When asked one recent afternoon whom he considered Lisbon High School’s sternest competition for a Class C boys’ track and field championship, Cam Bubar developed a look in his eyes that hinted he’d skipped breakfast and lunch.

“N-Y-A,” Bubar said, spelling out North Yarmouth Academy’s acronym for effect, then repeating it.

Almost from the moment last year’s individual medals and team trophies were handed out, there has been little doubt that the Mountain Valley Conference public school powerhouse and the Western Maine Conference prep stalwart have been on a collision course for the crown.

If everyone performs according to their seeded times and distances Saturday at Westbrook High School, Lisbon and NYA will finish in a flat-footed tie. NYA successfully defended its title last June. Lisbon, which has never won states, finished second a year ago and one point out of the runner-up spot in 2006.

To paraphrase the television catch phrase for a certain legal eagle, “Let’s settle this one.”

Six team titles and dozens of individual honors will be settled this afternoon. Competition begins at 10 a.m. and continues throughout the day.

The Edward Little girls are one of six co-favorites in what should be a donnybrook of a Class A meet at Windham High School. Auburn’s boys hope to overcome the depth of the Southern Maine Activities Association contingent on their side of the event.

Both Class B meets also could end up in a virtual deadlock at Morse High School in Bath.

While the EL girls were overshadowed slightly by the boys’ milestone of 100-plus consecutive regular season victories, they too were the scourge of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference this spring. With only one top seed – sophomore racewalker Christie Bernier – the Red Eddies hope to eke out a couple of event wins and flood the scoreboard with second, third and fourth-place finishers.

Bernier and Teresa Ranucci are expected to finish one-two in their one-mile event. Muriel Schwinn is a threat in four events: 100 meters, long jump, and both sprint relays. EL also counts on a huge day from Emily Dodge (100 hurdles, long jump, triple jump), Danielle Paul (1,600 and 4×400 relay), Abby Downs (high jump, 4×100) and Hanna Mogensen (400, 4×400).

EL and Scarborough hold a modest advantage over Thornton, Massabesic, Bonny Eagle and Gorham according to seed. The individual athlete to watch, without question, is Jesse LaBreck of Messalonskee. LaBreck is an overwhelming favorite in both hurdle events, the triple jump and high jump.

Bonny Eagle and Thornton lead the boys’ field. EL’s lack of a top seed or individual 30-to-40 point scorer could hamper the KVAC champions. Ben Hartnett (jumps, relays) and Josh Clark (pole vault) are the heavy hitters.

Mohamed Noor of Lewiston and Riley Masters of Bangor will run stride-for-stride in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Waterville has a shot to repeat its 2007 ‘B’ sweep, but the Falmouth boys and Greely and York girls won’t make it easy.

Poland owns the inside track to third place on the boys’ side. The Knights lean on Nick Williams in sprints, T.J. England in hurdles and jumps, and Tyrus Steinman in throws.

Maranacook’s Eryn Neptune and Poland’s Chelsea Bernardo should battle for the girls’ high jump title. Brittany Bell of Poland is the only 400 runner seeded under one minute.

Lisbon won the MVC girls’ championship for the third straight year, but Hall-Dale might be the league’s best bet to win ‘C’ state bragging rights. That’s because Ariel Howes, Magen Ellis and Laura Peterson could combine for up to seven individual victories for the Bulldogs.

John Bapst and Orono also will challenge. Don’t count out the Greyhounds, though. Lisbon has spent its season moving around the pieces on the chessboard to find the most productive combinations, and it shouldn’t be a surprise if several girls set season or personal bests. Rebekah Sullivan is a triple threat in discus, shot put and the 4×400. The Greyhounds also return three-quarters of the defending state champion 4×800 relay team.

The head-to-head battle between Bubar and NYA’s Henry Sterling in the boys’ 800 could be pivotal. Bubar also is a rock in the relays and triple jump. Kyle Huston (high jump, 100, 200, 4×100) is another cornerstone to Lisbon’s hopes.