Durfee hosts Somerset Berkley in Week 1 football showdown

Kickoff time at Mac Aldrich Field moved to 6 p.m.

Opening week, more specifically opening day, of the local high school football season presents one of the annually most anticipated matchups of the year: Durfee vs. Somerset Berkley Regional.

That intense rivalry renewal is one of four Week 1 games involving Greater Fall River teams. Durfee, Case and Atlantis Charter all play on Friday night while Bishop Stang tees it up on Saturday.

Diman Regional and Tiverton are idle this week.

Somerset Berkley at Durfee, Friday, 6 p.m .

Owners of an 0-10 record a year ago, the host Hilltoppers this year would dearly love to end that streak. Durfee is very young (few seniors) and not deep, but the Hilltoppers have speed and strength. Elighas Robitaille (center/defensive tackle) will be tough to miss. The junior checks in at a solid 6-foot-3 and 340-pounds. "The key for us is to stay healthy," Durfee coach taylor Brown said. "It's a tight-knit group. A lot of these kids have played together going back to the Fall River Falcons (Pop Warner)." … Somerset Berkley may be a team devoid of superstars but that, in past years, hasn’t stopped the Raiders from succeeding. Running back/kicker Brandon Medeiros, now a junior, burst onto the scene over the last third of last season, though he's out for the Durfee game. Robert Shaker, a significant contributor last year, is the quarterback and should present a challenge for Durfee’s defense. SBR (5-5) last year mixed more passing into its trademark tight-set offense. "If we can build up that team chemistry, I think we'll be OK," coach Nick Freitas said.

The start time for this game was switched to one hour earlier than original due to the potential effects of Tropical Storm Dorian.

Tri-County at Case, Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Coming off a 7-4 season that included the South Coast Conference Gold championship, the Cardinals return two top-notch skill players in speedy quarterback Daniel Silva and big-play wide receiver Clayton Dyer. Strong as well as fast, Silva is a big play waiting to happen. A key for Case may be how well the defense develops.

Atlantis Charter at Coyle & Cassidy, Friday, 4 p.m.

This game is Greater Fall River flavored on both sides of the line. A half-dozen of players from Bishop Connolly are competing for Coyle & Cassidy on a first-year co-op between the schools. Coyle & Cassidy had a strong 2018 season, advancing to the Division 7 South final, and the Warriors are determined to take the next step in ’19. … In its third year of varsity football, Atlantis Charter a year ago picked up the program's first W. Making Coyle & Cassidy No. 2 would raise eyebrows far beyond our area.

Roxbury Preparatory School at Bishop Stang, Saturday, 11 a.m.

While no one is expecting Stang’s offense to be non-stop three yards and a cloud of dust, the running game could be their long suit, even though they graduated their top skill players, most notably ultra-versatile quarterback Justin Lopes. Stang returns four offensive linemen, including guard/linebacker Joe Paulo and tight end Vito Consoletti.

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com. Follow him @GregSullivanHN.