Repeat matchups flavor playoff schedule

Xaverian, Upper Cape and Latin Academy are in the predicament of trying to beat the same team for the second time in seven days. Xaverian had to battle to defeat BC High, 14-0, last week and the top-seeded team in Division 1 South begins a quest for a sixth straight sectional title tonight at the Hawk Bowl against their Catholic Conference rivals. “It’s definitely tougher to beat the same opponent two weeks in a row,” said Xaverian coach Al Fornaro. “There is a little bit of an advantage for the team that lost because they can look at this as a do-over. We’re just going to go out and do what we’ve done all year, if we do it any other way, it would be a recipe for disaster.” It was a special day for Upper Cape coach Ken Owen, who joined the exclusive 200-win club when his team edged Old Colony, 13-6. The Rams will look to turn the trick again tonight when the teams square off in a Div. 8 South quarterfinal at Bourne High School. “We’ve told the kids that this is a new season and that’s how they’ve approached it,” Owen said. “We knew the first game was a tough, close game and we’re anticipating the same kind of game once again.” Latin Academy jumped out to a 29-6 lead over East Boston last week before holding on for a 29-28 victory. The two Boston City League foes renew acquaintances this afternoon at historic White Stadium in a Div. 8 North opener. “I’m sure East Boston will come into the game with great confidence after they almost came back,” said Latin Academy coach Rocco Zizza. “I don’t think teams can change too much in a short time. You might change a few schemes here and there, but you just have to go out there and play.” In addition to the aforementioned three games, seven more teams are in the same boat of having to beat someone for the second time to get to the sectional semifinals. St. John’s Prep defeated Haverhill handily in the season opener (43-14) and will attempt to turn the trick tonight in a Div. 1 North quarterfinal. In a Div. 1 South opener, Needham will look to take care of Newton North again, having coasted to a 38-7 win in the third week of the season. Two other games pitting familiar foes include the Div. 4 South first-rounder between North Quincy and Plymouth South (NQ won the initial meeting, 28-7) and a Div. 5 North opener with CAL foes Newburyport and Pentucket (Newburyport prevailed, 17-14). In the Boston City League, North champion West Roxbury lost to Charlestown ,12-0, in the season opener, so they will be looking for a little bit of payback in a Div. 8 North opener. Tomorrow, Tewksbury will face Merrimack Valley Conference Small rival Billerica in a Div. 3 North first-rounder. The two met in the fifth week of the season and the Redmen handled the Indians, 35-14. Swampscott will look to take care of Triton for the second time in a Div. 5 North quarterfinal. The Big Blue had little trouble in Week 2, rolling to a 49-0 victory over the Vikings, 49-0. The ISL slate is a bit smaller as Lawrence Academy and St. George’s forfeited its respective games due to injuries and a general lack of numbers. The biggest game on the docket takes place in Cambridge as undefeated Thayer Academy heads to Russell Field to face highly regarded BB&N.