Souhegan's Robin Bowkett talks to his team after last week's 34-6 Division II quarterfinal win over John Stark. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

It’s the semifinals in Divisions II and III, and that means just about an automatic invitation for a couple of local high schools Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Souhegan Sabers are in this round more often than not, and the No. 4 locals (8-2) will do exactly what they did last year at this time: head to Plymouth to face what this year is a No. 1, unbeaten Bobcat team.

Meanwhile, in Division III, No. 1, 9-0 Campbell will host No. 4, 6-3 Gilford. You’d be hard-pressed to remember the last time a Campbell team didn’t make it this far.

Here’s a look:

SOUHEGAN AT PLYMOUTH

The Sabers plastered the Bobcats in the regular season a year ago, 49-6, and have been paying for it ever since, falling 21-20 in last year’s semifinals and then again this current season, 28-21, in overtime. That might mean the Sabers are due.

“After Plymouth I was pretty inspired,” Sabers coach Robin Bowkett said. “They kept swinging, they didn’t get in. We came from behind and showed physical toughness and mental toughness.”

Showing a lot of that was junior quarterback Michael Fiengo, who in the first meeting threw for 320 yards and three TDs. He, receiver Brayden Hickman, and Ryan Raudelunas have been an fearsome threesome for defenses all year.

Bowkett was thrilled with his players toughness because they drove down the field and sent the game to OT with 43 seconds left.

Souhegan will no doubt try to limit the red zone offense of Plymouth back Robbie Thorne, who had three touchdowns in that game, but also the ground game of Tristan Patridge, who had 118 yards. Plymouth in that meeting rushed for 286 yards in all.

The last two very close losses to the Bobcats will certainly provide some extra motivation for Souhegan, especially those back this year from the team that lost by a whisker in the semis, an upset that ruined what many had thought would be a Souhegan-Pelham finals rematch from 2022. Souhegan didn’t have Hickman for that one; he had four catches for 119 yards and a TD in the regular season game.

It’ll certainly be the Bobcats trying to control the ball and the clock, playing keep away. The only other really close game the Bobcats played this year was a surprising 20-14 struggle vs. St. Thomas in their regular season finale.

“Just be the best,” Bowkett said. “You’ve just got to stick together when times are tough because times are going to be tough.”

“You never know when it’s going to be a moment you’ll remember,” Plymouth coach Chris Sanborn said the night of the OT win.

Saturday will produce a memorable moment for someone, for certain.

DIVISION III

GILFORD at CAMPBELL

There’s a couple of things obviously in play here. Campbell hasn’t been really challenged in the division and throttled Gilford 50-14 in Litchfield back on Oct. 5. And Cougars back Scott Hershberger is 34 yards (unofficially) away from breaking former Souhegan back Sean Jellison’s state career rushing record of 5,890. It should be a given that this will happen as Hershberger eclipsed the 5,000-yard career mark vs. the Golden Eagles in their regular season meeting in which he rushed 13 times for 220 yards.

Hershberger is taking it all in stride, knowing that these are special days.

“It’s obviously exciting,” he said. “I try to come out and do my best and just earn another game, because it’s a blessing to play with all the guys I’ve come up with and lead the younger kids. Every game is so valuable at this point being a senior.”

Gilford will have to be aware of Nick Hershberger as well; Scotts twin brother had three rushing TDs in the rout.

Gilford, in its win over Newport, ran the ball well for 194 yards led by Noah Harder’s 127 yards and two TDs. Campbell can’t let Gilford QB Mark Uicker get going; he was 7 of 9 for 129 yards and two TDs in the playoff win.

“It’s this weird balance of big picture, but then it’s obviously one heckuva accomplishment,” Cougars coach Glen Costello said of the record likely coming with the pressure of the postseason. “It’d be nice if he breaks it at home, we can celebrate it a little more.”