Lewiston (8-2) at Bangor (9-1)
Eastern A final
Friday, 7 p.m.
The skinny: They’ve met in the playoffs pretty much every second year since they were reunited in the same conference, with the Rams winning all but one.
How the Devils will win: Forcing turnovers and dominating time of possession.
How the Rams will win: With star RB Josiah Hartley chipping away all night until the dam finally breaks.
Fun facts: For all the fear and mystique surrounding Bangor, the Rams have won the PTC title only five times since the current playoff system started in 1987. Lewiston last reached a state final in that inaugural season of the East-West format.
Deering (8-2) at Cheverus (10-0)
Western A final
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
The skinny: No. 3 Rams have rolled through the playoffs, while the No. 1 Stags were tested by Windham and Scarborough.
How the Rams will win: Strike a balance between QB Jamie Ross’ ability to grind out tough yards and connect through the air.
How the Stags will win: Avoid the turnovers and special teams miscues that sidetracked Bonny Eagle against Deering, and stay the course if the Rams get an early lead.
Fun fact: Cheverus won the first meeting, 44-14, one of the Stags’ five victories by 28 points or more.
Gardiner (8-2) at Leavitt (10-0)
Eastern B final
Saturday, 4 p.m.
The skinny: Leavitt has won 22 straight games, none by a margin less than two touchdowns, including a 34-13 triumph at Gardiner on Oct. 23.
How the Tigers will win: RB Alonzo Connor plays the game of his life while Gardiner somehow slows down the Horners’ vaunted option game.
How the Hornets will win: Speed, depth, experience, big plays, defense.
Fun facts: Connor has scored 30 touchdowns … Hornets have scored exactly 400 points … Late start should ease the parking crunch at Libby Field. Giant, annual holiday craft fair ends at 3 o’clock.
Wells (9-1) at Mtn. Valley (10-0)
Western B final
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
The skinny: Falcons shooting for their fifth regional title in seven years and eighth all-time; Wells trying to return to states for first time since 1997.
How the Warriors will win: Score first and flaunt the defense that hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in a single game all year.
How the Falcons will win: Defense, defense, defense. Also, the leadership of QB Cam Kaubris and the comfort of Hosmer Field.
Fun facts: Rashad Lavoie’s 75-yard run on a botched punt attempt provided the margin in the Falcons’ 14-6 Week 3 win. Wells was held to 18 yards in the second half.
Lisbon (9-1) at Yarmouth (10-0)
Western C final
Saturday, 1 p.m.
The skinny: Greyhounds hoping to add another plank to their winning tradition; Clippers itching to start one.
How the Greyhounds will win: The way they have the last 25 (OK, 50) years. Manage the game, score points when they aren’t on offense, make a goal-line stand or two.
How the Clippers will win: Use the Wing-T to control the clock and chew up chunks of yardage while mixing in a game-breaker.
Fun facts: Bryce Snyder booted a 27-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to give Yarmouth a 16-14 regular-season win … Lisbon has won nine Class C championships … After a 1-19 start for its varsity program, Yarmouth is 18-1.
John Bapst (8-2) at Stearns (10-0)
Eastern C final
Saturday, 1 p.m.
The skinny: Crusaders, led by Bates grad Dan O’Connell, making their fourth straight trip to regional finals. Minutemen putting their program back on the map after a lengthy lull.
How the Crusaders will win: Another big day for the defense and QB Jordan Charpentier, who threw for 262 yards in a 35-0 semifinal win over MCI.
How the Minutemen will win: Get an early lead and grind it out with Ryan Hibbs, Billy Eurich and Charlie Tapley, all of whom were over 100 yards in 14-13 victory over Foxcroft.
Fun fact: Stearns won six Eastern C titles between 1991 and ’98.
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