After seeing its five-game winning streak come to an abrupt end against undefeated Leavitt, Spruce Mountain caught a little bit of a break Saturday from the football gods.
Spruce Mountain won a coin flip with Yarmouth and earned the No. 3 seed in the six-team Western Class C playoffs. Yarmouth will go in at No. 4.
The Phoenix (6-2) and Clippers (5-3) were tied in the Crabtree point standings after Friday night’s games. Because the teams did not meet during the regular season, the tie could not be broken by head-to-head results.
By winning the coin toss — held on neutral territory in Lisbon — Spruce Mountain catches a slight break, at least on paper.
It will host No. 6 Freeport (4-4) on Friday night in Livermore Falls. Yarmouth now hosts No. 5 Cape Elizabeth.
Spruce Mountain beat both Cape, 36-14, and Freeport, 53-20, during the regular season.
No. 1 Leavitt (8-0) and No. 2 Wells (6-2) receive first-round byes.
Other playoff brackets involving local teams fell into place more easily.
In Eastern Class A, No. 5 Lewiston (3-5) will resume what has been a great historical series with No. 4 Bangor (4-4). The Blue Devils won three of their final four games, including a thriller at home over the Rams on a late touchdown pass from Eddie Emerson to Quintarian Brown.
No. 6 Edward Little travels to No. 3 Windham in a rematch of a Week 2 game won by the Eagles in Auburn.
Cheverus and Portland receive byes.
Eastern Class B finds defending champion Mt. Blue (5-3) hosting Skowhegan (4-4) in the four-versus-five quarterfinal matchup. It’s an immediate rematch of a wild 42-40 Cougars win in Skowhegan on Friday night.
Brunswick is the top seed, with Cony edging Messalonskee for the other first-round bye.
Eight teams, including five local squads, advanced to the Western Class D quarterfinals.
No. 8 Telstar (2-6) won two of its final three games to make the cut. Its reward: a trip to face No. 1 Winthrop/Monmouth (8-0).
Oak Hill’s win over Lisbon on Saturday determined the No. 2 seed. The Raiders draw No. 7 Boothbay, while Lisbon hosts No. 6 Maranacook.
Fourth-seeded Dirigo hosts Old Orchard Beach in the other opening-round contest.
Eastern D also saw a coin flip. Fate smiled upon MCI over Mattanawcook in the quest for the No. 2 seed behind Bucksport.
koakes@sunjournal.com
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