Led by coach Chris Powers since the beginning, Pingree (7-1) has maintained a high level of success. After going 5-1-1 in the program’s second year, Powers considers this the first varsity season.

Pingree runs a spread offense that, according to Powers, has no superstars but relies on five or six legitimate threats to keep defenses guessing.

In Brooks (7-1), Pingree is facing a team it scrimmaged in a downpour a few days into preseason training. Brooks coach Alex Konovalchik said he is not surprised by Pingree’s success, as it showed a great deal of athleticism during that August clash.

Brooks is led by senior quarterback Jordan Johnson, a native of Springfield, who has put up gaudy numbers this year and will play at Brigham Young next fall. Johnson, the ISL MVP, has rushed for more than 800 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also passing for 450 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Johnson’s captains - Steven Damoracki, Colin Lahiff, and Jason Buco - have also played significant roles in turning around a program that was 0-8 in 2007.

These two teams battling for NEPSAC supremacy is something that neither coach could have imagined two years ago.

Canterbury (7-1) vs. New Hampton (7-1) - The Canterbury Saints head into the Austin Bowl riding a five-game win streak. Their undersized defense, said coach Ken Parson, “tends to bend but so far has not really broken.’’ It will try to stop a New Hampton rushing attack that has gained nearly 2,500 yards this fall. That ground game is led by senior backs Jethro Kollie and Al-Tawan Jenkins. Quarterback Jake Kiley also has five rushing TDs. Canterbury quarterback Dean Kennedy has thrown for 16 TDs and 978 yards, while the ground game has been carried by Richie Edwards, who has 15 TDs and 843 yards.

Kimball Union (8-0) vs. Lawrence Academy (8-0) - Kimball Union and Lawrence bring to the Samson/Lorden Bowl high-powered spread offenses that have put up big numbers. Lawrence senior captain Denzel Brito has scored 16 TDs and Kimball Union running back Bryant Fitzgerald has rushed for 919 yards and 12 TDs. Kimball Union is loaded on the defensive line and will rely on Robert King and Gus Cruz to generate the pass rush and shut down Lawrence’s running game. But Lawrence coach Mike Taylor lauds his offensive linemen as unsung heroes; Tyler Cardoze, Ryan Welsh, and Max Ricci all tip the scales at 300-plus pounds. This game may look like a shootout but will most likely be decided by the players with their hands in the dirt.

Suffield Academy (8-0) vs. King Low Heywood Thomas (8-0) - In the DelPrete/Theobold Bowl, Suffield is faced with the task of stopping Penn State recruit Silas Redd, who has rushed for 5,000 career yards and more than 50 touchdowns. KLHT prides itself on defensive team speed and will count on that to contain Suffield’s strong running game, led by Atiq Lucas, who had 900 yards this year.

Phillips Exeter (7-0) vs. Hotchkiss (7-1) - Hotchkiss coach Danny Smith said the key to the Eaton/Estey Bowl is “which defense plays better.’’ Each team boasts a strong quarterback and running game. Hotchkiss junior running back Derek Wilson has rushed for 1,043 yards this season. Phillips Exeter coach Bill Glennon thinks the game-changing player may be kicker David Mothander, a top college prospect.