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It’s a matchup of two teams with the same postseason aspirations, but in different eight-man football regions and from different parts of the state.

Stearns makes the nearly three-hour journey from Millinocket to Livermore Falls to face Spruce Mountain at Griffin Field on Saturday (4 p.m. kickoff) in an eight-man Small/Large School crossover game. The Phoenix (4-1), currently the third seed in the Large School South division, look to continue a strong pace since their 52-38 loss to Yarmouth on Sept. 19, which they followed with victories over Gray-New Gloucester and Cape Elizabeth.

The Phoenix are behind No. 1 Mt. Ararat (5-1) and No. 2 Yarmouth (5-1) in the region standings, and a win Saturday would cement a top-three playoff seed.

Millinocket-based Stearns (5-1), the eight-man Small School runner-up last year, has won three games in a row since its 34-20 loss to defending state champion Old Orchard Beach on Sept. 19. The Minutemen sit atop the eight-man Small School North division.

Keys to a Spruce Mountain victory

• Maintain offensive balance. On the ground, Spruce Mountain is led by junior quarterback Dylan Jewett (569 yards, nine TDs) and senior running back Austin Armandi (435 yards, 7 TDs). Junior Owen Kelvey (266 yards, 7 TDs) is an excellent complementary back. The Phoenix also have had success through the air. Jewett is 26 of 42 passing for 508 yards and six touchdowns, with no interceptions. His main target is junior Levi Richards.

• Stop the run. Fortunately for Spruce Mountain, this is an area of strength for its defense. Armandi, an inside linebacker, leads the way with 70 tackles. The group has forced nine turnovers (five interceptions, four fumble recoveries). Stearns has one of the best rushing attacks in the state, and Saturday may be the toughest test yet for the Phoenix.

Keys to a Stearns victory

• Keep pounding the rock. Though the Minutemen are looking for more balance in their offensive attack, the success of their running game is undeniable. Junior running back Cohen Raymond has more than 1,000 yards rushing and averages a jaw-dropping 11.3 yards per carry. Senior Lucas Pelkey has 670 yards rushing, with an average of 15.6 yards per carry.

• Apply pressure on defense. Stearns will need to shut down at least one aspect of Spruce Mountain’s offense. On paper, it appears the Minutemen can contend with the run game. Pelkey and junior linebacker Emerson Michaud each have nearly 50 tackles. Stearns also has seven interceptions this season, led by Michaud with four.

Spruce Mountain difference makers

• Junior QB Dylan Jewett (26 of 42 passing, 508 yards; 42 carries, 569 yards; 17 total touchdowns; 2 blocked punts)

• Senior RB/LB Austin Armandi (58 carries, 435 yards, 7 TDs; 70 tackles)

• Junior RB/DB Owen Kelvey (34 carries, 266 yards, 7 TDs)

• Junior WR/DB Levi Richards (11 receptions, 325 yards, 7 TDs)

Stearns difference makers

• Junior RB/DB Cohen Raymond (89 carries, 1,010 yards, 13 TDs)

• Senior RB/LB Lucas Pelkey (43 carries, 670 yards, 15 TDs; 49 tackles)

• Junior QB/LB Emerson Michaud (12 of 26 passing, 254 yards, 5 TDs; 48 tackles, 4 INTs)