The first week of the playoffs are in the books and we have ourselves some primo matchups this week, starting at Cottingham Stadium Friday night when the two hottest teams in the area, Easton and Emmaus, square off in a marquee showdown.

The Rovers might sport the most dynamic offense in the area and the Green Hornets are coming off back-to-back shutouts over Parkland and Nazareth. I don’t see a third-straight Emmaus shutout, but do the Hornets get revenge from an early season loss to the Rovers?

On the other side of the 6A bracket, Freedom meets Parkland again in a battle of EPC titans.

Northwestern and East Stroudsburg South seek 3A and 5A championships respectively this week and Southern Lehigh looks to make their case in the 4A semifinals.

Here’s a look at this week’s picks.

1. Easton (10-1)

Last week’s rank: #1

The two hottest teams in the area collide.

The Pick: Easton 28- Emmaus 27

2. Freedom (9-2)

Last week’s rank: #2

Tough to beat a team twice but the Pates are better than Parkland.

The Pick: Freedom 24- Parkland 21

3. Emmaus (9-2)

Last week’s rank: #4

Green Hornets have been impressive the past two weeks. Tough to bet against them here.

The Pick: Easton 28- Emmaus 27

4. Parkland (9-2)

Last week’s rank: #5

Can the Trojans close the gap with Freedom this week?

The Pick: Freedom 24- Parkland 21

5. Nazareth (7-4)

Last week’s rank: #3

Blue Eagles didn’t have enough up front this year.

6. Northwestern (11-0)

Last week’s rank: #6

Tigers are too good for this bracket.

The Pick: Northwestern 35- North Schuylkill 17

7. Liberty (7-4)

Last week’s rank: #7

Good comeback season by the Hurricanes.

8. East Stroudsburg South (9-2)

Last week’s rank: #9

Cavs will be in for a fight this week, but I think they have enough firepower to outlast Whitehall.

The Pick: East Stroudsburg South 31- Whitehall 21

9. Southern Lehigh (9-2)

Last week’s rank: #10

Spartans look to roll into the 4A championship.

The Pick: Southern Lehigh 28- Pottsville 17

10. Northampton (5-6)

Last week’s rank: #8

Kids had a good run in their first year back against the real EPC.

Last week’s record: 6-1

Overall record: 69-11