The field is set, the preliminary rounds have been played, and there is no more room for error as the 2016 field hockey playoffs are ready to begin in earnest. Here is a look at what to expect in each class.

Class A

It’s been so automatic to hand the tag of “favorite” to Skowhegan for the past two decades, it feels strange to consider the Indians might finally miss the North final, let alone the state title game. But that’s exactly what Paula Doughty and crew are looking at, having earned the No. 4 seed in A North after a three-loss campaign.

Two of those losses, of course, came to No. 1 seed Mt. Blue, which as been slowly building its program under coach Judy Harmon. The Cougars enter the playoffs on top, having only a tie against Cony as a blemish to their record. They avenged that tie in style later in the season with a 7-1 drubbing.

With a young, high-paced offense and solid depth through the midfield, the Cougars will clearly be the favorites in the bracket. They will have to go through Skowhegan in a semifinal, though, if seeds hold. Looking at an upset early is Edward Little in the No. 6 hole. The Red Eddies face No. 3 Cony, a team to which EL lost just 1-0 in September. No. 5 Oxford Hills has the unenviable task of facing Skowhegan in the quarters.

In Class A South, four teams completed the season with two losses. Falmouth, Scarborough, Marshwood and Westbrook all finished the season separated by just 10 total points in the Heals, and any of them will have a chance to make it to the state final.

Class B

This group is typically York in the South, and then everyone else.

Not much has changed, at least in the standings. The Wildcats completed another 14-0 season and have now won an even 50 in a row. Their regular-season streak is up to 57. Some of their games have been a bit closer this season, and that is likely a symptom of the teams in the Western Maine Conference getting better rather than the Wildcats slowing down. They are still the prohibitive favorite.

Two area teams — No. 5 Spruce Mountain and No. 4 Leavitt — will face off for the chance to meet York in the semifinal round. Also in the quarters this week in Class B South is Poland, an overtime winner against Greely on Saturday, the program’s first playoff win in at least 10 years. Poland will meet No. 2 Kennebunk.

In Class B North, Foxcroft ran through its division to a 14-0 record, but the real strength of the bracket lies in places 2 and 3 — Gardiner and Belfast. The Tigers and Lions (oh my) each finished with only one loss, and in the only meeting between the two, Gardiner edged Belfast 1-0. Look for one of those teams to emerge from the top part of the bracket.

Class C

Always a packed division with teams from a variety of leagues, Class C South is way up in the air this season. Sure, Oak Hill is No. 1 and the favorite on paper. But the Raiders will have to be on their toes at every turn. Dirigo, lurking at No. 6, already has a win over Oak Hill this season, though the Cougars do have to travel to Traip for a quarterfinal. Lisbon stunned everyone last year, running through the playoffs from the No. 8 position after barely qualifying. This year, the Greyhounds are at No. 4, and host a formidable NYA squad in a quarterfinal.

And then there are the Saints. St. Dom’s, which played in the MVC the past few years, returned to the WMC this season, and enjoyed a solid year against tough competition, including a 2-1 setback to York. Yes, THAT York. Sitting at No. 2, the Saints will have to ward off WMC rivals Sacopee and Traip if they want a crack at the South final.

In Class C North, Winthrop crosses over and has a legitimate shot at reaching the final, but draws a tough first match in No. 6 Mt. View, which plays a largely Class B schedule in the KVAC against the likes of Gardiner and Belfast (yes, THAT Gardiner and Belfast). That may be the toughest game Winthrop will see.

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