Leagues, sectionals, and divisions
As this fall’s regular sports season draws to a close, now is a good time to reflect on the regional and state championships that lie ahead—and how they’re organized. It’s confusing.
During September and October, Bromfield teams compete in one of four Midland-Wachusett League divisions (A, B, C, or D) with six or seven schools of similar size, accomplishment, and geographic proximity, all located in Central Massachusetts. In addition to the Mid-Wach, there are six additional leagues within Central Mass. (e.g., the Dual County League and the South Worcester County League) and a smattering of independent schools.
Tournament season typically begins with a league competition, such as the Mid-Wach B/C golf championship scheduled for Oct. 18. Next come the so-called sectional championships among schools located in the same region of Massachusetts regardless of league. Formerly hosted by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, most—with the exception of golf—are now run by the Central Massachusetts Athletic Directors Association. This year’s MIAA Central division golf tournament, for example, is scheduled for Oct. 24 at the Kettlebrook Golf Course; the Central Mass. cross-country teams will meet for their CMADA-sponsored championship Nov. 18.
Last but not least come the statewide MIAA playoffs in which the top 32 teams within each MIAA division compete for a state trophy. Unlike the various Central Mass. conferences, teams within a given MIAA division can be located anywhere in the state—from Martha’s Vineyard to the Berkshires—making for a demanding travel schedule for a visiting team. The MIAA Division 3 cross-country championships are scheduled for Nov. 18; dates for Bromfield’s other varsity teams are yet to be determined.
Standings
With its 4-1 victory over the Nashoba Wolves last Friday, the Bromfield boys soccer players are now first in the state among the 83 teams in Division 5 of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Association. (See story on page 9.) Within the seven-member Midland-Wachusett C League, Bromfield and Oakmont are fighting it out for first place.
The golf team and the boys and girls cross-country teams are firmly in first place within their Mid-Wach C divisions and well-positioned to compete in sectional and state playoffs.
Help wanted
The Press is following six Bromfield varsity teams this fall: boys and girls soccer and cross-country, boys golf, and girls field hockey. We could use some assistance tracking the accomplishments of the golf and field hockey teams. If you would like to help, either as a reporter or someone to record match results, please contact John Osborn, acting sports editor, at editor@harvardpress.net.
Boys cross-country (league 4-0, all 4-0)
- 10/4 vs. Quabbin Regional, 15-48 win
- 10/11 vs. Hudson, NA
Upcoming meets
- 10/14 Bob Glennon Twilight XC Invitational (at Cape Cod Fairgrounds), 5:15 p.m.
Girls cross-country (3-0, 3-0)
- 10/4 vs. Quabbin Regional, 16-47 win See story on page 8.
- 10/11 vs. Hudson, NA
Upcoming meets
- 10/13 Bob Glennon Twilight XC Invitational (at Cape Cod Fairgrounds), 5:15 p.m.
Field hockey (4-3-1, 5-3-1)
- 10/4 vs. Tahanto Regional, 4-3 win
- 10/6 @ Blackstone-Millville Regional (N), 4-0 win
- 10/10 vs. Narragansett Regional, NA
- 10/11 vs. Maynard, NA
Upcoming games
- 10/16 @Clinton (at Clinton field hockey field), 6:30 p.m.
- 10/18 vs. Gardner (at Bromfield field hockey field), 4:00 p.m.
- 10/20 @Groton-Dunstable Regional (N) (at field hockey field), 4 p.m.
Boys soccer (9-2, 10-2)
- 9/26 vs. Groton-Dunstable Regional (N), 8-2 win
- 10/5 vs. Littleton, 5-1 win
- 10/7 vs. Nashoba Regional (N), 4-1 win
- 10/10 @Tyngsborough, 2-1 win
- 10/12 vs. Maynard, NA
Upcoming matches
- 10/14 vs. Algonquin Regional (N) (at Harvard Park), 2 p.m.
- 10/17 vs. Quabbin Regional (at Harvard Park), 4 p.m.
Girls soccer (3-7-2, 3-8-2)
- 10/5 @Littleton, 2-0 loss
- 10/7 @Nashoba Regional (N), 8-0 loss
- 10/10 vs. Tyngsborough, 3-2 loss
- 10/12 @Maynard, NA
Upcoming matches
- 10/14 @Groton-Dunstable Regional (at soccer field), 11 a.m.
- 10/16 @Leominster (at Doyle Field football stadium), 6:30 p.m.
- 10/17 @Quabbin Regional (at Alumni Field), 6 p.m.
Golf (7-1, 10-1)
- 10/5 @Clinton, 35.5-18.5 win
- 10/10 vs. Tyngsborough, 29.5-24.5 win
- 10/11 vs. Clinton, NA
- 10/12 @Oakmont Regional, NA
Upcoming matches
- 10/16 @Quabbin Regional (at Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club, Oakham), 3:30 p.m.
- 10/18 Mid-Wach B and C League tournament (at Northern Spy Golf Club, Townsend) 9:30 a.m.
Scheduled games and meets are shown from Friday, Oct. 13, through Friday, Oct. 20. The @ symbol designates an away contest (though sometimes field conditions require these to be held at home). N designates a non-league game. NA means a score was not available at time of publication.
—Compiled by John Osborn
