After four fabulous, chamber-of-commerce quality Friday nights, rain is expected to intervene this evening for the first time in this high school football season.

Fog and drizzle might be an appropriate backdrop for some of tonight’s activities, because for a handful of local teams, losing the final game of September could mean merely playing out the string in October.

Edward Little all but extinguished one perennial Eastern Class A playoff contender’s hopes last week by handing Skowhegan its third loss of the month. Now, the Red Eddies could deal Mt. Blue the same fate.

Life is less stressful in the Class B division of the Pine Tree Conference, where eight of the dozen teams make the playoff cut. But with Leavitt facing Gardiner and Waterville in the weeks to come, a win tonight over Belfast is essential if the Hornets hope to draw anything less daunting than a No. 7 or No. 8 seed in the postseason parade.

The weather might change Saturday, but the stakes won’t when Jay and Boothbay lock up in a Western Class C clash with potentially dire consequences for the losing team.

Here’s a closer look at the weekend slate:

Mt. Blue (2-2) at EL (3-1), Today, 7 p.m.

The Red Eddies answered many questions last Friday, driving 88 yards in less than two minutes to trip Skowhegan, 28-22, on Troy Barnies’ third touchdown pass of the game. EL let a two-touchdown lead slip away in the second half, but the Eddies also forced five turnovers and delivered a crucial defensive stand to set up Barnies and flanker Josh Martin’s late heroics.

EL’s senior trio of Jon Demers, Chris Ringer and Ricky Chamness are capable of wearing down opponents as both the centerpiece of a grinding ground attack and the heart of a hard-hitting defense. Likewise, Mt. Blue flaunts one of the most balanced offenses in Eastern Class A, but the Cougars may be forced to air it out a little more frequently tonight. RB Mike Toothaker is out with a sprained medial collateral knee ligament and is expected to miss at least two weeks.

QB Joe Gilbert still has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Zach Farrington and Curtis Steele each caught a TD pass last week in a 25-24 loss to Mt. Ararat. Hal Robbins is an all-purpose threat out of the backfield.

Belfast (2-2) at Leavitt (2-2), Today, 7 p.m.

Only unbeaten Winslow and Gardiner have scored more points in Eastern B than Belfast, which is averaging 40 per game on the shoulders of a talented three-pronged backfield. Travis Lee (542 yards) leads the attack with almost seven yards per carry. Jon Walsh has also topped the century mark twice and is among the leading receivers in the PTC, while QB Jake Arthers is an equal threat to throw or tuck and run.

The Lions took Gardiner to overtime before falling, 35-34, and ride a two-game winning streak after routing Oak Hill and Old Town.

Leavitt, meanwhile, became one of the few teams in Maine high school football history to win a game 2-0, outlasting Maranacook by that tally last Saturday. RB Tyler Green and QB Evan Barker have combined for more than 800 rushing yards. Barker and Kyle Youland lead a defense that comes into this showdown off its stingiest effort of the season.

Mtn. Valley (4-0) at Greely (3-1), Today, 7 p.m.

The Falcons haven’t been tested, winning four Western Class B contests by an average score of 45-0. It’s hard to tell if the Rangers will provide a fair-to-middling challenge or be just another minor speed bump.

Greely won three straight games over relatively soft competition before succumbing to Cape Elizabeth, 27-21, in a battle of unbeatens. QB Sean Vaughan (16-for-24, 276 yards against Cape) is one of the league’s premier passers, and he has a reliable favorite target in Caleb Jordan.

Of course, the Falcons also have an all-conference talent under center, senior Andy Shorey, not to mention the explosive tandem of Devin Roberts and Justin Staires behind him. And the defense, led by Staires, Steve Lizotte, Thaddeus Bennett and Kyle Dow, has been nearly perfect.

Jay (3-1) at Boothbay (3-1), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Will the real Seahawks stand up? Boothbay had its way with Traip, Madison and Orono, but its one step up in level of competition resulted in a 28-14 loss to Livermore Falls. RB Max Alley, QB Roy Arsenault and TE Pat Norton lead an offense that will absorb its share of hits from Trevor McCourt, Zane Armandi and defensive-minded Jay.

The Tigers shut out Traip and Winthrop and allowed only a last-minute TD in an 8-6 loss to Dirigo. McCourt, Armandi and mobile QB Isaac LeBlanc give Jay a chance to control the offensive pace in most games.

Friday’s other games (all starting at 7 p.m.)

• Oxford Hills (0-3) at Brunswick (1-2). Dragons try to stay alive in PTC playoff hunt. Vikings have one offensive TD in three games.

• Madison (0-4) at Livermore Falls (2-2). Andies’ roll expected to continue against young Bulldogs, who allow 38 points per game.

• Falmouth (2-2) at Gray-New Gloucester (1-3). Western Class B’s two most improved teams collide in a game that should produce offensive fireworks.

Saturday’s other games (all starting at 1:30 p.m.)

• Waterville (3-1) at Oak Hill (1-3). Raiders have lost three straight, and the assignment doesn’t get any friendlier against the Purple Panthers, who dropped a showdown to Gardiner last Saturday.

• Lisbon (4-0) at Traip (0-4). State’s longest losing streak appears destined to hit 51 games. The Greyhounds hope to score early and often and stay healthy for next week’s battle with Boothbay.

• Winthrop (1-3) at Dirigo (2-2). Both need a win to keep playoff hopes alive. Cougars have given unbeaten Lisbon and Old Orchard Beach fits.

• Poland (0-4) at Fryeburg (0-4). This game launched Poland’s run of four wins in five weeks (later forfeited) to end last season.