It’s Week 7 of the Maine high school football season. At this time of the year, it becomes mostly apparent which teams are headed to the playoffs and which are already thinking about the winter sports season.

But there are still some divisions up for grabs in the final two weeks (or three weeks for Class A), beginning with the one that leads our four storylines of the week.

The fight over B South

The top spot in Class B South remains in the hands of perennial powerhouse Kennebunk (5-1). But after the Rams fell 20-0 to Westbrook last Saturday, some intriguing scenarios remain.

Kennebunk is strong again, particularly on defense, where the Rams are allowing just 12.3 points per game. But the competition is rising in the region, shown by Kennebunk’s loss to the Blue Blazes as well as a 22-21 win in an overtime thriller against Cheverus on Sept. 20.

Under coach Sam Johnson, Westbrook — which went 7-17, with one playoff appearance, from 2022-24 — has had the biggest turnaround in the region this season. The Blue Blazes (5-1) hold the No. 2 seed and have won four straight games. They are averaging 40.7 points per game and allowing just 11 per game in that stretch.

No. 3 Marshwood (4-2) and No. 4 Cheverus (4-2) still have an outside shot at the top seed, but each needs to win its final two games and get some help. Cheverus, under second-year head coach Skip Capone, suffered one-point losses to Kennebunk and Marshwood but has shown it can be a playoff contender.

Battle for No. 1 in A North

Just two weeks ago, it seemed Portland had a firm hold on the top spot in Class A North with a 4-0 record. But after back-to-back losses to Thornton Academy (5-1) and Bonny Eagle (6-0), that grip isn’t as strong as it once was.

Portland still has plenty of weapons, led by reigning Gatorade Player of the Year Cordell Jones and junior Alex Martin. But in the past two weeks, the Bulldogs have been outscored by a 70-7 margin. Meanwhile, No. 2 Bangor (4-2) has found its footing, winning its past two games after a 42-26 loss to Portland on Sept. 26.

The Bulldogs have ample opportunity to finish the regular season on a high note, starting with Friday’s matchup at Lewiston (0-6). Portland plays on the road next week against Exeter, New Hampshire, before hosting rival South Portland in the regular-season finale Oct. 31.

Two-class crossover for Winthrop

Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale coach Joel Stoneton isn’t one to back away from a challenge. But it will be an interesting matchup Friday night when Winthrop (6-0), the No. 1 team in Class D South, travels to Farmington to take on Class B North opponent Mt. Blue (1-5).

The schools actually have a gridiron history that dates to 1915, when Winthrop would play Wilton Academy and, later, Farmington High School. However, Friday is the first regular-season game the schools have played against one another since Oct. 12, 1968, when Winthrop beat Mt. Blue, 30-0. The series is deadlocked in a 23-23 tie.

In spite of the two-class crossover, the Ramblers will enter as the favorite. Their offense has been riding the ground success of Carter Rand (81 carries, 514 yards, 5 TDs) and Ross Fichthorn (90 carries, 481 yards, 7 TDs). Defensively, Winthrop is led by linebacker Brock Dewar, who has 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.

Mt. Blue is fighting its way through its first season under coach Craig Collins. The Cougars earned their only win on Sept. 20, a 20-8 victory at Brunswick.

Stearns rides strong ground game in 8-man Small North

Millinocket-based Stearns has been a force in eight-man football for the last three seasons, highlighted by a trip to the Small School championship game last year.

This fall the Minutemen (5-1) seem well on their way to another deep playoff run. Offensively, they are led by junior Cohen Raymond, who has rushed for 1,010 yards and 13 touchdowns on 89 carries (11.3 yards per carry). He’s joined by senior Lucas Pelkey, who has 670 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 43 carries.

Stearns’ current challenge is trying to find balance with the passing game. Emerson Michaud has shown some promise, going 12 of 26 for 254 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Minutemen, ranked No. 1 in the eight-man Small North division, have a test in Livermore Falls on Saturday (4 p.m. kickoff) against Spruce Mountain (4-1), the No. 3 seed in the Large South division.