Playoff Picture: Division II football

Things are getting a little strange in the Division II playoff race.

Or at least that's what it feels like when you mention ConVal, Hollis Brookline and playoff implications all in the same sentence.

But that will be the case on Saturday when the Cavaliers host the Cougars at 1 p.m. on Coach Korcoulis Field, as the two 4-1 teams will be battling to improve their chances of making the D2 tournament.

Of the two programs, HB has a little more playoff history, which includes knocking off Sanborn in the D2 quarterfinals (then called the conference championship) in 2014.

ConVal hasn't made the postseason since 2009, when the Cougars were crushed by Portsmouth 50-12 in the D3 semifinals.

The all-time series between the teams is even at 4-4, but ConVal, despite going 7-29 over the previous four seasons, has won three of the last four meetings. Of the Cougars' wins from 2012-15, 43 percent of them have come against HB, including the team's only win in 2014, when the Cavs were a playoff team.

Here’s a look at what the Division II postseason would like if it started this week.

North Conference

1. x-Plymouth (5-0), 13.60
2. x-Hanover (5-0), 12.40
3. x-John Stark (5-0), 12.40
4. x-Bow (4-1), 9.20
5. Lebanon (3-2), 7.60
6. Kennett (3-2), 7.20
7. Laconia (2-3), 4.40
8. Pembroke (1-4), 2.00
9. Gilford-Belmont (0-5), 0.00
10. Merrimack Valley (0-5), 0.00
11. Kingswood (0-5), 0.00

South Conference

1. x-Windham (5-0), 15.60
2. x-Milford (4-1), 10.40
3. x-Hollis Brookline (4-1), 10.00
4. x-ConVal (4-1), 9.20
5. St. Thomas (3-2), 7.60
6. Hillsboro-Deering/Hopkinton (2-3), 4.40
7. Sanborn (2-3), 4.40
8. Souhegan (1-4), 2.40
9. Trinity (1-4), 2.00
10. Pelham (1-4), 2.00
11. Manchester West (0-5), 0.00

Playoff teams: Bow, ConVal, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Milford, Plymouth, Windham.

Quarterfinal matchups: No. 8 Bow at No. 1 Windham; No. 7 ConVal at No. 2 Plymouth; No. 6 Hollis Brookline at No. 3 Hanover; No. 5 Milford at No. 4 John Stark.

Scenarios: ConVal and Bow both moved into the playoff field, and as of this moment, would be tied for the seventh spot in the tournament. John Stark also picked up some points, making it tied with Hanover for the third seed in rating. Lebanon, thanks to its season-saving win over Kennett, jumped over both the Eagles and St. Thomas for next in line for a playoff spot.

Games to watch this week: Bow at Kennett, Friday, 7 p.m.; Lebanon at Laconia, Friday, 7 p.m.; ConVal at Hollis Brookline, Saturday, 1 p.m.; Milford at St. Thomas, Saturday, 7 p.m.