Winslow, Belfast put perfect records on line Bangor, Oxford Hills renew intense rivalry

There is no shortage of headliner games on the week six schedule for high school football as Eastern Maine offers one in each class this weekend. In Class A, it’s the renewal of one of the Pine Tree Conference’s most intense recent rivalries between two teams with one loss between them. In Class B, it’s a battle of unbeatens; in Class C, it’s the top two teams in the LTC “C” ranks.

Winslow (5-0) at Belfast (5-0), 7 p.m.: The last two Class B state champs face off in a rematch of last year’s LTC Class B title game, won by Winslow 27-20.

Winslow’s passing game, led by the LTC’s top passer in quarterback Chris Langlais (28-for-53, 476 yards, 6 touchdowns) and flanker Sam Hapworth (17 receptions, 350 yards, 4 TDs), has been a key for the Black Raiders along with a stingy defense. Belfast has depth in the skill positions, speed to burn, and a diminutive but sneaky running back in Jeff Parenteau (105 carries, 871 yards, 9 TDs) who refuses to go down and plays much bigger than his 5-foot-5, 152-pound frame. Both teams’ offenses and defenses are ranked in the top five, so turnovers will be huge.

Bucksport (4-1) at Foxcroft (4-1), 7 p.m., Oakes Field: The top two East C teams are tied in record and Crabtree points and the 40th meeting between these two should determine the East’s top seed come playoff time. Bucksport holds a 23-16 edge all-time in the series, but the Ponies will try to feed off the homecoming week atmosphere. This game figures to be a squeaker as both teams feature speed, offenses and defenses among the LTC’s top four, and solid lines.

The Bucks’ main weapons are speedster back Warren Chase (365 yards, 5 TDs, 52 carries) and Chris Woodman (383, 7, 58), a sophomore who stepped in seamlessly when Chase was nursing a shoulder injury. The Ponies rely on backs Jeff Sands (404, 5, 58) and Danny White (383, 5, 39).

Brewer (4-1) at Mount Desert Island (1-4), 7 p.m.: The Witches are well on the way to their most successful regular season since 1996, when they went 6-3. The Trojans showed lots of promise in preseason, but injuries have been merciless on them in recent weeks. Brewer is paced by Seth Emerson (415 yards on 37 carries) and quarterback Sean Collins (133 yards rushing, 155 passing). Trojans back John Lewis may return to action after rehabbing an ankle injury.

Mt. Blue (4-1) at Edward Little (4-1), 7 p.m., Walton Field, Auburn: Mt. Blue likes to air it out with quarterback Foster Oakley (54-96, 745 yards, 6 TDs) and receivers Cole Parlin (443 yards, 29 catches) and Jason Shaw (143, 11). The Red Eddies prefer to hand off to Pine Tree Conference leading rusher Tom Hunter (854 yards, 10 TDs, 161 carries).

Maine Central Institute (2-3) at Stearns (2-3), 7 p.m., Alumni Field, Millinocket: Another big rematch pits the two East Class C finalists from last year, but injuries and graduation losses have taken their toll on both squads this season. This game is crucial to both teams’ flickering playoff hopes as the loser is effectively out of the race.

Orono (2-3) at Mattanawcook (3-2), 7 p.m., Alumni Field, Lincoln: After a 2-0 start, the Red Riots need a win to reinvigorate their playoff hopes. The host Lynx are trying to shake off a tough loss. Ty Gardner leads MA with 389 yards rushing and Jason Mishou paces Orono with 376.

Bangor (5-0) at Oxford Hills (4-1), 1 p.m. Saturday, Gouin Athletic Complex, South Paris: The last two Class A Eastern Maine champs face off in a rematch of the 2000 PTC championship, won by Bangor 7-0. In fact, these teams have ended the other’s seasons the last two years as the Vikings knocked off the Rams in the PTC semis in 1999. The Rams run with Buddy Nickerson, the PTC’s No. 2 rusher with 644 yards on 109 carries, and pass with Chris Bombardier (34-for-63, 494 yards).

The Rams are roughed up with two-way lineman D.J. Johnson (knee) out for the season, end-corner Zak Ray (knee) out at least two weeks, and fullback John Huhn questionable with a leg injury. Oxford Hills likes to keep its offense grounded with Travis Van Durme (606 yards, 4 TDs, 102 carries), but QB Tyler Wilson has completed 40 percent of his passes for 286 yards, three TDs, and only one interception.