With three weeks left in the regular season, every team in the Pine Tree Conference Class B is still alive for a playoff spot. It’s the only league in the state without a winless team.

Five of the league’s nine teams have a 2-3 record. Two of those teams, Skowhegan and Brewer, play at Skowhegan’s Clark Field on Friday night. The winner will have a firmer grasp on a playoff spot, for at least one week.

“Most of my upperclassmen understand, we’re in the same position we were last year, basically at this point. We were 2-3 last year as well,” Skowhegan coach Matt Friedman said.

Here’s a look at the Brewer/Skowhegan matchup:

• Brewer players to watch: QB/DB Logan Rogerson, RB Austin Pagnozzi, RB Mark Smith, TE Tyler Davis.

• Skowhegan players to watch: G/LB Gus Benson, RB/LB Kaleb Brown, DE Ryan Prentiss, QB Nate Morris, TE/S Sam Baker.

• Brewer coach Nick Arthers on Skowhegan: “They have a very good defense that swarms to the ball. They run the ball well. They’re a very good team overall, and their record doesn’t show what kind of team they are.”

• Skowhegan coach Matt Friedman on Brewer: “They’re another big, physical team. They’re bigger than us up front. They like to run the football. They have an athletic quarterback (Rogerson) who can throw the football, but he likes to do things with his feet.”

• Three keys for Brewer

1. Control the line of scrimmage. The Witches have a size advantage over Skowhegan on the line. They need to use it to get a push on both sides of the ball. “We do good things on offense up front at times,” Arthers said. “It still a learning process.”

2. Account for Gus Benson. Skowhegan’s senior linebacker is a tackling machine. His season-low for tackles in a game is 16. The Witches need to do their best to keep Benson away from the ball, but that’s easier said than done.

3. Excel at special teams. A long Pagnozzi kick return helped set up a Brewer touchdown in last week’s 14-8 win over Gardiner.

“Special teams has been an issue for us,” Friedman said.

• Three keys for Skowhegan.

1. Find offensive balance. The Indians run the ball very well, but more consistency in the passing game could keep the Witches defense guessing.

2. Contain Rogerson. The Witches quarterback is a playmaker. Skowhegan needs to keep him from breaking off big plays.

3. Clean up special teams mistakes. A blocked punt and a roughing the kicker penalty helped set Brunswick up for scoring drives in a win over Skowhegan two weeks ago. In a close game, those mistakes will cost the Indians.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM

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