By Kalle Oakes,Staff Writer

One good showdown deserves another.

Having dispatched the first of its remaining undefeated rivals in Western Class B football with a smothering defensive effort against Greely last Friday night, Mountain Valley High School hopes to serve up more home cooking against the second, York, this evening at Hosmer Field.

York was the last team to defeat Mountain Valley. Since the road loss on Opening Night last year, the Falcons have rolled to 16 straight victories, including the school’s first-ever state championship.

Tonight’s schedule features another heavy-duty collision in Eastern Class B, with once-beaten Waterville and Leavitt unleashing the Pine Tree Conference’s top-ranked offenses at Libby Field in Turner. Playoff hopes in the Class A division of the Pine Tree Conference hover in the balance when Oxford Hills and Edward Little meet in Auburn.

Here’s a closer look at the most significant area matchups this weekend:

York (5-0) at Mtn. Valley (5-0), tonight, 7

Not many people expected the Wildcats to be unbeaten in the second week of October with only two seniors returning to the fold. To put it mildly, though, York’s first-half schedule was favorable. Tonight’s trip to Rumford begins a finishing stretch that also puts York on a bus to Greely and Wells.

The Falcons limited Greely to only 22 yards of total offense in last week’s 20-7 triumph over the Rangers. They’ll have to contain York RB Zach Pruger and TE Tony Romano to enjoy the same success tonight.

Mountain Valley’s inside-outside running tandem of Aaron Arsenault and Travis Fergola continues to dominate behind the front five of Kyle Dow, David Smith, Chris Taylor, Brendan Bradley and Thaddeus Bennett.

Waterville (4-1) at Leavitt (4-1), tonight, 7

Fans, players and even coaches were reluctant to embrace Waterville’s drop to Class B this season, but the Purple Panthers won’t deny they’re enjoying that winning feeling once again. Even with injuries impacting a potent backfield, Waterville has amassed over 200 points.

QB Dan Hussey racked up almost 200 total yards in last week’s 50-28 win over Oak Hill, and he’s on a pace to both rush and pass for over 1,000 yards. With HB Tyler Madore nicked up, all Mike Bernhardt did in his place was rush for 176 yards against Oak Hill and win PTC Player of the Week honors. FB Jon Hart and TEs Barrett Moore and Finley Allen are all-state caliber players, also.

They’ll meet their match with the Hornets, who are capable of an explosion at every skill position. Leavitt’s own double-threat QB Tyler Angell is also among the PTC leaders in both passing (604 yards, 6 TDs) and rushing (488 yards, 7.3 per carry). Corey Witham and Tyler Green have stepped up nicely with Chris Brewer (knee) out of the lineup. Witham and Ben Boulay are Angell’s primary targets.

Leavitt might have the edge defensively. While the Hornets nearly match Waterville by scoring 38 points per game, they’ve permitted only 36 total points.

Oxf. Hills (2-2) at Edw. Little (2-3), tonight, 7

Simply put, the loser is in trouble, with five teams tied at two wins in the PTC mid-pack and only one of those schools (two, at most) likely to make the playoffs.

Both teams have revitalized their rushing attacks. A healthy Jim Bower (182 yards, 3 TD last week against Brunswick) makes the Vikings go, while the Red Eddies have established the triple threat of Jon Demers, Garner LaValley and Kyle Bussiere.

Lewiston (2-2) at Mt. Ararat (0-4), tonight, 7

Last week’s bye couldn’t have come at a better time for the Blue Devils, who had an extra week to rest injured stars QB Chris Ford and TB Jared Turcotte after a 26-0 loss without them versus Lawrence. Turcotte, who topped 700 yards and scored nine TDs in his first three games, could be ready to return.

The Eagles played their closest game yet last week in a 25-22 loss to Cony, but they had trouble stopping the run. Brad Sturgeon was the defensive star with a 60-yard fumble return for a TD and 25 tackles. QB Josh DiBattista also is a threat through the air.

Lisbon (4-1) at Boothbay (3-2), tonight, 7

The schedule starts to get a little tougher for the Greyhounds, who have shut out three of their first five opponents.

RB Levi Ervin has already reached the end zone 15 times. He could pose problems for the Seahawks, who have both scored and allowed an average of 30 points per game. QB Roy Arsenault and TE Pat Norton have linked up for five TDs in the last two games, both Boothbay losses.

Around the region

Geographic rivals Oak Hill (2-3) and Gardiner (2-3) meet for the first time on the football field tonight in a game with large Eastern B playoff implications … Livermore Falls hopes to run its winning streak to three at home against Dirigo … One team will walk away 5-1 and in prime position to make the Western C postseason after Jay visits Old Orchard Beach tonight … Winthrop hosts John Bapst in a Class C inter-conference tilt … Poland tries for its second straight win Saturday at home against Falmouth. Also in Western B, Wells visits Gray-New Gloucester and Fryeburg hosts Greely.