Top 3 high school football games to watch during Week 3 of fall 2021 season

It’s going to rain.

Or at least that’s what the initial weather forecast calls for on Friday and Saturday, which has forced some teams to move their games to Thursday to avoid the precipitation.

No matter the day or the weather, let’s take a look at the top games to watch in the MetroWest and Milford area this weekend as teams try to make it rain touchdowns.

Ashland at Wayland, 7 p.m.

So far this fall we’ve seen some intriguing non-league matchups.

Milford and Wellesley squared off on the gridiron for possibly the first time ever (at least nobody at Saturday’s game could confirm if the two teams had ever played before) and some other matchups like Tri-County vs. Millis and Nipmuc vs. Dover-Sherborn didn’t disappoint.

More:Daily News' weekend high school football schedule

This one is no different.

The Clockers come into this contest at a perfect 2-0 following an impressive 28-7 win over another interesting non-league opponent in Concord-Carlisle. Wayland, on the other hand, is fresh off of a tough loss to Amesbury (22-14).  

In this Week 3 matchup, both teams will look to control the line of scrimmage. Ashland senior running back Andrew Meleski followed his blockers to the tune of 158 yards on 21 carries and a TD in the Clockers’ most recent win and will look to do so again against the Warriors, who received a TD and 97 yards on 17 rushes from their star senior running back Shayne Sutton.  

Doherty at Marlborough, 7 p.m.                  

Off to its best start in a few years, Marlborough heads into Friday’s matchup with Doherty with a perfect record following wins over Tantasqua (27-0) and Shepherd Hill (27-21).

We don’t know much about Doherty (1-1) but do know that any time there’s a game at Kelleher Field, things tend to get interesting. Add a little downpour and you have a recipe for intrigue.

Outside of the lines, Marlborough boosters are selling T-shirts that read “WE ARE #HGSTRONG.” All proceeds from the shirts – and 50/50 raffle – go to former Marlborough High quarterback Hayden Ginnetti, who recently suffered a serious spinal cord injury and is currently at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. Ginnetti can’t feel anything below his chest but is in good spirits on his road to recovery. His younger brother, Camden, is a senior on the team and is wearing the same No. 3 jersey that his older brother wore in high school.

West Boylston at Blackstone Valley Tech, 1 p.m. (Saturday)

The Beavers had to wait an extra week to kick off their regular season and looked primed to claim Anthony Landini’s first win as interim head coach.

But a last-second, goal-line interception soured BVT’s season opener and left Landini speechless.

“We had plenty of opportunities to put that game away,” Landini told the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. “Honestly, I’m at a loss for words.”

Landini and Co. hope the losses don’t pile up when they host West Boylston on Saturday. Look for former Daily News All-Star John Furno to do all he can up front for the Beavers while talented do-it-all QB Josh Mateo handles the scoring duties.    

What else to watch?

There’s a big difference between being 2-1 and 1-2 to start the season. So seeing how teams bounce back from a Week 2 loss will also be on our radar this weekend.

How will teams with 1-1 records like Algonquin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis and Wellesley respond to a first bout with adversity? Can’t wait to find out.