The Skowhegan Indians will begin defending their Pine Tree Conference football championship in earnest on Saturday. They’ll do so against a Waterville team that nearly beat the Indians two weeks ago.

Lawrence of Fairfield will get a chance to pay back Gardiner for a regular-season loss. It happens during Saturday’s PTC semifinals, which begin at 1 p.m.

At Reggie Clark Field in Skow-hegan, Coach Paul Lynch’s Northern Division champion Indians put their 9-0 record on the line against the 7-2 Panthers of first-year coach Frank Knight.

Skowhegan rallied for two fourth-quarter scores in a span of three minutes to beat Waterville 20-8 on Oct. 19 at Skowhegan. Knight said that effort by his team makes it easier to prepare for the rematch.

“We’re not going up there wondering if we can match up or if we can play with them,” Knight said. “I think if anybody can beat them, we can.”

There are obstacles for the Panthers, who will go up against the toughest defense in the PTC. Skowhegan has allowed only 2.4 points per game, limiting opponents to an average of 44 yards rushing. The Indians also boast a PTC-record seven shutouts.

Waterville will go after Skowhegan with an option attack directed by junior QB Jason Jabar, who completed 53 of 100 throws for 782 yards and also rushed for 381 yards. Fullback Dave Fernald (699 yards) and SE Shane Boucher (28 catches, 444 yards) are the Panthers other weapons.

“You have to stop their fullback, then you have to stop the Jabar boy on the keeper and third, you have to stop Jabar throwing the ball,” Lynch said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to stop that seam pass and his throwing ability tomorrow (Saturday).”

Knight admits it is impossible to shut down the Skowhegan offense because of its extensive repertoire. Tailback Jarrod True (667 yards) and TB Doug McEwen (532 yards) head the run game, while quarterback Chris Jarvais (44-for-81, 688 yards) knows how to find the open receiver. Chris Tibbetts (14 catches, 271 yards) leads the receiving corps.

“They’re very versatile offensively,” Knight said. “I don’t think we’re going to ever stop them completely. Jarvais is just so good at picking the open receivers out. A key for us is to put pressure on him.”

At Hoch Field in Gardiner, the 7-2 Tigers of Coach Rob Munzing put their PTC South title on the line against the ever-dangerous 7-2 Bulldogs of Coach Earl “Pete” Cooper.

Lawrence is looking to avenge a 15-14 overtime loss to the Tigers at Gardiner on Sept. 14. The ‘Dogs must shut down TB Paul Lavallee, who is expected to return for the Tigers after missing four games with a knee injury.

Lavallee (343 yards) will be joined in the backfield by his replacement, Chris Whalen (393 yards). Gardiner will be without starting QB MChris Whalen (393 yards). Gardiner will be without starting QB Mark Ladner (508 yards rushing, 390 passing), who is ineligible after being ejected from last week’s game at Cony.

Sophomore Mike Choate will start in place of Ladner.

“We’ve been practicing as though there wouldn’t be any difference,” Cooper said of the new QB. “We’ve got to contain Lavallee. We kind of feel we have a chance at redemption.”

Cooper said the key for his team will be controlling the ball and establishing its pass game, which the Tigers shut down in their regular-season meeting, to supplement the run.

“If we’re getting first downs, it keeps the ball away from the Gardiner offense,” Cooper said. “We’ve got to hit those short-yardage passes and control the ball on the ground, too.”

Lawrence looks to fullback Chris Clark (517 yards) TB Alan Roy (290) and TB Kelly Dyer (243) to head the ground game. Quarterback Scott Walker has completed 42 of 104 passes for 479 yards, with Corey Pomeroy and Lenny Cole as his main targets.

The Bulldogs’ 214-yard rushing average ranks second in the PTC, while their pass defense (42 ypg) is tops in the league.