Bishop Guertin's Matthew Goldstein grabs Dover QB Coopera Gagne just after Gagne lets go of a throw last Saturday night in Hollis. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The playoffs are just two weeks away, so that makes a lot of this weekend’s games, beginning tonight, very important for a least one team in each local contest:

FRIDAY

DIVISION I

NASHUA SOUTH (6-0 Division I, 7-0 overall) at BEDFORD (6-0 Division I, 7-0 overall)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Bedford’s Bulldog Stadium.

LAST WEEK: South 35, Merrimack 0; Bedford 35, Portsmouth-Oyster River 0.

LAST YEAR: Bedford 21, Nashua South 0 (called at halftime due to weather)

FYI: Most of the info is in the adjacent story leading today’s section, but the deal basically is this will be a great measuring stick for the Panthers, win or lose.

THE PICK: South 21, Bedford 18. What the heck, time to be bold.

KEENE (3-3 Divison I, 4-3 overall) at ALVIRNE (5-2)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Alvirne HS in Hudson.

LAST WEEK: Keene 21, Goffstown 14; Alvirne 30, Concord 14.

FYI: This is a huge game for Keene, and the second under interim head coach Shawn DeCost, who was the defensive coordinator only until Linwood Patnode stunningly resigned for what he termed health reasons two days before the ‘Birds win over the Grizzlies. The Blackbirds likely need it to stay in the playoff hunt, because next week they face Bedford. Alvirne has already clinched a spot, so one wonders how the players will react because the ‘Birds will come to play.

THE PICK: Alvirne 28, Keene 26. A thriller in Hudson.

DIVISION II

PELHAM (6-1) at SOUHEGAN (6-1)

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Souhegan HS in Amherst.

LAST WEEK: Plymouth 28, Souhegan 21 (OT); Trinity 41, Pelham 28

LAST YEAR: Pelham 40, Souhegan 21.

FYI: Both teams will be out to bounce back from losses to fellow Division II contenders. Some of the pressure is removed as Pelham’s 47-game win streak is now history, we’ll see what that impact is. The Sabers need to be wary of Python Junior Mackinnon who had two big rushing TDs last week, just one of a few dangerous Pelham backs. Sabers QB Michael Fiengo came a long way in the Plymouth game, leading the Sabers down the field for the tying score to send it to overtime.

THE PICK: Souhegan 28, Pelham 21. Sabers bounce back in a good way.

CONVAL (2-5) at MILFORD (1-6)

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Milford HS stadium.

LAST WEEK: Merrimack Valley 17, ConVal 12; St. Thomas 42, Milford 6.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Spartans must be starving for a win, having lost their last four after beating Hollis Brookline. One thing they may be able to do is run the ball against the Cougars, who gave up close to 250 yards on the ground last week.

THE PICK: Milford 21, ConVal 17. Spartans push hard and this time are rewarded for their efforts.

HOLLIS BROOKLINE (0-7) at HANOVER (3-4)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Hanover HS.

LAST WEEK: Pembroke 48, Hollis Brookline 0; Hanover 24, Kennett 13.

LAST YEAR: Hanover 45, Hollis Brookline 0.

FYI: HB’s struggles continue, while Hanover still is alive for a playoff spot, likely needing to win out (at West next week), so the Bears will be primed. They’re paced by senior QB Andrew Frechette and running back David Frechette.

THE PICK: Hanover 35, Hollis Brookline 12. Sam Bruneau comes through with a couple scores to try to keep it competitive for HB.

SATURDAY

DIVISION I

MERRIMACK (2-4 Division I, 2-5 overall) at NASHUA NORTH (1-6)

WHEN: 12 p.m.

WHERE: Calvetti Field at Souhegan High School.

LAST WEEK: Londonderry 61, Nashua North North 12; Nashua South 35, Merrimack 0

LAST YEAR: North 24, Merrimack 7.

FYI: It’s been a tough year for both teams, but Merrimack would like to win here and vs. BG next week to give itself a playoff shot. ‘Hawks QB Sahil Mujawar will be chased by North DE Darius Smith, while Merrimack defenders will try to contain Luke Peters.

THE PICK: North 18, Merrimack 15. ‘Hawks have Mujawar, but Titans, inspired in their final “home” game, have a couple more playmakers.

BISHOP GUERTIN (4-2 Division I, 5-2 overall)

WHEN: 1 p.m.

WHERE: Haverhill High School’s Trinity Field.

LAST WEEK: BG 62, Dover 21; Salem 28, Windham 14.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: Guertin, with playmakers like Cole Reeves and A.J. Holmes, certainly has its offense in top gear, and has won four straight. But, Salem is no Dover, and the Devils also put up 63 against the Green Wave last month. They’ve beaten Pinkerton as well, and like BG have a standout running back (Kevin Todisco) and a sophomore quarterback (Chris Goss) who is coming of age (7 of 11 for 124 yards and two TD passes vs. Windham). Should be a good one, and the Cards could use the win to cement a playoff spot.

THE PICK: Salem 30, BG 24. Cards defense might struggle here and there.