Back in August, coming off last season’s confrontation in the Eastern Class A football championship game, it’s safe to assume that neither Lewiston nor Edward Little circled this weekend’s road trips to face the Pine Tree Conference “expansion” teams as games that would define their season.

But they are.

With Gardiner, Brunswick and Oxford Hills safely ensconced in three of the four PTC South playoff berths, that leaves the struggling Twin Cities teams and newcomers Mt. Ararat and Windham scrambling for the final berth with two weeks to go.

In order for next weekend’s traditional “Battle of the Bridge” to have any postseason ramifications, at least one of the riverside rivals must find a way to reverse a month of frustration.

Elsewhere in the PTC, a possible home game in the first round of the playoffs is at stake when Oxford Hills travels to Gardiner. The Vikings have pulled off some memorable upsets at Hoch Field in recent years and are hoping for another after seeing their three-game winning streak snapped at Brunswick.

On Saturday, Lisbon’s unbeaten run in Western C faces a potentially stern test from Livermore Falls, a traditional nemesis dating back to the Mountain Valley Conference days.

Here’s a closer look at the local matchups:

Friday’s games

Lewiston (1-5) at

Mt. Ararat (2-4), 7 p.m.

One of these teams will keep alive flickering playoff aspirations with a win. Lewiston has played better than its five-game losing streak indicates, although overtime losses to Gardiner and Oxford Hills seemed to deflate the Blue Devils. Mt. Ararat, led by RB Jake DiBattista, has beaten division co-leader Gardiner and defending regional champion Edward Little.

It’s a matchup of two of the league’s toughest runners, as Lewiston counters the Eagles’ workhorse with its own standout, James Spaulding.

EL (1-5) at Windham (2-4), 7 p.m.

Windham recently enjoyed its first modest winning streak in Class A, beating Lawrence and Mt. Ararat before falling 38-0 to Gardiner last week. Junior RB Chris Molleur is tough between the tackles, while QB Pete Cekutis and WR Rob Larochelle are a threat through the air. For the Red Eddies, RB/DB Chris LeClair continues to excel as one of the top two-way players in the PTC in spite of EL’s recent struggles.

Fryeburg (0-5) at Wells (5-0), 7 p.m.

An apparent mismatch takes the Raiders, who scored their first points since September in a loss to Mountain Valley last week, on the road to meet the Western B frontrunner Warriors. RBs Luke Sibley and Kirk Jones lead a Wing-T attack that has outscored opponents 166-6 in its last three games. Fryeburg’s Andrew Stacy had a 45-yard TD run in a 34-12 loss to the Falcons.

Mt. Blue (4-2) at

Lawrence (1-5), 7 p.m.

The Cougars will be heavily favored to snag their fourth straight victory and continue their collision course with Brunswick or Gardiner in a first-round playoff game in two weeks. RB Lance Meader gets tough yards on his own as well as on the receiving end of quick screens from QB Garrett Lake. Mt. Blue’s defense, led by DB Nate Bolduc and DT Cal Miller, has stepped up its play in recent weeks. The Bulldogs are playing out the season with many backups in starting roles due to violations of the school’s athletic code.

Traip (0-6) at Jay (5-1), 7 p.m.

Traip’s three-year losing skid doesn’t figure to end against the Tigers, who have established terrific offensive balance as they speed toward the playoffs. QB Justin Wells, RBs Austin Ouellette and Kyle Richards and WR Marc Kelvey work behind a big, experienced offensive line. QB Brandon Paxton and RB/LB Brian Farren lead the Rangers, who are improved but have fallen short against the teams in their half of the Western C standings.

Brewer (4-1) at Leavitt (2-4), 7 p.m.

Leavitt needs a win to keep its slim playoff hopes intact. RB Chad Schrepper played through an injury in a 30-6 loss to Belfast last week. Tyler Poland scored a TD in a relief role, and Broc Hardacker also is a breakaway threat. Defensively, the Hornets’ Ryane Staples is the leading tackler in Eastern B. He headlines a defense whose primary task is to slow Witches RB Court Rancourt.

Oxford Hills (4-2) at

Gardiner (5-1), 7 p.m.

Lewiston and Mt. Ararat are the only teams to score against the Tigers, who have been smothering defensively all season and recently have picked up the offensive pace, as well. Gardiner has outscored its opponents 88-0 in two games since its 6-4 loss to Mt. Ararat. Senior Justin LeBourdais and junior Craig Toulouse lead a productive running game, with QB Seth Wilkins also emerging as a threat. Toulouse and Nate Munzing direct the defense at linebacker.

The Vikings feature QB Tim Cote, RB Jim Bower and WR Jeff Tifft in an offense that couldn’t quite keep pace with Brunswick in a 34-13 loss last week. Oxford Hills can’t afford to surrender 385 yards on the ground as it did against the Dragons.

Saturday’s games

Livermore Falls (5-1) at

Lisbon (6-0), 1:30 p.m.

Expect hard-nosed, run-oriented football in a game with obvious Campbell Conference playoff significance.

The premier matchup: Lisbon’s Mr. Inside (Tony Walker) and Mr. Outside (John Tefft) against Livermore’s Mr. Durability (Brad Bryant). FB Chuck Drake is a dual blocking and running threat for the Andies.

Don’t underestimate the quarterbacks, Chris Kates of Lisbon and Dane Hanson of Livermore, and their ability to throw in a close game.

Defensively, Walker and Tefft lead the Greyhounds, while LBs Bryant, Matt Brochu, Matt Belmonte and Garrett Young shine for the Andies.

Oak Hill (4-1) at

Winslow (5-0), 1:30 p.m.

The visiting Raiders get a chance to scout their possible Eastern Class B semifinal opponent when they travel to meet the perennial power Black Raiders. Winslow keeps the ball on the ground with FB Derek Runnells and HB Ryan Wintle, who have combined for over 800 yards and 13 TDs.

Oak Hill appears on its way to a third consecutive postseason appearance with Adam Labbe, Kyle Harrington, Tony Fortin and Ryan Gallagher shining on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Harrington is the fourth-leading rusher and No. 2 receiver in the PTC. Gallagher and Labbe are the heart of the defense.

Winthrop (1-5) at

Buckfield/Dirigo (1-5), 1:30 p.m.

This contest, which will be the co-operative Cougars’ first varsity home game in the town of Buckfield, didn’t look like a potential win for the newcomers back in August. Buckfield/Dirigo has acquitted itself well against even the top teams in the league, however, and should test the young, injury-depleted Ramblers. Look for both teams to try to establish the run, with Buckfield relying on the tough combination of Scott Wetherell and Craig Langervin and Winthrop leaning on versatile sophomore Tavis Hasenfus.

Around the state

Brunswick (5-1) and Skowhegan (5-1) collide in the PTC Game of the Week. The Dragons are headed for their first playoff berth in nearly two decades on the strength of a three-pronged backfield that features QB Ralph Mims, HB Devin Shepard and FB Phillip Warren.

In Western Class A, city rivals Portland (4-2) and Cheverus (5-1) meet in a big one at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

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