Nashua South QB Cody Jackson returns to Merrimack on Friday night when the Panthers face his former Tomahawks. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The plots thicken this weekend in Week 7 as the games just get more meaningful. Of course it starts with the big battle of Division II unbeatens between Souhegan and Plymouth in Amherst, but Division I unbeaten Nashua South has a big local battle at Merrimack, which is fighting for its postseason life, and Alvirne faces a very good Concord team, two teams that could be in the postseason.

Here’s a look:

FRIDAY

DIVISION I

NASHUA SOUTH (6-0) at MERRIMACK (2-3 Division I, 2-4 overall)

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: MHS Student Memorial Field.

LAST WEEK: Windham 28, Merrimack 27; Nashua South 43, Winnacunnet 8

LAST YEAR: Nashua South 15, Merrimack 14.

FYI: The Tomahawks have lost two home games by one point each, otherwise they’d be in great shape. They have one of the more dangerous QBs in the area in senior Sahil Mujawar, who can create having with his throwing and running. South QB Cody Jackson, who transferred two years ago from Merrimack, has also come of age as a junior. This has always been a great rivalry that tends to favor the underdog. We’ll see. And you can see it live on Merrimack TV, whose broadcast will also be seen on Nashua ETV.

THE PICK: South 30, Merrimack 22. History says it’ll be a four-quarter battle, but this year the Panthers have just too much talent and now experience as it’s all come together.

NASHUA NORTH (1-5) at LONDONDERRY (4-1 Division I, 4-2 overall)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: LHS Sawyer Field

LAST WEEK: North 17, Goffstown 0; Londonderry 34, Manchester Central 6.

LAST YEAR: Londonderry 31, Nashua North 7.

FYI: The Titans offense, dormant through the first half of the season, has come alive with back/receiver Luke Peters and Dharyus Sisay getting out in space with their speed, a great complement to the physical running of Darius Smith. But keeping up with the Lancers, led by senior QB Sam Ogden plus backs Adrian Cruz and Carson Palma won’t be easy.

THE PICK: Londonderry 28, North 15.

CONCORD (4-1 Divison I, 4-2 overall) at ALVIRNE (4-2)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Alvirne HS in Hudson.

LAST WEEK: Alvirne 49, Spaulding 22; Concord 21, Manchester Memorial 12.

LAST YEAR: Alvirne 19, Concord 12

FYI: This is a huge game for both, a measuring stick if you will, as they’re in the class of teams that all seem to be on equal footing. The Broncos keep chugging along, led by, among others, QB Charlie Crawford (110 yards rushink two TD passes last week). QB Colby Nhyan (115 yards throwing with a TD, 63 yards rushing with a TD last week) paces the Tide offense. Should be a good one.

THE PICK: Alvirne 28, Concord 26. Broncos have the depth to pull it out.

DIVISION II

PLYMOUTH (6-0) at SOUHEGAN (6-0)

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Souhegan HS in Amherst.

LAST WEEK: Souhegan 43, Milford 6; Plymouth 48, Pembroke 12.

LAST YEAR: Souhegan 49, Plymouth 6 (regular season); Plymouth 21, Souhegan 20 (Division II semis).

FYI: Another clash of styles as the Bobcats’ smashmouth style led by backs like Robbie Thorne (three TDs last week) vs. Souhegan’s wide open turf speed, led by QB Michael Fiengo, a threat to run and throw. It should be a classic, and perhaps like last year, a warmup act for the playoffs.

THE PICK: Souhegan 28, Plymouth 26. Wouldn’t have thought this at the start of the season.

MILFORD (1-5) at ST. THOMAS (2-4)

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: STA in Dover.

LAST WEEK: Trinity 49, St. Thomas 21; Souhegan 43, Milford 6

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: This looks like a winnable game for the Spartans, or certainly a competitive one. The Spartans will rely on players like QB Brady O’Connor and Kadyn Tessier, while the Saints are paced by QB Aiadn Morrison and running back Kenny Avery, who had 174 yards vs. Trinity last week.

THE PICK: Milford 21, St. Thomas 20. Tired of the tough results, Spartans bring their A game.

PEMBROKE (1-5) at HOLLIS BROOKLINE (0-6)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: HB Stadium.

LAST WEEK: Plymouth 48, Pembroke 12; ConVal 52, Hollis Brookline 8.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: The Cavaliers, as much as they are almost rebuilding from scratch, expected to be a bit more competitive than they’ve been. Perhaps this is the game they show that, as the Spartans are a young team with very few seniors.

THE PICK: HB 14, Pembroke 13. This could be the night for the Cavs, why not?

DIVISION III

CAMPBELL (6-0) at LEBANON (2-3)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Lebanon HS.

LAST WEEK: Lebanon 20, Kearsarge 7; Campbell 34, Epping-Newmarket 14.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

FYI: Truth be told, the Lebanon football program hasn’t been the same since Milford beat the Raiders in the Division II semis in 2021, and they finally made the move to drop down – a move that may have impacted the NHIAA’s decision to deny Hollis Brookline the chance to do the same (too many teams dropping down). Backs Jordan Finley and Nick Pace are keys for the Raiders, who certainly don’t have anyone to match up with the Cougars’ Hershbergers (Scott and Nick), etc. Really, who does?

THE PICK: Campbell 40, Lebanon 6. Cougars can now rest up with a bye week before the big Monadnock clash.

SATURDAY

DIVISION I

DOVER (2-3 Division I, 3-3 overall) at BISHOP GUERTIN (3-2 Division I, 4-2 overall)

WHEN: 6 p.m.

WHERE: Hollis Brookline HS Stadium.

LAST WEEK: BG 27, Keene 24; Dover 20, Sanford (Me.) 13.

LAST YEAR: BG 56, Dover 42 (Division I prelims).

FYI: Call them the Cardiac Cards, two straight wins in the final few seconds. But while the win over North was a great comeback, BG allowed Keene to do the same which led to needing Nate Bowen’s game-winning field goal. Guertin is really hurting, though, as three receivers are down – including reliable Sam Fayad, out for the season. This shouldn’t be the point fest last year’s playoff game was, but the Green Wave after starting 0-3 are also, like BG, on a three-game win streak. The Cards need to watch out for Dover running back Joe Leonardi, as well as QB Cooper Gagne.

THE PICK: BG 30, Dover 23. Another close one that won’t be easy.