

Barboza:
The Warriors end the season on a high note in the matchup of Hockomock League crossover rivals. Foxborough, 16-13.

Hall: Warriors going for a rare win streak in this series. Foxborough, 14-7

Holliston (11-0) at Westwood (6-5)

Barboza:
How does Todd Kiley play this one heading into Gillette? I think they play to win in this underrated blood rivalry. Holliston, 32-31.

Hall: Without Nick Athy available, Panthers lose some of their moxie. Expect a lot of ground and pound. Holliston 22-20

Catholic Memorial (5-5) at BC High (5-5)

Barboza:
The teams enter even in their records on the season, but the Eagles are the class here. BC High, 34-20.

Hall: When was the last time a Jon Bartett-coached team lost on Thanksgiving? Never? BC High, 30-14

Marshfield (10-1) at Duxbury (7-3-1)

Barboza:
Lou Silva left no doubt about whether his starters will play in this one, but injuries could be a factor. I'm going with a talented sophomore class for the Dragons in my upset special. Duxbury, 20-17.

Hall: Injuried parties aside, this is still a good enough Marshfield defense to win out. Marshfield, 26-21.

Fitchburg (6-5) at Leominster (7-3), Saturday, 10 a.m.

Barboza:
I said before the teams played for the sectional title that they'd come away with a season split. I just got the order wrong. Leominster, 8-6.

Hall: Blue Devils might win out here, but the damage from two weeks ago is still done. You can take a nail out of a wall, but it still leaves a mark. Leominster, 13-6.

Longmeadow (12-0) at East Longmeadow (8-2)

Barboza:
Another rematch of a sectional finals' game, the Lancers find a way to keep their perfect record in tact rolling into Gillette next week. Longmeadow, 14-7.

Hall: Mike Maggipinto easily eclipses the 2,000-yard mark for the second straight season. East Longmeadow, 23-20

Wellesley (6-4) at Needham (7-3)

Barboza:
The Rockets were a dark horse in Division 2 South entering the playoffs and a team to watch in the coming years. Needham, 28-20.

Hall: Count me among those that think there will be some points score in this one. Needham, 30-21.

St. John's Prep (9-3) at Xaverian (10-0)

Barboza:
A battle to end all battles. It comes down to a late Joe Gaziano field goal. Xaverian, 17-14.

Hall: As they have all season long, Hawks get great second-half defense to close it out still unscathed. Xaverian, 21-13.

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