The fifth week of the high school football season hasn’t brought much relaxation to the frontrunners as even unbeaten teams find themselves, at most, only one game ahead of their closest pursuers. This could be the week some teams start padding those leads.

Lawrence (0-4) at Bangor (4-0), 7 p.m., Cameron Stadium: This shapes up as a second straight hard-hitting, line-up-and-smack-’em contest for the Rams, who had to work hard to overcome a physical Lewiston squad last week.

The Bulldogs are sixth in total defense and seventh in offense in the Pine Tree Conference while Bangor is first and third, respectively, but something happens with this annual game that renders statistics meaningless as they both like to just hit each other. Senior linebacker Alex Pellerin leads Lawrence and the PTC in tackles with 65. Derrick Shain leads Bangor with 41. Rams quarterback-cornerback Chris Bombardier has 343 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception passing, but leads the PTC in interceptions with three.

Buddy Nickerson slipped to third in among PTC rushers after being held to 38 yards last week, but he is averaging 6.3 yards per carry with seven touchdowns total. Lawrence’s main back is Ryan Ackley, who has 291 yards on 50 carries, but Justin Walker is only four carries behind with 224 yards.

Hampden Academy (0-4) at Brewer (3-1), 7 p.m., Doyle Field: Hampden’s Broncos will try to snap a seven-game losing skid and the Witches will try to get back on the winning side as they try to build on their most successful start in 31 years.

The Witches’ depth should be improved this week as Josh Caldwell returns after a one-game suspension to join Seth Emerson (327 yards on 24 carries) and give back Brewer its 1-2 backfield punch. Evan Thomas (164 yards, 26 carries) and Tristan Grover (147, 38) lead Hampden. HA’s Joe Bryant and Kyle Dalton are second and third, respectively in the LTC in tackles (48 and 45).

Mattanawcook Academy (3-1) at Foxcroft Academy (3-1), 7 p.m., Oakes Field, Dover-Foxcroft: The young Lynx of Lincoln would take a major step toward the playoffs with a win over the Ponies, who look to have hit their stride both offensively and defensively. Sophomore back Ty Gardner leads the Lynx run game with 356 yards on 61 carries. Junior back Josh Sands is only one yard behind Gardner, but two touchdowns ahead with four. FA sophomore quarterback Josh Withee is fifth in the LTC with 256 yards passing.

Messalonskee (3-1) at Skowhegan (2-2), 7 p.m., Clark Memorial Field: Not many expected this to be a key matchup before the season began, but the gutsy Eagles of Oakland are proving they’re not awed by their jump into the PTC and Class A ball. This is pretty much a must-win for the Indians while an Eagles win would keep them one game behind frontrunner Bangor or get them into a tie. Messalonskee is fifth defensively in the PTC with 214.8 yards yielded per game. Skowhegan is 11th out of 12 teams defensively with 286.3.

Orono (2-2) at Maine Central Institute (1-3), 7 p.m., Pittsfield: It’s a huge game for both teams as far as staying in the prospective playoff pack. MCI tailback Tom Twombly is No. 3 among LTC rushers with 502 yards on 69 carries. Orono’s run game is on the shoulders of senior backs Jason Mishou (342 yards) and banged-up Ben Briggs (293).

Stearns (1-3) at Dexter (2-2), 1 p.m. Saturday: Not as significant a game as you’d expect from a battle between traditional LTC powers, but Stearns of Millinocket is fighting to get into the race after an early deluge of injuries contributed to an 0-3 start. Injuries also hobbled Dexter, which is attempting to shake off back-to-back defeats. This is the 41st meeting between the Minutemen and Tigers with Stearns holding a 22-17-3 edge.

Mount Desert Island (1-3) at Winslow (4-0), 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Poulin Field: The host Black Raiders will try to extend their unbeaten string to 16 games as they welcome the Trojans back to the LTC Class B ranks. Injuries have ravaged the Trojans as senior captain and two-way starter Basil Mahaney is likely out for the season with a knee injury and sophomore fullback John Lewis is questionable with an ankle injury.