Three teams with payback on their minds will be in action Friday night in key local football games as Brewer hosts Orono, Portland visits Bangor, and Belfast plays host to Winslow.

Portland (0-1) at Bangor (1-0), 7 p.m., Cameron Stadium.

The defending Pine Tree Conference champion Rams are poised to erase the disappointment of last year’s 43-22 defeat in Portland at the hands of the Western Maine runner-up.

Bangor comes in with the stingiest defense in the PTC after allowing only 28 total yards to Edward Little in last week’s 49-6 blowout.

Bangor features plenty of talent on the offensive side as well with senior tailback Pat Estey, averaging 5.6 yards per carry (PTC second-best 117 yards rushing), split end Jason St. Pierre, sophomore quarterback Tom Waterman, and a big offensive line that appears to be settling into a cohesive unit.

The Bulldogs don’t return many offensive players from last season’s 9-3 squad, but do have quarterback Don Gillies back and have a better-than-average defense keyed by linebacker Steve Mazziotti.

Orono (1-0) at Brewer (1-0), 7 p.m., Doyle Field.

The host Witches were thrashed 34-0 by the Red Riots last season and many Brewer juniors and seniors haven’t forgotten the disappointment.

Brewer coach Don Farnham hasn’t let his kids dwell on that, however, and prefers to look forward to the challenge of playing another talented Orono squad at home to open the LTC Class B conference schedule.

“I like these tough games at the beginning of the season because they give you a chance to see how good your team is right off the bat,” said Farnham.

The game figures to come down to Orono’s powerful running game vs. Brewer’s big, but inexperienced defensive line and Brewer’s skill players vs. a still-stingy Orono defense.

Orono coach Bob Lucy also has to contend with an offense his kids won’t see much of: the wing-T.

“They do an excellent job running it and it’s a challenge because it’s a unique offense to prepare for,” Lucy said.

Winslow (1-0) at Belfast (1-0), 7 p.m.

The Black Raiders, preseason favorites to win the LTC B crown this season, would like nothing better than to avenge a 30-28 loss to the Lions at their home field last year.

Belfast coach Butch Arthers credited that early win with the team’s rise from the LTC basement to the league crown last year.

Arthers said a win this year would have a similar effect on the Lions, who are once again slight underdogs despite their 10-2 campaign in 1995 and a solid defense.

Belfast will pay special attention to Rueben Lemelin, the marquee player on a deep and talented Winslow squad. The senior QB is a threat to pass or run.

“He’s shown so far he’s the key to their whole offense. They run the option well and it’s no secret he likes to run with the ball,” said Arthers.

Winslow’s strength may play into Belfast’s: Winslow’s option vs. the Lions’ defensive ends – B.J. Bryant and Joe Littlefield.

“I think they are good enough to contain them on the outside,” Arthers said, adding he thought the pair were two of the best at the position in the league.