Souhegan's Ella Barrett (3) and John Stark's Adie Bolduc could see each other again in the Divsion II finals. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

Three local high school field hockey teams begin their quest for a state title this week, and now they know the path they need to take.

The tourneys will begin on Wednesday with the Division II prelims, and locally the only game will be No. 5 Hollis Brookline (10-3-1) hosting No. 12 Pembroke (6-7-1) at 7 p.m.

Then the scene shifts to Stellos Stadium on Thursday, in Division I, when No. 7 Bishop Guerton (10-5-1) will host No. 10 Pinkerton (7-9) at 2 p.m. at Stellos Stadium. The winner goes to face No. 2 Exeter (14-1-1) in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Souhegan is seeded No. 2 in Division II, and the Sabers (13-0-1) will wait until Saturday to take on the winner of No. 7 Merrimack Valley (9-5) and No. 10 Oyster River (7-6-1) in the quarterfinals. Theyt’re looking for their first title since 2007 when they beat Portsmouth 1-0, and were last in the finals just two years ago, losing at Kennett 2-0.

Here’s a look:

DIVISION I

The Cards, led by players like Tayor Guiboard and Sophia Alton, could make a run but it won’t be easy. They beat the Astros 2-1 in Derry on goals by Katy Paveglio and Alton (game-winner), and needed 13 saves by goalie Bella Rioux. So the Astros gave them a game.

Exeter was also a tough opponent, but this time ended up beating BG 5-2 nearly a month ago. The defending champion Blue Hawks’ only loss was to No. 1 Winnacunnet and they tied Windham.

Tough road, but this is why they play the games, right? The semis are next Thursday at 5 and 7 p.m. at Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium, with the finals on Sunday, Oct. 30 at Bedford High School’s Bulldog Stadium.

THE PICK: Windham over Winnacunnet. Two traditional powers, Windham won the coin flip.

DIVISION II

The hope was when they faced each other two weeks ago that the 1-1 tie between No. 1 John Stark and No. 2 Souhegan would be a finals preview.

It certainly may be; here are the obstacles:

For Souhegan, it would be, if looking ahead, defending champ Portsmouth. The Clippers lost three straight when they faced the other three contenders in a row – Stark and Souhegan (both 2-1) and No. 4 Kennett (3-1). With only a one-goal difference, if the Clipps get past potential quarterfinal opponent No. 6 Derryfield (whom they manhandled 6-1 early on), it would be a battle.

The Sabers, though, led by the grit and experience of senior Ella Barrett, have been tough. They opened the season with a 5-1 win over potential quarterfinal opponent Oyster River.

For Stark, Kennett likely would be the tough opponent, although the regular season was a 2-0 Generals win. Of course, it could be the Cavaliers, who under new coach Greg Cochrane went 9-1-1 after starting the season 1-2. Cochrane’s Cavs have been paced by the Hill sisters, Alyssa and Sabrina, and can’t be counted out.

The semis are next Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 5 and 7 p.m. in Exeter, with the finals on Sunday, Oct.30 at 11 a.m.at Bedford.

THE PICK: Souhegan over Stark. They came oh, so close in the regular season game.