The high school football season has reached the halfway point, meaning that some teams have reached gut-check time if they don’t want their season to end in October.

Two teams finding themselves in desperate need of a win this week to keep their playoff hopes alive are last year’s Pine Tree Conference finalists, Edward Little and Lewiston. The rivals are both 1-3 and will have to go on the road this weekend to face teams looking down at them in the standings.

The Red Eddies head to Gardiner to face what will be an ornery host coming off a stunning defeat. The Blue Devils, who travel to Brunswick, are reeling after back-to-back overtime losses to Gardiner and Oxford Hills, division rivals who each trailed Lewiston by at least a touchdown going into the fourth quarter. Now the Tigers and Vikings are perched atop the PTC South with identical 3-1 records, while the Devils are trying to pick up the pieces from two crushing defeats.

“I think it’s going to be tremendously important to see how the kids are going to react,” Lewiston coach Bill County said. “Now our backs are to the wall and we’ll see what kind of character our kids have.”

Lewiston isn’t the only team awaiting a character test this week. In Class C, Lisbon and Livermore Falls, will trek into hostile territory to butt heads with playoff contenders hoping to get a leg up on them as the stretch drive approaches.

Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s action:

Tonight’s games

Lewiston (1-3) at Brunswick (3-1), 7 p.m.

The Blue Devils would just as soon forget about the second half of last week’s 27-20 OT loss to Oxford Hills and instead remember the ease with which they moved the ball in the first half. The offense went stagnant in the final 24 minutes, with the coaching staff at a loss to find a spark after the Vikings discovered a way to contain TB James Spaulding (38 of his 148 yards rushing in the second half). That spark this week may come from the QB platoon of Dustin Carrier or Chris Ford, whether it means making more plays out of the option or going to the air more frequently.

The surprising Dragons are coming off perhaps their most impressive performance of the year, a 46-25 comeback clobbering of EL in which they collected over 500 yards on offense, including 289 yards rushing from bruising FB Phillip Warren. QB Ralph Mims, whom the Dragons occasionally split out wide as a receiver, caught a touchdown pass last week and may play that role even more to exploit his 6-foot-5 frame against Lewiston’s small secondary.

Edward Little (1-3) at Gardiner (3-1), 7 p.m.

The Eddies fizzled last week after a strong start against Brunswick, taking an early 19-7 lead. Getting such a quick jump on the Tigers this week won’t be so easy. Gardiner is coming off a 6-4 loss to Mt. Ararat, needing two safeties to get on the scoreboard at all against a team returning to the PTC after an absence of more than two decades.

EL boasts perhaps the most underrated two-way player in the league in HB/DB Chris LeClair, the Eddies’ top play-maker on either side of the ball. The highly-touted Tigers’ defense will focus on keeping LeClair’s rushing yardage to a minimum and try to put pressure on QB Matt Bennett if the Eddies try to stretch the defense.

The Gardiner ‘D’ suffered a big blow last week when they lost one of their stalwart linebackers, Brandon Sirois, possibly for the year with a knee injury. But other standouts such as LB Nate Munzing remain on a unit that has yielded only 18 points through four games.

Cony (2-2) at Mt. Blue (2-2), 7 p.m.

Both teams took some time to find themselves, but both seem to hitting their stride just in time for this crucial PTC North matchup.

The Cougars are fresh off a 40-0 rout of Messalonskee in which they boasted perhaps their most balanced offensive effort this season. Lance Meader rushed for 170 yards and four TDs, while Garrett Lake and the passing offense totaled 153 yards. The Rams don’t even pretend to be balanced with their double-wing offense, grinding out yardage with an improving running game that chewed up 270 yards against Waterville last week behind Troy Pierce and Ricky Brown (two TDs each).

Lake Region (2-1) at Mtn. Valley (3-1), 7 p.m.

The Falcons are a bit banged up, though the defense hasn’t shown any cracks recently. Mountain Valley has gone more than eight quarters without allowing a point, including last week’s 20-0 blanking of York. Of course, the offense has kept its defensive counterparts well-rested with clock-burning drives directed by QB Zach Fergola, with HB Eric LePage and diminutive scatback Aaron Arsenault keeping the chains moving. Lake Region also likes to spread the wealth on offense, with Glynn Ross and Tom Daley the primary weapons for senior QB Josh Woodbury.

Old Town (0-3) at Leavitt (1-3), 7 p.m.

