Don’t call the Western Class C football playoffs the Winthrop Invitational.

No doubt the Ramblers are an odds-on favorite to win their first regional crown in eight years, especially now that the road to Fitzpatrick Stadium passes through the intimate fishbowl that is Maxwell Field.

While the Campbell Conference looked like Winthrop’s personal playground in September, the Ramblers encountered enough would-be bullies in October to recognize that November won’t be a glorified recess.

Four traditional Mountain Valley Conference schools headline the proceedings, which crank up at 7 p.m. tonight when Winthrop hosts Livermore Falls. Lisbon travels to Dixfield for a battle with Dirigo at 1 p.m. Saturday in the other semifinal.

Here’s an inside look at the two contests:

#4 Livermore Falls (5-4) at #1-Winthrop (9-0)

Still needing a win to secure home field throughout the Western C playoffs, Winthrop scored three early touchdowns last week and cruised to a 24-6 victory at Lisbon.

After five relative cakewalks, Winthrop handled each of its three fellow postseason qualifiers over the final four weeks.

“They can’t see we haven’t won a big game, and they can’t say our offense and defense haven’t been tested,” said Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton.

Livermore Falls’ gritty defense held high-powered Winthrop scoreless in the first half two weeks ago before the Ramblers squirmed away with a 16-0 victory.

That defense rescued the Andies’ playoff hopes with five recoveries last Friday night.

Nate Michaud picked up a fumble to prevent Jay from running out the clock, and Jeff Ryder’s ensuing touchdown run and Kyle Stebbins’ extra point kick sent the annual tussle with the Tigers to overtime.

Chandler White ran 10 yards to paydirt on Livermore Falls’ first play of the extra session. Shawn Whiting’s interception sealed the win and a berth in the final four.

“Our kids just hung around and hung around, and that’s what they’ve done all year. They’re tough,” said Livermore Falls coach Brad Bishop. “We’re just very fortunate. We got the booby prize and get to go to Winthrop again, but we’ll be ready. We played them tough last time. You never know.”

The Andies employ a Wing-T with Stebbins, White and Ryder sharing the load. Each is a heavy contributor defensively along with Whiting and Zach Brochu.

Winthrop’s four-pronged backfield of Jake Steele, Riley Cobb, Skyler Whaley and Joe Morey gives the Ramblers similar depth, although they’re apt to line up in more different formations than the Andies.

And the x-factor may be quarterback Jordan Conant, who is one of the top passers in the state with Andrew Smithgall, Zach Farrington, Jason Raymond and Steele at his disposal.

“These kids have a lot of maturity. That’s just huge for us this year. They don’t get rattled,” said Stoneton.

Kevin Hart, Corey Staples, Chris Minor and Steele ignite a defense that didn’t allow a touchdown for six games until Lisbon scored in the second half last week.

#3-Lisbon (7-2) at #2-Dirigo (8-1)

The Cougars storm into the playoffs for the first time since 1989, when they lost to eventual state champion Madison in a regional quarterfinal. Dirigo dropped the sport for more than a decade shortly thereafter.

On the heels of a 5-4 campaign – Heal Points broke a three-way tie for the final playoff spot in Old Orchard Beach’s favor – Dirigo declared itself a contender with a convincing 24-7 victory over Lisbon in Week 1.

Neither team has hiccuped since. Dirigo’s only blemish was a 13-6 loss to Winthrop. Lisbon rattled off seven victories in a row before falling to the Ramblers last Saturday.

Special teams are a cornerstone on both sides. Spencer Ross has returned four kicks for touchdowns over the last two weeks for Dirigo. Teammate Eric Bolduc has field goal range from 40 yards and beyond.

Nate Blackwell often helps Lisbon win the battle of field position as a kicker and punter. The senior is also a double-threat quarterback. Tobey Harrington, Jake Cyr, Alex Hall and Scott Eck have taken turns as versatile playmakers for the Greyhounds.

Offensively, Dirigo has the ability to ride Nic Crutchfield’s arm or the churning legs of Josh Palmer and Garrett Flagg to victory.

In this week’s Eastern Class C playoffs, No. 4 Calais is at No. 1 Bucksport, while No. 3 Foxcroft drops in on No. 2 John Bapst of Bangor.