Gorham (8-1) @ Marshwood (9-0) Sat. 2 p.m.

It is fair to question whether or not No. 2 Marshwood has been tested. The Hawks shut out seventh-seeded Portland in the quarterfinals, but the Bulldogs were without multiple stars due to injury and discipline. The highest ranked opponent the Hawks have faced all season was No. 5 Biddeford, who they defeated 32-0. Biddeford was ousted last week, 45-0, by No. 4 Deering.

Regardless, any team that has made it this far without a blemish to its record deserves respect. Gorham will have to make the long trip south to Marshwood’s home field in South Berwick and try move the ball against a defense that allowed Portland only 214 total yards.

The big question will be the Hawks’ offense. The unit scored 19 points last week, but none of its scoring drives were over 40 yards and two were under 15.

Gorham and Marshwood only had two common opponents this season, Scarborough and Noble. The Hawks won those games 36-0 and 26-7 respectively. Gorham won against the same teams by scores of 57-7 and 50-20.

Prediction: Gorham 35, Marshwood 14

Deering (7-2) @ Bonny Eagle (9-0) Sat. 1 p.m.

Since falling to Bonny Eagle by a 13-7 score in week seven of the regular season, the Rams have won two straight games by a combined score of 77-0. Deering quarterback Nick Dunn threw two touchdown passes in last week’s quarterfinal against Biddeford, a sign that Deering had learned to not lean so heavily on star tailback Brian Sandora. The Scots routinely stuffed Sandora in the team’s previous meeting.

While Deering won in blowout fashion last week, Bonny Eagle was tested at home by No. 8 Massabesic. To the Scots’ credit, the Mustangs were a much better team entering the playoffs than they were during the regular season. Not only that, but Bonny Eagle quarterback Ryan Walker was making his first start since returning from injury – he didn’t play in his team’s previous meeting with Deering.

Against Massabesic, Walker showed he was plenty healthy and certainly able to run. With a late goal-line stand Bonny Eagle’s defense again showed its ability to make big stops at key times. Expect more of the same against Deering.

Bonny Eagle 27, Deering 20