Prep Boys: Worcester Academy climbs in Week 8 coaches poll

Worcester Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon in an early-season game. (Mike Gridley/New England Soccer Journal)

The NEPSAC tournaments are nearly here and the region's top programs are largely set in stone.

Still, there's some shuffling in this week's coaches poll, as Taft drops down the Top 10 and Worcester Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon are on the rise. Further, one Class A program narrowly missed out despite being unbeaten in over a dozen games.

At this point next week, the NEPSAC tournaments will be underway, so time is winding down on a late-season push into playoff soccer. There's little room for error, and New England's prep school coaches are well aware of that reality.

Could a surprise or two be in store? We'll soon find out.