All three Warwick schools are back in action this week following Bishop Hendricken’s bye week, and each of them have some storylines going into their respective matchups. Hendricken will try to stay fresh for a tilt with Portsmouth. Pilgrim’s defense was beleaguered against Johnston and will have a tough task ahead against Moses Brown. Toll Gate has a non-league contest with Division II Coventry on the horizon, which could help the Titans improve for the stretch run of Division III play. The notebook’s got it all this week:

The Hawks (4-0) are about to face their tallest task of the year. They will travel to Portsmouth off their bye week for a crucial face-off with the Patriots. Make no mistake, as there is plenty at stake. A win would give Hendricken a virtual strangehold on the top seed in Division I-A, two games ahead of Portsmouth and one ahead of South Kingstown. The Hawks shut out the Rebels earlier this year, 35-0, so they hold the tiebreaker. However, should Portsmouth, which is coming off its first loss of the year to SK, come out on top, a three-way tie goes into effect with Hendricken, SK and Portsmouth all at 4-1. The Patriots’ defense allowed 21 points in the final few minutes of regulation and overtime to allow the Rebels to come back for the win on Saturday. If Portsmouth slips again, though, it could significantly impact its chances at a home playoff game. Portsmouth had a somewhat mythic start to the year, but the SK loss humanizes it a bit. The Patriots have the benefit of hosting this game, which will make a difference, but we haven’t seen Hendricken unleash its best players for a full 48 minutes yet. The Hawks in four leagues game have successively scored 28, 35, 41 and 56 points. I don’t expect 56, but I would figure somewhere around the mean.

Prediction: Hendricken 41, Portsmouth 14

Pilgrim (1-3) got into a shootout with Johnston on Saturday, but the defense will have to improve for Friday’s impending clash. Undefeated Moses Brown, the back-to-back Division II state champion, comes to Warwick Vets to face off with the Pats. The Quakers have allowed just a shade over eight points per game in league play this year, so there is no margin for error for Pilgrim. The defense will have to keep the Quakers’ offense in line, or the prospect of a comeback could fade early on. East Greenwich proved too much for Pilgrim a few weeks ago, but Moses Brown handled it with ease in its latest win, 42-7, on Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Michael Walsh was lethal, accounting for nearly 400 yards of offense and four touchdowns by himself. Pilgrim could convert some of last week’s offensive momentum into an early attack Friday, but the defense would have to hold the fort from there. The Quakers, clearly the best team in D-II, are just too much for anyone to handle at this point.

Prediction: Moses Brown 35, Pilgrim 8

Toll Gate (1-4) and Coventry (1-4) have both had taxing seasons thus far, but each can try to work out its faults against each other this Friday night. After upsetting Middletown 22-0 on Sept. 30, Coventry has been outscored 100-6 in games against D-II powers North Kingstown and Shea. The Titans, meanwhile, are coming off a 35-7 loss to Tiverton during which they allowed 28 unanswered after tying the game at 7 in the early going. This non-league game is perfect timing for both teams, because while playoffs may not loom for either, the final stretch can help build some momentum for next year. The Titans have a young squad and they are playing with house money in this game, so getting some offensive rhythm will be key for the final couple game of the year. Toll Gate has a solid chance to nab its second league win of the year next week at home against Hope. This tune-up should get the boys in blue and red in the right mindset going forward.

Prediction: Coventry 27, Toll Gate 15