Here's a class-by-class look at the District 10 playoff races:

CLASS AAAA
McDowell (5-3) is the only Class AAAA team in District 10, so it automatically advances to the PIAA playoffs. The format has not been announced yet, but the Trojans will compete against Region 6 and 9 teams to advance to the PIAA quarterfinals against the eventual WPIAL champion. District 8 teams -- Pittsburgh City schools -- have been excluded from PIAA playoffs, District 10 chairman Wally Blucas announced last week. No Pittsburgh City League school has ever won a PIAA game against a District 10 team.

DuBois (5-3) is the only Class AAAA team in District 9. District 6 has three Class AAAA schools, State College (8-0), Altoona (2-6) and Central Mountain (5-3).

In one of the biggest matchups in the state this season, State College, ranked No. 9 in the state by the Harrsburg Patriot-News will visit No. 2-ranked Bishop McDevitt (8-0) Friday. McDowell will close the season at Bishop McDevitt the following week.

In another game of interest to McDowell fans, No. 3 McKeesport (7-1) will visit No. 1 Gateway (8-0) Friday. McKeesport and Gateway have routed every Pennsylvania opponent they have faced, except McDowell. McKeesport, whose only loss came against Ohio power Colerain in the season opener, beat McDowell 19-13. Gateway topped the Trojans 30-18.

CLASS AAA
Region 6 champion Strong Vincent (8-0, 4-0) has clinched the top spot from Region 6 in the four-team D-10 playoffs. Grove City (6-2, 3-0) has clinched the top spot from Region 5.

The other two teams will be at-large teams selected from this group: Meadville (5-3), Cathedral Prep (4-4), Corry (4-4) and Franklin (5-3). Meadville and Prep are the favorites to get these spots. There is a big game Friday between Meadville and Franklin. Prep hosts DuBois, while Corry hosts East. Meadville needs a win because it closes the season against powerful Strong Vincent.

CLASS AA
The Class AA field is set; only the matchups have to be determined. Double-A will have an eight-team field featuring the top team from Region 3, the top team from Region 4 and six at-large qualifiers.

Wilmington (8-0, 6-0) has clinched at least a tie for the Region 3 title and can clinch the outright title with a victory over Slippery Rock (7-1, 4-1) on Friday. Sharon (7-1, 5-1) and Greenville (6-2, 3-2) are on track for at-large bids. (Wilmington beat Sharon head-to-head, so it owns the playoff tiebreaker.)

In Region 4, North East (7-1, 6-0) is leading the title race and can lock up at least a share of the title Friday against Maplewood. However, it appears the Grapepickers will have to win their season finale against Girard (7-1, 5-1) to clinch the outright title because Girard, Fairview (6-1, 5-1) and General McLane (6-2, 5-1) are tied for second, right behind North East. Each of the four teams will advance to the playoffs. Fairview will visit Girard this week, and Fairview will visit General McLane in Week 10.

CLASS A
The Class A field will feature the top team from Region 1, the top team from Region 2 and six at-large qualifiers.

The Class A field is much cloudier than the Class AA field. Saegertown (8-0, 6-0) would clinch the top spot from Region 2 this week if it wins Friday and second-place Cambridge Springs (6-2, 5-1) loses to Iroquois (5-3, 4-2). Cambridge Springs, Iroquois, Mercyhurst Prep (4-4, 4-2), Union City (5-3, 4-3) and possibly even Eisenhower (3-5, 3-3) are alive for at-large spots. In the final week, Cambridge Springs will visit Saegertown in what could be a key Region 2 matchup.

In Region 1, Mercer (7-1, 5-1), Farrell (6-2, 5-1) and Linesville (6-2, 5-1) are battling for the title. Sharpsville (5-3, 4-2), West Middlesex (5-3, 3-3) and possibly even Lakeview (3-5, 2-4) are alive for for at-large berths.

This week's games should clarify the Class A playoff race considerably.

Thanks for reading. Check out the Varisty blog regularly for expanded District 10 coverage.