Nashua North's Amaury Almonte tries to run through a tackle attempt by Bedford's Evan Cibotti during their meeting back on Sept. 2. North is at Merrimack tonight while Bedford returns to Stellos Stadium on Saturday to face Bishop Guertin. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

We are hitting the critical time for local high school football, when the separation begins.

We got a preview of it last week with a couple of big games; this weekend there are two huge games involving locals: Nashua North at Merrimack tonight, and Bedford at Bishop Guertin on Saturday night.

Here’s a look at where your favorite team is this weekend:

FRIDAY

DIVISION I

NASHUA NORTH (5-0) at MERRIMACK (4-1, 4-2 overall)

WHEN:Tonight, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: MHS Student Memorial Field.

LAST WEEK: Merrimack 24, Spaulding 12; Nashua North did not play.

LAST YEAR: Nashua North 44, Merrimack 43.

FYI: A lot will depend on how soon the Titans can shake off the rust of not playing last week, their game with Alvirne cancelled. For them offensively the ball with be in the hands of QB Derek Finlay; defensively, leaders Toby Brown, Jr. and Jack Peters will have to deal with Merrimack back Reimello Hyde but also Tomhawks QB Trent Jackson to strike quickly with his arm at any time. Should be a fantastic game.

PREDICTION: Nashua North 34, Merimack 28.

KEENE (1-5) at NASHUA SOUTH (0-6)

WHEN: Tonight at 6:30.

WHERE: Stellos Stadium.

LAST WEEK: Concord 42, Nashua South 24; Portsmouth-Oyster River 35, Keene 14.

LAST YEAR: Keene 30, Nashua South 6.

FYI: This is a contest between two teams who clearly expected better seasons to salvage something out of a tough fall. The Panthers are looking for their first win while the Blackbirds have lost five in a row, taking a big step back from the respectable season they had last year. South QB Karsten Lemire and his offense showed life late in last week’s loss to Concord.

PREDICTION: South 28, Keene 13.

ALVIRNE (0-5) at LONDONDERRY (5-0, 5-1 overall)

WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.

WHERE: LHS Sawyer Field

LAST WEEK: Londonderry 35, Bishop Guertin 16; Alvirne did not play.

LAST YEAR: Londonderry 51, Alvirne 0.

FYI: It’s just been a disaster of a year for coach Tarek Rothe and the Broncos, who don’t belong in Division I and then have had to deal with the awful tragedy of losing a player who was in their program. The Lancers, led by QB Drew Heenan, seem geared up for another title after last week’s win over BG.

PREDICTION: Londonderry 52, Alvirne 6.

DIVISION II

SOUHEGAN (6-0) at HOLLIS BROOKLINE (1-5)

WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Hollis Brookline HS

LAST WEEK: Souhegan 28, Hanover 6; Milford 42, HB 7.

LAST YEAR: Souhegan 50, HB 8.

FYI: Two programs on two vastly different levels. The Sabers, paced by sophomore QB Romy Jain and back J.J. Bright, are thriving, while the Cavaliers, led by back Adam York, are fighting the numbers game, not just on the scoreboard. On that board, though, they’ve been outscored 135-25 since beating Lebanon 47-0 four weeks ago.

PREDICTION: Souhegan 54, HB 12.

MILFORD (3-3) at PELHAM (6-0)

WHEN: Tonight at 7.

WHERE: Pelham HS.

LAST WEEK: Milford 42, Hollis Brookline 7; Pelham 7, Lebanon 0 (forfeit)

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Spartans have just righted the ship with two straight wins, their coach Keith Jones appears to be on the mend, and now they have to deal with a power just as strong in Division II as they were in Division III, having outscored five opponents by a 215-27 margin. Yikes. Lebanon was spared what was certain to be a 50-60 point blowout when it cancelled its game with Pelham due to a lack of healthy bodies. Defense is where the Spartans will have to do the job; it’s unlikely, despite the play of QB Charles Urda & Co, they can match points produced by Pythons QB Jake Travis and back Alex Carroll.

PREDICTION: Pelham 35, Milford 20.

DIVISION III

CAMPBELL (4-2) at CONVAL (1-5)

WHEN: Tonight at 7.

WHERE: CVHS in Peterborough.

LAST WEEK: Monadnock 52, Campbell 8; ConVal 29, Kingswood 12.

LAST YEAR: Campbell 16, ConVal 0.

FYI: Campbell fans are hoping this is an example of hell hath no fury than a Cougar scorned, as they were pummeled at home by Monadnock, which found a way to stop back Scott Hershberger. The Cougars defensively in turn will have to be wary of ConVal back Eric McGrath, who had 123 yards and two TDs plus two catches for 57 yards in last week’s win.

PREDICTION: Campbell 40, ConVal 14.

SATURDAY

DIVISION I

BEDFORD (5-1) at BISHOP GUERTIN (5-1)

WHEN: Saturday, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Stellos Stadium.

LAST WEEK: Bedford 20, Exeter 10; Londonderry 35, Bishop Guertin 16.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Bulldogs have been really, really tough defensively all season long – North scored only one offensive TD in its opening night win vs. Bedford. The ‘Dogs shut down Exeter, down 10-7, in the second half with a 13-point fourth quarter rally. Guertin will have to watch out for back Danny Tagliaferro, and it will be interesting to see if the ‘Dogs have an answer for Cards QB Matt Santosuosso. It’s the second of a stretch of three tough games vs. contenders for the Cards, who have North next Friday. Yikes.

PREDICTION: BG 17, Bedford 16.