Eighteen teams in Classes B, C and D North — including six with byes this weekend — have survived the rigors of regular-season play to continue their pursuits of a state championship.
But unlike the regular season, one more loss brings those dreams to an end.
Class B
No. 6 Lawrence Bulldogs (4-4) at No. 3 Brewer Witches (7-1), 7 p.m. Friday: Brewer is having its best season in a decade under second-year head coach Nick Arthers despite getting edged out by Skowhegan for the second first-round bye in Class B North. Lawrence, a traditional powerhouse, has won four games since its 0-4 start, including a must-win 17-15 victory over rival Messalonskee of Oakland in last Friday night’s regular-season finale. These teams met in a preseason scrimmage but not during the regular season.
No. 5 Cony Rams (4-4) vs. No. 4 Mt. Blue Cougars (5-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Farmington: Mt. Blue is coming off back-to-back losses to the top two seeds in the division, defending champion Brunswick and Skowhegan. But the Cougars have been solid offensively and stout on defense throughout the regular season, including a 20-6 win over Cony in Week 1. Cony combines an accomplished passing game with the two-way toughness of senior running back-linebacker Reid Shostak.
Class C
No. 6 Oceanside Mariners (4-4) vs. No. 3 Mount Desert Island Trojans (6-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Bar Harbor: MDI is coming off a strong regular season, but the Trojans must clean up the turnovers that hurt them in last Friday night’s 31-8 loss at unbeaten and top-ranked Old Town. Oceanside has won four of its last six games, including a must-win 48-10 victory over Belfast last week, but one of the losses was a 42-13 decision at MDI just two weeks ago.
No. 5 Foxcroft Academy (4-4) vs. No. 4 Madison-Carrabec (4-4), 1 p.m. Saturday at Madison: Madison is hosting a playoff game for the first time in 20 years and is 3-1 at home this fall behind quarterback Chase Malloy and 1,000-yard rusher Nick Morales. Foxcroft has fully regrouped after a preseason injury that sidelined two-way star Hunter Smith for the year. The Ponies have won three of their last four games, averaging nearly 40 points per game during that span. Madison-Carrabec was a 33-12 winner when the teams meet in Week 2.
Class D
No. 6 Houlton Shiretowners (4-4) vs. No. 3 Mount View Mustangs (6-2), 1 p.m. Saturday at Thorndike: Houlton used a season-ending two-game winning streak to secure the final LTC Class D North playoff berth by tiebreaker in just its second season of varsity play since being restored. A Mount View team earned its highest postseason seeding in program history, anchored by a big, physical line and a stable of running backs led by 1,000 yard rusher Tyler Ripley. Houlton and Mount View did not meet during the regular season.
No. 5 Dexter Tigers (3-5) at No. 4 Orono Red Riots (4-4), 7 p.m. Friday: Both teams hope to reverse some late-season momentum that has worked against them. Orono has dropped its last two games, including a 30-26 decision to No. 2 Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln last week when the Lynx used a successful onside kick to help complete a late comeback. Dexter has dropped three in a row since a three-game winning streak that began with a 48-22 win over Orono in Week 3. The Red Riots should look like a different team in the rematch, since quarterback Jackson Coutts and running backs Keenan Collett and Matt Fowler all were sidelined with injuries in the first meeting.
