Week 5 already? Time flies, huh? It seems like the season just started and yet here we are at the halfway point.

Yet, there’s still a lot of football left. And a few area teams are hitting some key stretches in their schedules; stretches that could have could have major playoff or championship implications.

Saegertown, for example, is off to a shimmering 4-0 start, 3-0 in Region 2. But on Friday, the Panthers begin a span of four straight games on the road. During that trip, the Panthers will take on two teams that are tied for second in the region (Iroquois and Mercyhurst Prep), a surprising .500 squad (Union City) and the current leader of Region 1 (Linesville).

This stretch will be vital for Saegertown, which is looking for its first conference championship since 2002.

Speaking of Union City, the Bears are still well in the running, but their next two games are going to be crucial. On Friday, the Bears take on Eisenhower. Then they’ve got Saegertown the following week.

After that, Union City has three opponents (Harborcreek Youth, Youngsville and Conneaut Valley) that are currently a combined 0-12. Union City then finishes up the season with Mercyhurst Prep, which is 2-0 in Region 2.

Right now, Union City is 1-2 in the region. They need to win at least one of their next two games, hang on against the winless trio, and then beat Mercyhurst to have a shot at the playoffs. No team from Region 2 in the last four years has made it to the playoffs with more than three losses.

Still looking around Region 2; Cambridge Springs has got big back-to-back games starting Friday with Mercyhurst Prep. The Blue Devils — 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference — follow that game up with Eisenhower on Oct. 3.

If the Devils can get one of those two games they’ll be in good shape. If they get both they are almost assured a playoff spot.

After the Prep and Eisenhower games, Cambridge has back-to-back winless teams in Cochranton and Harborcreek Youth. Then the Devils finish up with a pair of tough opponents in Iroquois and Saegertown. If they can hit that home stretch undefeated, or even with one loss, their playoff chances — at this point — look pretty good.

In Region 1...

As far as local teams go, Region 1 has one real shot at a title. And that belongs to Linesville

Conneaut Lake, at 1-1 in the league, still has a hope for playoffs. But the Indians still have to take on West Middlesex on Friday, plus Mercer, Farrell and Linesville down the road.