Dirigo’s Hudson Lufkin runs upfield as Winthrop’s Gabe Robinson attempts to tackle him during a Class D South semifinal in Winthrop. The Cougars and the Ramblers meet Sept. 26 in Dixfield. (Anna Chadwick/Staff Photographer)

Dirigo at Lisbon, Friday: The Greyhounds’ return to football after a hazing investigation forced the cancellation their final four games last season is one of the major storylines of the 2025 season. New coach Walter Polky’s team has its hands full right away against Dirigo, which has its own new coach in Joshua Newhall and is looking to contend for a title.

Oak Hill at Winthrop, Friday: The Ramblers’ Class D South semifinal win over the Raiders in 2023 came on a last-second field goal. In last year’s regular-season rematch, all that separated the two in Winthrop’s 22-21 victory was a missed extra point. With both teams among the best in D South again this fall, another tight battle is likely.

Winthrop at Dirigo, Sept. 26: Two-loss teams a year ago, the Ramblers and Cougars should be strong teams again in 2025 after meeting in the D South semifinals last season. Whoever prevails in this midseason rematch in Dixfield could establish itself as the toast of Class D and get the inside track to the region’s No. 1 seed in November.

Leavitt at Wells, Oct. 3: Leavitt has won six straight games against Wells since the Warriors beat the Hornets in the 2011 Class B state final. Wells, which is back in Class C after winning two straight Class D titles, hopes to reverse that trend, but a Hornets team with Mason Henderson, one the state’s best athletes, will provide a challenge.

Edward Little at Lewiston, Nov. 1: No matter the records, the Battle of the Bridge is always one of the biggest regular-season games in the area, and this clash at Don Roux Field is no different. With the Blue Devils entering a rebuilding year after a stretch of success from 2022-24, the Red Eddies have a shot at their first win in the rivalry since 2018.