There is a time in every football season where urgency flips to desperation.

That time is now.

Who wants to win? And who needs to win?

If you can differentiate and separate, you will find the victor as things get tight in these parts on the gridiron as teams play for their playoff lives and seeding that could make a difference between a one-and-done or a nice little run.

And so we come to Week 8, the penutimate slate of the 2019 regular season.

Another solid 7-1 has the big fella thinking big, as in keep the losses for the season under 10 big. What can I say? I’m ambitious, considering the fact that we are now 46-8 for the year. But another big week would make things interesting. So here goes.

Game of the Week

Merrimack at Nashua North: Not that The King of Nashua would ever allow me within miles of the place, but hasn’t Stellos Stadium played host to some regal showdowns this fall. And Week 8’s does not take a back seat.

Is North wobbling? It doesn’t appear so. And wouldn’t it be nice to shut out the Tomahawks and Nashua South, each of whom still has a faint pulse in the race to a share of West Conference crown?

I consider Merrimack dangerous. Very dangerous. Devin Wood is a game-breaker. Jared Dyer is a handful. And pound for pound, you will not find a tougher inside runner than Zach Twardosky.

Still, it’s the quarterback James Dowling and his narrative of nearly having his job taken then fighting off the canvas and delivering. Gritty kid.

I’ll call the upset.

T’Hawks 31, Titans 28

Best of the Rest

Bishop Guertin at Spaulding: Playoffs? Not if the Cards get tripped up on the Seacoast tonight. This crew has fought some serious adversity this year. Why stop now? Green-and-Gold lives to keep fighting.

Cards 14, Raiders 8

Nashua South at Dover: Another one of those tough trips East. Do you think Newick’s delivers to the high school? Somebody is craving fried clams. But I digress.

Seriously, this is one the Panthers have to treat like a business trip. Stay focussed. No stupid mistakes. And get your W.

Panthers 31, Wave 17

Milford at ConVal: The minute the final whistle blows, the countdown to Milford-Alvirne begins.

Sparty 46, Cougars 6

Manchester West at Souhegan: The Sabers could really use some good news after two straight expensive losses. The first quarter tonight is the biggest quarter in Souhegan’s season. Jump on the Knights and the night goes as expected. Give West a life early? And you just don’t want to go there.

Sabers 27, Knights 16

Monadnock at Campbell: If I had to make a pick on this one six weeks ago, I might have set a Campbell pick in stone. Now, it looks like a ballgame. Anger from a pair of losses to the Huskies in 2018 should be enough, along with one of the sleeper good home-field advantage in New Hampshire.

Cats 35, Dogs 21

Alvirne at Hollis Brookline: Hail to the Cavs, who showed up in a big way last week. That win was big. And this one could be bigger.

Is it possible to win four straight by an aggregate total of 152-14 and do it quietly? I mean, who knows what to make of these Broncos? Are they good, very good, or Hammer good? (“Can’t Touch This” … not … “Too Legit 2 Quit”)

Total guess here.

Broncos 38, Air Wimmer 34

Newsletter