After struggling all season, the Leavitt offense broke out last week in a 44-0 rout of MDI. The Hornets should light up the scoreboard more this week, facing an Old Town team that has been outscored 186-8 this season. RB Chad Schrepper, the leading receiver and second-leading rusher in the conference, earned PTC Player of the Week honors with over 200 yards on the ground last week. Ryane Staples, the PTC’s leading tackler, leads the Hornets’ defense.

Lisbon (4-0) at Boothbay (3-1), 7 p.m.

The Greyhounds aren’t big enough or talented enough to run over opponents like the Seahawks, but they’ve had several players step up when they’ve needed it most. Last week, it was FB Tony Walker who came through with another workmanlike effort (83 rushing yards and two TDs) in their 20-6 win over Cape Elizabeth. TB John Tefft is the big-play complement to Walker’s short bursts, while QB Chris Kates and all-purpose back Derek Roy usually make the most of their limited opportunties to run the ball.

That same quartet will be called upon to make as many plays on defense against Boothbay’s vaunted double-wing attack. While the Seahawks are the masters of ball control with a big offensive line opening holes for 220-pound running back D.J. Holcomb (nine TDs this year) and Jon Farrin, they can strike quickly, especially when QB Ryan Babcock (174 yards passing against Livermore Falls last week) and TE Mike Norton have the passing game clicking.

Winthrop (1-3) at Jay (3-1), 7 p.m.

The young Ramblers finally picked up their first win of the season last week and figure to get more dangerous as their levels of confidence and experience escalate.

TB Tavis Hasenfus rushed for 204 yards behind an improving offensive line, and Jake Clark led a staunch defense that has allowed just 26 points in its last three games.

Jay’s defense also has improved. After holding powerful Boothbay to just eight points in Week 3, the Tigers shut out Old Orchard Beach last week, limiting the Seagulls to just 45 rushing yards. RBs Shawn Jacques and Austin Ouellette are double threats behind QB Justin Wells.

Liv. Falls (3-1) at Madison (3-1), 7 p.m.

Coming off their lowest offensive output of the season last week against Boothbay, the Andies hope to get back on track against a Bulldogs defense that has surrendered only 20 points this year. FB Brad Bryant is capable of a big play any time he touches the ball, and his threat gives QB Dane Hanson more room to operate with the play-action pass. Woody Noyes, Tony Fortin and Allen Berry lead a multi-pronged ground game for the Bulldogs.

Saturday’s games

Waterville (1-3) at Ox. Hills (3-1), 1:30 p.m.

The Vikings celebrate homecoming while hoping to maintain the momentum from a stirring comeback victory over Lewiston last Friday. The offense got big plays from QB Tim Cote (139 yards, three TDs passing), John Tifft (two TD catches) and Jim Bower (91 yards rushing, 82 yard kick return for a score) after squandering scoring opportunities in the first half. FB Scott Slack complemented Cote and Tifft’s deep passing game with some key catches out of the backfield.

The defense, led by Shawn Fanjoy and Kass Eells, also hopes to build off a strong second half during which they stuffed the Lewiston running game after James Spaulding rambled for 110 yards in the first half. Oxford Hills hosts a Waterville team that has lost three in a row since beating Mt. Blue in Week 1. The Panthers have had trouble moving the ball due in part to speedy TB/KR Matt Hilton’s sprained ankle.

Hampden (3-0) at Oak Hill (2-1), 1:30 p.m.

The Raiders look to bounce back after suffering their first PTC loss at the hands of Brewer, which took advantage of a couple of key turnovers in the Raiders’ end, then wore down the Oak Hill defense in the second half. Kyle Harrington runs behind a banged-up offensive line that suffered another blow when Robie Leavitt sprained his ankle. If the Raiders have to go to the air to compensate, QB Adam Labbe may work from the shotgun, in which he had his most success last week.

Tony Poulin and Ryan Gallagher lead a defense charged with slowing down a Broncos offense that has outscored opponents 103-14 with a power-running game featuring two of the top rushers in the PTC, John Higgins and Trainor Kapler.

Buckfield/Dirigo (0-4) at Traip (0-4), 1:30 p.m.

Both teams have played better than their records indicate. Traip suffered seven-point losses to Winthrop and Cape Elizabeth, while Buckfield/Dirigo trailed Madison 13-6 early in the fourth quarter before bowing 19-6 on a late turnover. Scott Wetherell gives the Cougars big-play ability on the outside, while fellow RB Craig Langervin is tough up the middle. Traip hopes to snap a 23-game losing streak led by QB Brandon Paxton, who has been good for at least one big pass play per game.

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