Will Scarborough finally beat Thornton Academy? Can the little engine that could, otherwise known as Greely, keep rolling at Biddeford?

Is the difference between Windham and Cheverus really a single point as it was in Week 8? Can Kennebunk prove itself worthy one more time against improving Marshwood?

Sixteen regional high school football semifinal games, each with its own storyline, will be played across the state. Here’s a look at the four best matchups in southern Maine.

Scarborough (7-2) at Thornton (7-1)

Thornton is 15-0 against Scarborough, including a 35-0 rout in the 2015 Class A South semifinal. But this is a different Scarborough team, bigger up front, more physical and possessing a true run game. Third-seeded Scarborough has focused its whole season toward competing with the likes of No. 2 Thornton and No. 1 Bonny Eagle.

Any chance at an upset starts with containing Thornton quarterback Mike Laverriere, who rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in a 34-19 regular-season win.

“You’ve got to start up front with the defensive line. You can’t get pushed off the ball and then you have to tackle well,” Scarborough Coach Lance Johnson said.

Scarborough outgained Thornton 331-266 in the first meeting but gave up two long Anthony Bracamonte kick returns (one for a TD), and Thornton big-play receiver Johnny Rosario didn’t play. The game could still be in doubt in the fourth quarter but the Red Storm may be one year away.

Prediction: Thornton, 27-21.

Cheverus (5-4) at Windham (5-3)

In Class A North, the No. 2 Eagles had a bye week to prepare for Cheverus, confident the No. 3 Stags would beat Lewiston. Windham is at home, thanks to a 13-12 win at Cheverus two weeks ago.

“We had some drives stall because we didn’t finish on third down,” Coach Matt Perkins said.

Windham’s two second-half touchdowns came on short drives after big returns by Nazari Henderson (kickoff) and Blake Houser (punt). But the message Cheverus Coach Mike Vance is sending to his undersized team is less about kick coverage and more about intense focus.

“Most football games are lost and that’s the truth. The team that makes the fewest mistakes mentally and physically is usually the team that wins,” Vance said.

This is the upset special.

Prediction: Cheverus, 14-13.

Greely (6-3) at Biddeford (8-1)

In Class B South, the No. 6 Rangers upset No. 3 Falmouth for the program’s second playoff win. “We are still playing, to the shock of many,” Coach David Higgins said.

Greely has a roster hovering around 30 players but kept getting better after losing its first two games. The Rangers must be able to run the ball and avoid turnovers to have a chance.

Biddeford is a tight, cohesive group with enough playmakers to compensate for injuries to fullback Brady Crepeau and his replacement, Cam Lantagne. Curtis Petit is now the fullback. This game features two of the league’s better defensive linemen in Greely end Paul Buchanan and Biddeford tackle Trey Burnham.

Greely hits the end of the line at Waterhouse Field.

Prediction: Biddeford, 21-6.

Marshwood (6-3) at Kennebunk (9-0)

In Class B South, Kennebunk won 27-22 at Marshwood during the regular season, then beat Biddeford and secured the top seed.

Four Kennebunk wins have been by less than a touchdown, including its surprisingly close 16-14 quarterfinal win against No. 8 Leavitt. So are the Rams vulnerable or resilient? The guess here is resilient. Their big and active defensive line will control No. 4 Marshwood’s improved running game and put pressure on quarterback Cole McDaniel. Look for Kennebunk kicker Jared Dyer to make one more key short-range field goal, as he did in close wins against Mt. Ararat, Biddeford and Leavitt.

Prediction: Kennebunk, 22-20.

BRUNSWICK (8-0) had a bye last week, and was able to fine-tune and rest, not that the Dragons needed it. They played under running time in the second half of most of their games during the regular season, thanks to leading by at least 35 points in seven games. That included a 36-0 halftime lead at Messalonskee en route to a 42-0 win. Messalonskee is at Brunswick on Friday night. Brunswick’s average halftime advantage is 40.3-4.3. … Fifteen of this weekend’s 16 playoff games are rematches from the regular season. The exception is Greely at Biddeford. Each playoff home team won the regular-season meeting.