It’s Week 8, also known as Rivalry Week in most corners of the state. It is a good time for rivalries to be renewed because, with the playoffs just one week away, the atmosphere ratchets up to near-playoff intensity in preparation for the second season.

It doesn’t say so on the schedule, but the playoffs actually begin Friday night in a few select towns. Various circumstances, most dictated by Aloysius Bertrand Crabtree, but one in particular involving a team trying desperately to salvage a forgettable season, have brought on the premature postseason. It is probably going to drive some coaches to the medicine cabinet for relief, but it is a tasty little appetizer for high school football fans.

Many teams already know they will be playing next week, and some of them, while they won’t admit it, are already looking ahead to Halloween weekend and all of the treats that will await them. But I’m here to warn a handful of teams that looking past this weekend could prove to be a mistake.

Lewiston at Edward Little — They say throw the records out the window when it comes to these two rivals. And since I am unwavering in following any orders that they give, that’s what I did. Now I don’t know who’s won what.

I do know that this is the 166th time that these two have played. And I also know that he Blue Devils, who already have a playoff spot sewn up, are still a
little ticked that they lost not once, but twice to their nemesis last
year, including once in the playoffs.

But an Edward Little upset would make what has been a nightmarish season for the Red Eddies worthwhile. This is their playoff game.

Livermore Falls at Jay — Another rivalry game, but this one has a little more at stake than bragging rights. The Andies can wrap up the second seed and two home playoff games with a victory. The Tigers are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot with a slim two-point lead over Maranacook (more on them later) in the Crabtree standings.

Jay leads the all-time series, 39-35-1 (see, they didn’t tell me to throw the records out on this one), but Livermore Falls won last year’s game in overtime. That may still be fresh and foremost in the Tigers’ minds. If it isn’t, I guarantee extending the season is.

Skowhegan at Mt. Blue — Why does it always seem this traditional finale has season-changing implications. Skowhegan has shaken off a horrendous start and, just as they always do, the Indians are playing their best football of the season. They’ve won three of their last four, including a 14-8 upset of Messalonskee last week.

If the playoffs started today, the Cougars would be on the outside looking in. A win over the Indians and a Mt. Ararat loss to Brunswick would vault them into the eighth spot. Essentially, the playoffs do start today (okay, tomorrow) for Mt. Blue. 

Oak Hills at Maranacook — The playoffs start Friday night in Readfield, too. Like Mt. Blue, Maranacook is in the dreaded ninth spot in the PTC B Crabtrees. They need to beat the Raiders, and some help, to get into the playoffs. Oak Hill, meanwhile, is fighting to hold off Old Orchard Beach and Winthrop for the fourth slot, which guarantees a home playoff game next week. The Raiders had better be ready to play with playoff intensity a week early if they want to be playing next Saturday.

York at Mountain Valley — Campbell Conference Class B still kickin’ it old school with a nine-game schedule. This is the penultimate week of the regular season. The “ultimate” week is next week, and some folks in Rumford and Mexico are treating it like the ultimate week because they’ve had Cape Elizabeth circled on the schedule since July.

I doubt Jim Aylward is letting any of the Falcons look past York, though. The Wildcats have only lost once, to Cape, and have a history of pulling of stunning upsets at what is now Chet Bulger Field. They would like nothing more than to turn the apple cart over and put themselves in one of the top two spots for the playoffs. 

So there you have it, Devils, Andies, Indians, Raiders and Falcons. Halloween may still be another weekend away, but this Friday night could be more trick than treat. Don’t say you weren’t warned.