Andover at BC High, Friday — This may not be the matchup of Week 1 — Xaverian-Everett receives top billing — but this nonleague game is quite a kickoff. Boston College recruit E.J. Perry pilots an explosive Andover attack that also features talented wideout Dan Gemmel, who is headed to Brown. For the Golden Warriors to make a run in Division 1 North, a win against a Catholic Conference contender is a good place to start.

O’Bryant at Brighton,Friday — For 25-plus years, Brighton played its home games at White Stadium in Franklin Park. After a long wait, the Bengals make their return to a refurbished Daly Field and its new synthetic turf against the Tigers.

Reading at Central Catholic, Saturday— The Rockets were denied by Nashoba Regional in last year’s Division 2 Super Bowl, while Central was humbled by Xaverian in D1. The Raiders remain in Division 1, but Reading moves up to D1A.

Xaverian at Everett, Saturday — If there is one game to attend the first seven weeks of the season, this is it, a matchup of two of the most storied programs in the state. A year ago, the Crimson Tide seized an early 7-0 lead before the Hawks rattled off 29 points for the easy win, the starting point for a 12-0 season. Everett finished 5-5.

Billerica at Andover,Friday, Sept. 16 — A stout Billerica team yielded just 8.6 points per game last fall (while scoring 33.2). The potent Andover attack put up 36.1 points per game. What a Merrimack Valley Conference showdown.

Brighton at TechBoston (Dorchester), Friday, Sept. 23 — Brighton, the reigning North City League champion, takes on Dorchester, the reigning city champ from the South. A good take.

St. John’s Prep at Everett, Saturday, Sept. 24 — No lack of motivation for Prep: The Crimson Tide tripped up the Eagles in last year’s Division 1 North quarterfinals, 12-7.

Westwood at Holliston, Friday, Sept. 30 — The first of two matchups between the Tri-Valley League rivals will go a long way in deciding the league race. A Week 4 victory would be a statement for Westwood, which lost the initial matchup to Holliston last year, 19-12, before defeating a Gillette-bound Panther squad minus its starters on Thanksgiving, 20-2.

Cohasset at Mashpee, Friday, Sept. 30 — Who will win the South Shore Tobin? Head down to Mashpee for this deciding tilt.

Central Catholic at Haverhill, Friday, Oct. 7 — The Hillies return 22 senior starters on offense and defense. Bret Edwards tossed 19 TD passes for Central a year ago. For the Raiders, it’s the kickoff to a four-week MVC stretch of Haverhill, Lowell, Andover, and Lawrence.

Dartmouth at Bridgewater-Raynham,Friday, Oct. 7 — B-R knocked off the Indians in last year’s meeting. But Dartmouth got the last laugh in 2015, as the Indians rolled to their second straight Division 3 Super Bowl title while B-R bowed out of the Division 1 playoffs to Brockton.

Catholic Memorial at St. John’s Prep, Saturday, Oct. 8 — Xaverian is the team to beat in the Catholic Conference. But what of the Knights and the Eagles? Both are capable of knocking off the two-time defending state champion. This matchup may be a good indicator.

Essex Tech at Greater Lawrence,Saturday, Oct. 8 — The Hawks and Reggies finished 1-2 in the Commonwealth Large division last fall, and their 2016 showdown should be the game in the conference this season. “Greater Lawrence and Essex Tech are the two teams to beat in our league this year,’’ Shawsheen coach Albert Costabile said.

Cardinal Spellman at Bishop Fenwick, Oct. 21 — The Cardinals and Crusaders each finished 9-2 overall and 4-1 in the Catholic Central last season, with Spellman taking the regular-season finale, 35-12. The CCL Large crown could be on the line when the Cardinals head north to Peabody.

Billerica at Tewksbury,Saturday, Oct. 22 — The Merrimack Valley is loaded once again this season, and that includes these two programs. A stingy Redman D vs. a potent Indian attack? A stellar matchup on the final day of the regular season.

Watertown at Stoneham,Saturday, Oct. 22 — Not only is this a marquee matchup in the Middlesex Freedom, but it’s also a rematch of last year’s Division 4 North final. And with this season’s divisional realignments, the Raiders (D3) and Spartans (D3A) will not face each other in the playoffs.

Emily McCarthy, Lenny Rowe, Owen Pence, and Josh Schrock contributed to this report.