Seven teams. Four spots.

Just in case somebody didn’t get the memo, the Pine Tree Conference Class A playoffs have essentially begun.

Sure, some of the combatants can consider it a double-elimination tournament. Brunswick and Edward Little don’t absolutely need to win when they collide tonight in Auburn, but the team on the short end of the big, maroon scoreboard will be forced to start doing long division and rooting for lower-echelon teams to pull off a monumental upset or two in the closing weeks.

The stakes aren’t much different this evening in Livermore Falls, where the Andies will try to continue their hot streak in Western Class C against the slumping Old Orchard Beach Seagulls. Somebody’s hopes of November football will take a jarring, open-field hit when the horn sounds.

Here’s a closer look at the key local contests this weekend:

Brunswick (3-2) at EL (4-2), today, 7 p.m.

Five wins would give both schools a shot at getting into the Eastern Class A playoffs. Six would make the Dragons or the Red Eddies a lock, and that promises a playoff atmosphere at Walton Field this evening.

Each team veered slightly away from its bread-and-butter to earn a hard-fought victory last week. EL has struck a nice offensive balance for most of the season, but the Red Eddies saddled up tailback Jon Demers (37 carries, 274 yards) to ward off winless and hungry Oxford Hills.

Brunswick does most of its business out of the gritty Wing-T behind a senior-led offensive line, but Dragons QB Russell Thompson completed long second-half touchdown passes to Connor Breisacher (90 yards) and Teurean Easter (27 yards) to squirm past Skowhegan. Easter’s catch on a desperation, fourth-and-goal heave broke an 8-8 tie in the fourth quarter.

Rugged Demetri Rosette and explosive Camden Miller are the Brunswick backs. Troy Barnies and his athletic, 6-foot-7 frame continue to make hay throwing the ball for EL as well as making life miserable for opponents who want to be successful through the air. Barnies, Ricky Chamness and Dylan Therrien each had an interception to lift the Red Eddies’ defense last week.

Mt. Blue (3-2) at Messalonskee (3-2), today, 7 p.m.

It’s the same story in Oakland, where the defending PTC champion Cougars come off a bye week the same way they preceded it: Fighting for their season. Health has been a huge issue, with three of its four captains hobbled by injury.

TB Mike Toothaker should be ready to return from a knee sprain. That would allow Hal Robbins to return to his customary spot at inner receiver and create another weapon for QB Joe Gilbert, who benefited from the healthy return of WR Art Trask in a 23-20 triumph at Edward Little two weeks ago. Trask booted a 38-yard field goal in the closing seconds of regulation that night.

Messalonskee continues to gain steam after following Gorham, Boothbay and Skowhegan in adopting the venerable double-wing offense this season. The Eagles’ lone losses were in overtime to Edward Little and by a touchdown against Bangor. QB Luke Thomas, FB David Hash and HBs Garrett Mosher and Matt Natole are equal threats to help Messalonskee grind it out and keep the Cougars in check.

OOB (4-2) at Liv. Falls (4-2), today, 7 p.m.

The Andies host this crossroads match-up at Griffin Field on the strength of a four-game winning streak, while the Seagulls have dropped two straight on the road after stringing together their four victories to start the season.

Livermore Falls loves to wear its lack of fanciness on its sleeve, turning loose Mark O’Shea, Mike Nichols and Kevin Gats behind a terrific offensive line that includes bookend tackles Mike Durrell and Rory Young and center Craig Jackman. O’Shea rolled up 149 yards and all three TDs last week in a 21-6 win at Dirigo.

Kyle Murphy is capable of just as much damage on the ground for Old Orchard Beach. The senior fullback is nearing the 1,000-yard mark for the season, and he has a capable cohort in classmate Casey Bisson. The Seagulls don’t mind airing it out, either. Freshman QB Dean Perrone has thrown for at least one TD in four of OOB’s first six games.

Jay (4-2) at Lisbon (6-0), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

So the Greyhounds’ streak of four consecutive shutouts came to an end last Saturday. Ho, hum. All the reigning Class C champions did was rip fellow preseason favorite Boothbay, 34-6, before an appreciative Homecoming crowd.

Jesse Moan and Devan Knight lead the Lisbon defense, while Dan Willis (115 yards, 2 TDs against Boothbay) teams with QB Mike Unterkoefler and all-purpose performer Joe Stevens to highlight an offense that is efficient as ever.

Jay is two last-minute touchdown passes away from being undefeated, and the Tigers have a knack for stopping good rushing attacks in the red zone. They stifled OOB inside the 30-yard line three times last week in a 26-7 victory. QB Isaac LeBlanc has emerged as an equal running and throwing threat, while RB/LB Trevor McCourt is one of the premier players in the Campbell Conference on either side of the line.

Today’s other games (all at 7 p.m.)

• Leavitt (3-3) at Gardiner (6-0). Another tough assignment for the Hornets, as the Tigers try to take another step toward home field advantage in the PTC Class B playoffs. Leavitt can compete but needs to limit turnovers better than it did at Waterville.

• Fryeburg (1-5) at Mountain Valley (6-0). Falcons won 56-0 last year, and Korey Staires and Devin Roberts have run roughshod over Western B to date.

• Madison (0-6) at Winthrop (3-3). Ramblers look to extend winning streak to three and avenge a loss that kept them out of the playoffs in 2005.

• Dirigo (2-4) at Boothbay (4-2). Cougars continue to stand toe-to-toe with the best in Western C, and the Seahawks aren’t the healthiest team in the league right now.

Saturday’s other games

• Lewiston (3-2) at Oxford Hills (0-5), 1 p.m. Jared Turcotte ran the show against Mt. Ararat. He faces an Oxford Hills defense that has struggled to stop the run.

• Oak Hill (1-5) at Maranacook (1-5), 1:30 p.m. Black Bears are the most improved team in Eastern B, and a win over banged-up Raiders would keep faint post-season hopes alive.

• Lake Region (0-6) at Poland (0-6), 3 p.m. Knights logged their first varsity win against the Lakers three years ago.

• Cape Elizabeth (6-0) at Gray-NG (2-4), 7 p.m. Capers could be unbeaten going into Mountain Valley for a showdown on the season’s final weekend.