Week 5 of the high school football season features some high-powered matchups in Classes A, B, and C as teams seek to advance their own postseason causes while dealing rivals a crucial loss.

Messalonskee (3-0) vs. Bangor (3-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Cameron Stadium, Bangor: This has grown into a fairly intense rivalry in recent years, and the game is important to both teams as the issue of accumulating Crabtree Points needed to earn a playoff berth begins to come into play.

“We need to win,” said Bangor coach Mark Hackett, whose Rams have wins over Mount Ararat of Topsham, Brunswick, and Cony of Augusta – teams with a combined 1-9 record. “Every game for us is a playoff game.”

Both teams are seeking their fourth straight wins, with Bangor coming off a 24-0 victory over Cony and Messalonskee defeating Brunswick 21-12 last week.

The Rams and Eagles emphasize the run behind big, physical lines. Bangor’s Alex Gallant has three straight games of at least 100 yards, while Messalonskee of Oakland’s Danny May is coming off a 211-yard effort against Brunswick.

“They play a lot like we do,” said Hackett. “They run the ball to throw it. They’re tough, physical, and they want to establish the run.”

Leavitt Hornets (3-1) vs. Belfast Lions (3-1), 7 p.m. Saturday, at Belfast: Two of the top teams in the Pine Tree Conference Class B ranks square off in a game pushed back a day because Belfast’s 46-20 win over Old Town was postponed until Monday night.

Belfast and Leavitt of Turner Center both suffered their only losses to defending Eastern B champion Winslow.

Belfast relies on a strong rushing attack paced by senior tailback Sean Leeman, the league’s top ground gainer after amassing 130 yards in the Lions’ win at Old Town.

Leavitt owns consecutive wins over Old Town, Morse of Bath and Maranacook of Readfield, thanks to a high-powered offense directed by quarterback Tyler Angell, who leads the conference in passing yards.

“They’ve been playing very well,” said Belfast co-coach Butch Arthers. “We’re going to face the spread offense, and it’s their fullback that gave us trouble last year. We’ll focus on that play, and the other play that hurt us is the trap option, and that’s something we’ve got to figure out how to cover.”

Hampden (2-2) vs. Brewer (3-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Doyle Field, Brewer: Another key PTC B battle will take place in Brewer, where the host Witches seek their third straight win while the Broncos try to rebound from a loss at unbeaten Winslow.

Brewer had its biggest scoring night of the year at home last Friday in a 51-0 defeat of Mount Desert Island. Coach Ed Ortego’s club amassed 421 yards of total offense, 314 on the ground as fullback Ben Caldwell (117 yards, TD) and tailback Zach Wilson (88 yards, 3 TDs) led the way.

Hampden saw its two-game winning streak ended last Saturday as Winslow broke the game open with 24 unanswered points in the second quarter. Coach Harry McCluskey’s Broncos did bounce back after a subpar first half to finish with more than 200 yards of total offense, including 151 passing yards from quarterback Chris Morris and 41 yards on 11 carries from fullback Som Ratsakongsy, one of the top rushers in the conference.

Orono (3-1) vs. Foxcroft (3-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Oakes Field, Dover-Foxcroft: Two prolific offenses clash to highlight Homecoming weekend at Foxcroft Academy.

Orono is coming off a 57-40 win at Boothbay that featured an LTC-record 437-yard, seven-touchdown performance by tailback Mardy Simon. Simon teams with tailback Travis Dunton and fullback Nyasha Millard to give the Red Riots a formidable rushing tandem out of Orono’s split-T.

Orono’s defense faces a similar challenge from a Foxcroft squad with plenty of weapons. Eight different players scored touchdowns in last week’s 53-8 win over Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield. Spearheading the Ponies’ attack are fullback James McPhee, tailback Joey Caparrelli, quarterback Logan Forrest and wideouts Jon Catell and Shayne Croan, all working behind a line led by senior Josh Pelletier.

“They have so many weapons that they may be more dangerous than they were last year when they looked to Bobby Gilbert to carry the load,” said Orono coach Bob Sinclair.

Mattanawcook (4-0) vs. Bucksport (2-2), 7 p.m. Friday, Carmichael Field, Bucksport: Mattanawcook hopes to keep its perfect record intact in a rematch of a 2004 LTC semifinal won by Bucksport.

This year Mattanawcook is cast in the favorite’s role, and the Lynx are coming off a 66-6 win at Dexter that featured a 224-yard, five-TD performance by tailback Duncan Markie and a defense that held the Tigers to 56 total yards and three first downs.

Bucksport also is coming off a strong offensive performance during a 49-18 win at Stearns of Millinocket. Tailback Joe Robicheau rushed for 172 yards and a TD on 24 carries. Fullback Deven Eaton added two touchdowns and quarterback Chris Maguire passed for two more scores.