When Bangor hosts Mt. Blue of Farmington in the official opening game of Pine Tree Conference regular season for each team, the contest could become a duel between Air Ireland and the Estey Express.

The game matches up two of the league’s three unbeaten teams. Both come into Friday’s 7 p.m. contest at Cameron Stadium with 2-0 marks and both have been led by individual players who lead the league statistically at their respective positions.

Bangor tailback Pat Estey is currently the PTC’s leading rusher with 250 yards and three touchdowns on 49 carries.

The main man for the Mt. Blue Cougars is quarterback Dustin Ireland, the top passer in the PTC last year and the leader again this season with 264 yards and three touchdowns. Ireland also leads the league with a completion percentage of 64.3 (18-for-28).

This shapes up as the toughest test of the season for Ireland as the Rams have the PTC’s second-ranked defense versus the pass, allowing a total of 61 yards in two games. Defensive back Mike Wilcox and linebacker Scott Philbrick have combined for four interceptions. Wilcox has three.

Meanwhile, the Cougars are ranked third against the run, having surrendered 196 rushing yards.

It’s rare to have a regular-season game this early in the season mean so much, but this could be the high school version of Tennessee-Florida: The winner could have the inside track to the PTC crown.

Belfast (2-0) at Brewer (1-1), 7 p.m., Doyle Field.

In 1995, Brewer suffered a 34-0 loss to Orono the same week Belfast notched one of its biggest wins of the year – 30-28 over Winslow.

The next week, the Witches played an unbeaten Belfast team tough before being edged 22-16.

One year later, not much has changed as Brewer is again trying to rebound from a big loss to Orono while the Lions are coming off a 20-15 win over Winslow.

“They’re a speed team. We should be able to match up better with them speed-wise than Orono,” said Brewer coach Don Farnham.

“Their ends – [B.J.] Bryant and [Joe] Littlefield – are the keys. Their game is built totally around their defense.”

Messalonskee (2-0) at Old Town (1-1), 7 p.m., Victory Field.

A battle between teams which could go in opposite directions as Messalonskee of Oakland is trying to stay among the elite teams in the LTC Class B ranks and Old Town is trying to get into the club.

Despite massive graduation losses, the Eagles are mounting another charge to the LTC playoffs. Old Town returns virtually its entire starting lineup intact.

The game provides a contrast as Old Town has exhibited a stingy defense the first two weeks – allowing 27 points – while the Eagles have scored 70.

Injury update: Stearns of Millinocket will be without at least five starters for the second straight week as the Minutemen travel to Rockland Saturday afternoon.

Fullback-defensive end Frank Bowley broke his fibula against Old Town two weeks ago. Stearns coach Art Greenlaw said the injury has responded well to treatment, is healing quickly, and Bowley may be back in three weeks.

The other four starters are out due to “violation of the school athletic code,” which automatically merits a two-week team suspension for a first offense. Greenlaw declined to name the players.