Auburn’s 8-2-1 record was not enough to retain a place in the boys’ poll, but the report says the team collected 10 votes from the coaching panel. Bromfield, at 5-3-3, was only one vote behind with nine.
The teams immediately outside the rankings are also tightly grouped:
That spread leaves Auburn and Bromfield vulnerable, but neither appears far from another opportunity.
Shepherd Hill’s removal is particularly striking. The report says the team’s 5-3-1 campaign still earned 15 votes, the highest total among teams outside the girls’ rankings.
That total is two votes more than both AMSA and unbeaten Bay Path, who each received 13. AMSA have won 10 of 11 matches, while Bay Path stand at 10-0-2, making both strong candidates for future movement.
Nashoba, meanwhile, received 10 votes despite a 2-7-1 record. Northbridge and Leicester also remain in the wider conversation after collecting eight and four votes respectively.
The boys’ ballot is compiled by eight coaches from the Central Massachusetts Athletic Conference and Mid-Wach leagues, meaning another round of results could quickly reshape the picture. The next matches will determine whether Auburn, Bromfield and Shepherd Hill convert strong vote totals into a return-or whether the teams just outside the rankings force their way in.