There are a few Class B North football games that stand out every year when the schedule is unveiled. Toward the top of that list is the battle between the conference’s two Somerset County teams.

Skowhegan and Lawrence have met in many big games over the years. They’ll renew their series at 7 p.m. Friday with a Week 2 battle at Keyes Field.

Lawrence (1-0) is always strong in the trenches, and that is no different this year. The Bulldogs’ lines excelled in last week’s 42-6 victory over Brunswick, allowing some new skill players to cut their teeth while rushing for six touchdowns. Lawrence will try to bulldoze its way to victory, like it has on its way to back-to-back regional title games.

Skowhegan, meanwhile, is trying to be a factor in the playoff picture after back-to-back 2-7 seasons. The River Hawks held their own against Fryeburg Academy last week but ultimately lost, 28-12. A win over Lawrence would be the kind of marquee result Skowhegan has been seeking.

Keys to a Skowhegan victory

• Stop Brady Richards. The Lawrence defensive tackle was a menace against the River Hawks last year, registering 12 tackles, a sack and a number of pressures. Skowhegan’s path to victory starts with not letting Richards, who also had a big game last week, wreak havoc in the trenches and in the backfield.

• Don’t give away points. Fryeburg’s first touchdown came after it recovered a blocked punt at Skowhegan’s 1-yard line. Its second came on a 56-yard scoop-and-score after a fumble. The River Hawks can’t afford such mistakes against a disciplined Lawrence team.

Keys to a Lawrence victory

• Lawrence’s skill players must continue their growth. Following the graduation of 2023-24 workhorse Colton Carter, the success of the Bulldogs’ new running backs was a welcome development against Brunswick. Garrett Leclerc, Hayden Lockhart, Dawson Moore and others will be counted on again Friday.

• Defend the pass. The Bulldogs showed some vulnerability against the pass last season, including in the regional final against Falmouth. Skowhegan is not afraid to let Austin Lancaster throw, so Lawrence’s secondary must be prepared to be tested.

Skowhegan impact players

• Senior RB/LB Ayden Mulcahy (2024: all-PTC second-team offense and defense)

• Senior OL/DL Sebastian Stewart (all-PTC second-team offense)

• Sophomore QB/DB Austin Lancaster

• Senior OL/DL Jaimeson Shanoski

• Senior WR/LB Trevor Austin

Lawrence impact players

• Junior OL/DL Brady Richards (all-PTC second-team defense)

• Senior RB/LB Garrett Leclerc (two touchdowns last week vs. Brunswick)

• Senior OL/DL Jeremy Thompson

• Senior WR/DB Leighton Bradford

• Senior RB/LB Dawson Moore

Last meeting

• Lawrence won, 42-13 (2024, Class B North quarterfinal): Led by 201 rushing yards from Carter, the Bulldogs steamrolled their way to 376 yards on the ground to advance to the North semifinals.

What they’re saying

• “Going to Lawrence is always tough. Even now, 20 years in, I still think the Wing-T is one of the toughest things to defend, with extra guys at the point of attack. I know Coach (John) Hersom is going to have his guys ready, and with my guys, I’m going to ask of them what I ask of them every week: Let’s play hard, let’s play physical, and let’s play fast for four quarters.” — Skowhegan coach Brad Cyr

• “They’re bigger this year, and they’re pretty rugged in the backfield. I know they’re going to have to have a power run game that we’re going to have to stand up to, so that’s going to be a pretty big test for us. We know they’re going to be hungry after that loss last week, so we’ve got to have the mindset that we’re hungrier than they are.” — Lawrence coach John Hersom

• “I can tell they’re big, and they run a lot of obscure stuff, like shovel passes. … We’re going to have to play hard on defense, be physical up front and run the ball well.” — Lawrence junior quarterback Colt Robinson