In the midst of early November, each of the boys soccer teams involved in postseason play understand a couple of things. One being the fact that each upcoming contest presents a one-game season, and the other being that past records mean absolutely nothing. Each team's goal remains very similar throughout the playoffs — survive and advance to be crowned state champions.

The Masconomet boys nearly got there last year, reaching the state final before they lost. The Chieftains remain a force with a 14-2-2 record this season, but there's been a radical change in the tournament landscape for them. Instead of competing in Division 2 North, Masco is the No. 4 seed in Division 1 North.

What does it all mean? Well, the Chieftains will be going up against bigger schools and it remains to be seen how they'll hold up against them as the tournament progresses.

Masco head coach Len Emmons usually likes to let his seniors shine in their last state tournament, but he also knows he is going to rely on the underclassmen as well. Senior captains John Miller and Kevin MacAllister will have to play well offensively, while junior D.J. Clark and sophomore Chad Burke will have to play very consistent at midfield in order for Masconomet to make any noise in the postseason.

"We're very excited about this because it will be fun to play some different competition in the tournament, and we feel like we can definitely hold our own against many of them," said Emmons.

Also in Division 1 North, Peabody earned the No. 7 seed with a 12-2-4 mark while St. John's Prep could do no better than No. 18. While both of these teams might not be considered contenders because of rankings, they actually both represent great sleeper potential, with the talent and coaching necessary to make a deep run.

In the case of St. John's Prep, the seedings can be extremely deceptive. Just take a look back to last year, when the Eagles were a number 19 seed but were still able to manage a run to the Division 1 North final before falling to Framingham. Though their record this year is just 9-7-2, they've played some of the state's top competition and know what it takes to succeed in the postseason.

"It's why we play the schedule we do," said St. John's Prep head coach Dave Crowell, "We'll rely heavily on our goalkeeper, Steve Pasinski, to continue his great play by making some big saves."

St. John's Prep will travel to Everett tomorrow (2 p.m.) to take on a team they lost to, 2-1, in September. The Tanners, who finished 12-2-4, will play Cambridge at home (4 p.m.) on Sunday.

As for the Division 2 North bracket, Danvers rode a 13-2-3 record to a No.5 seed. The Falcons will be at home on Monday (4 p.m.) against the winner of the Lynn Classical-Malden Catholic game. The NEC Small player of the year, Chris Ciampa, has been a scoring machine for Danvers, but it will take more than that for the Falcons to make a serious run..

Marblehead got a No. 9 seed by finishing 11-3-4 and will play at Concord-Carlisle on Monday (2 p.m.). Salem recorded an 8-7-3 record for the No. 17 seed and will travel to Bedford tomorrow (2 p.m.).

In the Division 3 North bracket, Bishop Fenwick (10-4-4) is the No. 6 seed and will play host to Trinity Catholic (7-8-1) Sunday night (6 p.m.). Hamilton-Wenham, which had a magical run to the state final last year, was 6-6-4 overall this season and got the No. 10 seed. The Generals will travel to White Stadium to take on No. 7 Boston International tomorrow (2:30 p.m.).

While the stage is set, all that's needed now are some clutch performers and a little bit of luck. As each team will learn in the near future, momentum is crucial and each game can change dramatically in a heartbeat.

FENWICK NETS FIVE CCL ALL-STARS

Doug Garabedian, Brandon Ballard, Francisco Anzoatequi, Artie Newman and Conor McCormack highlighted the Bishop Fenwick selections to the Catholic Central League all-star team. Also garnering honors were Alex Glover, Julian Yourawski, a Peabody native, and Rob Goggin of St. Mary's. Glover was CCL MVP.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

SATURDAY

Division 1 North: St. John's Prep at Everett (2)

Division 2 North: Salem at Bedford (2);

Division 3 North: Hamilton-Wenham at Boston International (2:30)

SUNDAY

Division 1 North: Cambridge at Peabody (4);

Division 3 North: North Shore Tech at Austin Prep (2); Trinity Catholic at Bishop Fenwick (6:30)

MONDAY

Division 1 North: Worbun/Chemlsford at Masconomet (4);

Division 2 North: Marblehead at Concord-Carlisle (4); Lynn Classical/Malden Catholic at Danvers (4);