Five to follow: Battles at the top

This week's high school schedule features a few games against the top teams in their respective sports and divisions.

None is bigger than the game that will take place Monday afternoon in Bedford, where the Bulldogs baseball team will host Portsmouth at 4 p.m. in a rematch of last year's Class I final. This season, the Clippers (8-0 in Division II) are once again at the top of the standings, while Bedford (8-1) is right behind despite suffering its loss of the season last Friday.

The two teams have established themselves ahead of a pack that includes 11 teams that have won five games this season. Also on the line is Portsmouth's 71-game winning streak, which is four short of the national record. The Clippers have been rolling over teams this season, winning games by an average of nearly eight runs.

Bedford has been solid offensively as well, averaging almost nine runs per game.

No. 2: Kearsarge at Hollis/Brookline boys lacrosse, Monday, 4:30 p.m.

These schools aren't rivals in many sports, but these two teams are, thanks to several playoff matchups over the years, including the Division III title game in 2006. This season, the Cougars (7-0) and the Cavaliers (7-0) are the only undefeated teams left in the division, and Monday is the only time they'll play during the regular season.

Kearsarge enters the game having outscored its last four opponents 72-6 and are averaging 14.7 goals per game. H/B has won a couple of close games of late, picking a 7-5 win over Derryfield and a 6-5 win over Gilford sandwiched around an 18-0 win over Milford.

No. 3: Bedford at Laconia softball, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.

This Bedford team is also coming off its first loss of the season, a 2-1 setback to Goffstown last Friday. That game was the first time all year the Bulldogs (9-1) have been held to less than six runs in any game this year. Bedford has averaged 10 runs in its nine wins this season.

Laconia (7-0) has been even better, averaging almost 12 runs a game, but the Sachems have also allowed an average of almost five runs, too, and have won their last three games by four runs total.

No. 4: Salem at Alvirne softball, Friday, 4 p.m.

Going into the week, the Blue Devils (10-1) and Broncos (10-2) were the only teams in Division I with double-digit wins. Salem is coming off its first loss of the season - a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester Central. The lone run the Blue Devils allowed was just the 10th they've given up all season.

Alvirne has won eight in a row since a 2-2 start, and hasn't allowed a run in its last five games. During that stretch, the Broncos have outscored their opponents 62-0.

No. 5: Hanover at Merrimack girls lacrosse, Thursday, 4 p.m.

Another matchup of unbeaten teams, as Hanover (8-0) and Merrimack (7-0) have both yet to lose in Division II play.

The Tomahawks are coming off a 20-10 win over Bedford and come in scoring 16.3 goals a game. Hanover's offense has been just as prolific, averaging almost 16 goals per game, and the Marauders have been sound defensively, giving up more than seven goals just once this season.

Other games to watch:

Wilton-Lyndeborough (6-2) at Newmarket (6-2) baseball, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. - The Warriors won the first meeting 6-1.

Londonderry (6-4) at Bishop Guertin (6-4) baseball, Wednesday, 7 p.m. - Game will be played at Holman Stadium.

Bishop Guertin (5-1) at Bow (5-2) girls lacrosse, Wednesday, 4 p.m. - Rematch of last year's Division II semifinal, which the Cardinals won for their first ever win over the Falcons.