We talk a lot about the teams at the top of the Crabtree standings. This time of year, though, the games that define seasons are often not between the top teams but between those fighting for their lives.
So, what are some key showdowns this week that involve teams teetering on the brink? Let’s dive into that and Maine high school football’s other top storylines for Week 6.
Who needs a win?
Early in the season, many people tabbed Cheverus as a potential favorite in Class B. Instead, after a shocking loss Saturday against Gorham, the Stags are in last place at 1-4.
That means Cheverus would be on the outside looking in if the playoffs were to begin today. The Stags could use the points that would come with a win over Marshwood (5-0) on Friday. Otherwise, they’ll have to beat at least one of Deering or Biddeford in the final two weeks.
In Class C, York (1-4) is ninth in a statewide field that will send eight to the playoffs. The Wildcats would benefit from a win Friday against Class D Oak Hill (1-4). Belfast, meanwhile, is one spot behind Oak Hill in D South, and should the Raiders lose, the Lions have a chance to move up with a win over Madison.
In eight-man, a Large School North playoff berth might be on the line Saturday when Waterville (1-4) travels to Houlton (0-5). With both teams having tough schedules down the stretch, the winner will have the inside track to the No. 4 seed, while the loser is in peril.
If you think we forgot Class A, we didn’t — but with many key games remaining and an extra week on the schedule, these teams have more breathing room. Still, South Portland (3-2) could use a win Friday when it hosts Massabesic (4-1) or next week at Noble (2-3) as he tries to move higher than fifth place in the South.
Thursday night lights
With 11 of them having already taken place, Thursday games have been a fixture in 2026. That continues this week with five Thursday games, the most since a six-game slate back in Week 1.
A crossover clash in Freeport between Class C Wells (3-2) and Class D Freeport (4-1) highlights Thursday’s schedule. Other games feature Camden Hills (1-4) at Cony (4-1), Brewer (1-4) at Hermon (5-0), Poland (1-4) at Morse (3-2), and Traip Academy (1-4) at Old Orchard Beach (5-0).
If it seems there are more Thursday night games these days, that’s because there are. In all, 18 regular-season high school football games will be played on Thursdays in 2026. There were 12 Thursday games in 2025 and 13 in 2024. In 2023, there were only six.
Why? Dean Plante, Old Orchard Beach’s coach and a member of the Maine Principals’ Association Football Committee, believes it’s two-pronged. Sure, there’s an officiating shortage, but Plante also believes that, when OOB got permission from the MPA to open the 2019 season on a Thursday against Telstar, it started a trend.
“That was the first year of eight-man, so we wanted to showcase eight-man by having it as the first game of the season, and it kind of took off,” Plante said. “I think it’s cool; you get to be one of the only games — maybe the only game — and that gets a little exposure for the kids.”
Cony coach B.L. Lippert said the Maine Association of Football Officials asked his team to move either this week’s game or next week’s against Brunswick to a Thursday night. Because next week is senior night for the Rams, the team chose this one.
“I don’t know specifically how dire the referee shortage is, but it seems like that’s obviously an issue,” Lippert said. “It might not be 50-50 Thursday-Friday, but there might be 10 Thursday games a week next year, is what I’ve heard.”
Can the upstarts keep winning?
Every year, teams that weren’t on many radars at the start of the season capture the state’s attention. A few meet the mark in 2026: Massabesic, Biddeford, Maine Central Institute and Cape Elizabeth are all 4-1, and Lisbon is 3-2. So, what to expect from those teams in Week 6?
MCI, 2-7 a year ago, might have the toughest task of the five. The Huskies host defending Class D North champ Winslow (4-1) in a matchup between the top two teams in the region. The rivals had some fun Big 11 Conference battles between 2017-22.
Massabesic, which missed the playoffs at 3-6 last year, has the aforementioned clash with South Portland. That’s a challenging road showdown for the Mustangs against an opponent whose only losses were hard-fought defeats to Bonny Eagle and Thornton Academy — the top two teams in the Varsity Maine poll.
Cape Elizabeth, Biddeford and Lisbon all went 1-7 last year. Cape Elizabeth (at 3-2 Spruce Mountain) and Biddeford (at 3-2 Skowhegan) make long trips north to face tough opponents on Friday, while Lisbon hosts Mattanawcook Academy (2-3).