If the lights you see on three county football fields this week seem a lot brighter, it's because Atholton, Glenelg and River Hill are hosting opening-round playoff games.

Several factors should give River Hill the upper hand in its 3A East regional semifinal game Friday, Nov. 13 against J.M. Bennett (6-4).

One, home field advantage. The Hawks have not lost on their home turf since a 2004 opening-round playoff loss to Douglass-PG.

Two, experience. The Hawks have been in the playoffs every year since 2004 and have won two state titles and four regional titles with an overall playoff record of 11-3. This is J.M. Bennett's first playoff appearance since 1990.

"That experience that we've had the last six years should definitely pay off," said coach Brian Van Deusen, who is 99-18 at River Hill. "We're happy with the match up."

Three, momentum. River Hill (10-0) has won 38 games in a row dating back to a loss to Friendly in the 2006 state championship game. The Clippers (6-4) have lost three in a row after starting 6-1 and have been outscored, 116-26, in those three games. River Hill averages more than 40 points a game.

Those factors add up to a favorable matchup for the Hawks, but Van Deusen isn't going into the game unprepared.

"They've got a couple big guys up front, and some good athletes. Their offense is somewhat similar to ours, actually, and that ought to help with preparation," he said.

The game on the other side of the 3A East bracket features two much more familiar foes: second-seeded Atholton (9-1) and third-seeded Wilde Lake (7-3). Atholton won the regular-season meeting, 34-30, on a 40-yard fumble return by Matt Robinson.

Neither coach is expecting another offensive bonanza.

"It was a little bit wild that day, both teams turned the ball over in the rain," first-year Atholton coach Kyle Schmitt said. "I'd be thrilled to get 34 (points) again, but I don't think it's going to happen."

Schmitt knows that to win this game, his Raiders can't allow the Wildecats to churn out long, clock-draining drives.

Wilde Lake has rushed for 2,386 yards this season and has fumbled the ball away only seven times in 391 attempts. The Wildecats are led by Khalil Viera's 1,040 yards and 12 touchdowns along with E.J. Gilman's 740 yards and nine touchdowns.

"We'll have to make tackles. That's the type of running game that if you don't step up and stop it, you'll look up and it will be the middle of the third quarter real quick," Schmitt said.

Atholton has run the ball about seven less times per game than Wilde Lake, but the Raiders have the more potent passing attack -- quarterback Kalvin Seamonson and receiver Matt Robinson have connected 38 times for 786 yards and eight touchdowns.

That's eight more completions than Wilde Lake has as a team, but the Wildecat way has always been to pound the ball relentlessly with the running game and stop opponents with a tenacious, turnover-causing defense. Wilde Lake has allowed only 11.9 points per game and only 40 total in its past six games.

"We're going to have to try to hold onto the ball and have time consuming drives. If we can do that we'll be in good shape," Wilde Lake coach Mike Harrison said.

Glenelg (8-2), the county's lone 2A qualifier, will host Douglass-PG Nov. 13 in the Gladiators' first playoff game since 2006.

"They're a really talented team with a tremendous quarterback and running back," Glenelg coach Butch Schaffer said. "They'd be one of the best teams in Howard County. ... We're going to have to play a flawless game if we want to beat them."

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