As we begin to see more frost on the pumpkins and darkness falls about the time most people are leaving work, it is also crunch time for the football teams who have playoff aspirations. Most if not all District 4 playoff berths will be decided by the outcome of tonight's regular-season finales.

So, get ready to take a few deep breaths and I will try to explain the possible playoff scenarios, as well as the various league championship pictures.

Starting with the leagues, Selinsgrove wins the Heartland Athletic Conference-Division I title outright by beating Montoursville on the road; Montoursville shares the title with a win and, in that case, Danville makes it tri-champions by beating Jersey Shore.

Mount Carmel and Southern Columbia have clinched shares of the HAC-II title. Loyalsock can make it tri-champions with a win over Shamokin tonight.

Hughesville wins the HAC-III outright if it does not get upset by a surging Muncy squad tonight. If Muncy wins it, Lewisburg will share the title with Hughesville.

In both the Twin Valley and All-America conferences, we have the next thing to a ya'll come championship race. In the TVC, four of the nine and, in the AAC, four of the seven teams are in the hunt for the title tonight.

Upper Dauphin wins the TVC, its first title in 20 years, outright, by beating Tri-Valley. But, if UD loses, Tri-Valley would share the title as would both Line Mountain and Millersburg if they win tonight.

The AAC is a bit more complicated. Because Northwest played one fewer conference game (not scheduling Bucktail), the Rangers were awarded a league loss, and would fall a game short with a win at East Juniata tonight, thus giving the title to the winner of the game between Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech and Lourdes Regional in Shamokin. An EJ win would give the Tigers a share of the crown.

Oddly enough, Bucktail has already concluded its season, playing just eight games.

Now, on to the D4 playoffs.

Starting with Class AAA, Selinsgrove has long ago locked up the No. 1 seed (there is no truth to the rumor that the Seals had clinched that spot in August). Shikellamy can grab the No. 2 spot and its home field advantage by beating Mifflinburg tonight. If the Wildcats win, not only can the Braves get passed for the No. 2 seed by either or both Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech and East Juniata, but Mifflinburg would have an outside shot at taking the fourth spot.

In Class AA, where eight teams qualify, barring upsets, the top four seeds, in order, should be Towanda, Hughesville, Danville and Lewisburg, all getting home field advantage in the quarterfinals. Montoursville is in, but could get the No. 4 seed with an upset win over Selinsgrove and a loss by Danville, Hughesville or Lewisburg. Others likely to qualify are Athens, Loyalsock, Troy and Wyalusing. But, Mount Carmel would have a shot at a berth with an upset over North Schuylkill.

In Class A, Line Mountain remains the top seed with a win over Pine Grove tonight. If the Eagles lose, they could drop to No. 2 or 3 and Southern Columbia and Bloomsburg, if both win, would wage a close battle for the No. 1 spot. If Line Mountain wins and the Tigers and Panthers also win, the latter two will be No. 2 and 3, but the order is too close to call. Right now, Muncy is the fourth seed, but it would have to upset Hughesville to stay there. Otherwise, Montgomery joins the party as the No. 4 seed.

Lourdes Regional will prolong its season by playing the Eastern Conference playoffs. In addition, Mount Carmel looks like a good bet to qualify for the EC tournament, if it doesn't make the district field.

Last week; season: 23-7; 179-64, .740.

This week's picks:

Tonight

Shikellamy at Mifflinburg -- It's the last gasp for the Wildcats' shot at a playoff spot, but the Braves want that home field advantage. Shikellamy 21, Mifflinburg 14.

Southern Columbia at Milton -- A playoff tuneup for the Tigers and a last chance to make a positive statement for the Black Panther seniors. Southern 35, Milton 14.

Lewisburg at Warrior Run -- The Defenders may be healthy this week, but it won't matter for this game. Lewisburg 42, Warrior Run 13.

Pine Grove at Line Mountain -- The Eagles have to recover in a hurry if they want to carry any momentum into the playoffs. Line Mountain 21, Pine Grove 20.

Tri-Valley at Upper Dauphin -- A defensive coordinator's nightmare with the Twin Valley Conference title on the line. Upper Dauphin 35, Tri-Valley 34.

Danville at Jersey Shore -- The Ironmen make it six wins in a row and grab a home playoff game. Who woulda thunk it? Danville 38, Jersey Shore 13.

Northwest at East Juniata -- The unpredictable and injury-plagued Rangers are out to spoil the Tigers' championship bid. East Juniata 14, Northwest 12.

North Schuylkill at Mount Carmel -- The unbeaten Spartans send the young Red Tornadoes into the EC playoffs. North Schuylkill 28, Mount Carmel 14.

Shamokin at Loyalsock -- Upset special. The Indians close out season by beating a playoff team. Shamokin 20, Loyalsock 19.

Selinsgrove at Montoursville -- Has this game lost a bit of its luster? Selinsgrove 42, Montoursville 13.

Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech at Lourdes Regional -- One of these two will at least share the AAC title. Lourdes 19, Vo-Tech 8.

Elsewhere: Athens over Sayre, Bloomsburg over Central Columbia, Canton over Troy, Otto-Eldred over Cowanesque Valley, Hughesville over Muncy, Montgomery over South Williamsport, North Penn-Blossburg over Wellsboro, Towanda over Wyalusing, Williamsport over Tunkhannock, Halifax over Newport, Millersburg over Juniata, Schuylkill Haven over Blue Mountain, Shenandoah Valley over Mahanoy Area, Tamaqua over Marian Catholic, Panther Valley over Minersville, Williams Valley over Nativity BVM, Pius X over Freedom Village and Berwick over Hazleton.

n Assistant sports editor Harold Raker covers high school football for The Daily Item. E-mail comments to hraker@dailyitem.com.