Seven weeks into the season, little has been decided in terms of the football state playoffs for local teams. While several schools seem to have berths locked up, they must still fight for higher seeds and home field advantage. And a few teams are still battling just to get into the post-season.

For all but one Jersey Sports Now-area team, this is the last game that counts for the playoffs, but the final positions in most cases won't be decided until after next week. Here are the current scenarios:

North Jersey Section 1, Group 3:

Wayne Hills has taken care of business the past few weeks, and at 6-1 the Patriots are second in the power point standings. With a win this Friday against Fair Lawn, Wayne Hills will assure itself a first-round home game, but the battle for the top seed is a three-way fight between the Patriots, Tenafly and Pascack Valley. If all three teams win this week, first and second place may come down to just a couple of points.

Lakeland won its third straight thriller this past week against Ferris, and at 5-2 the Lancers are in 5th place, just a point behind the #4 spot. But because Lakeland won't get many power points from a win this week at Kearny, it appears unlikely to move up and get a home game. In fact, the Lancers could slip to 6th place even with a victory.

Wayne Valley has had a bizarre up-and-down season, but even at 4-3, is in qualifying position in 7th place. A win this week locks up a playoff spot, but it's far from an easy game against crosstown rival DePaul. It's almost a must-win, although if the Indians lose that contest, they still have a very slight chance to back into the playoffs.

The other two local teams in this section are hoping for Wayne Valley to slip up so they might have a shot to sneak into the post-season. Even though West Milford is 3-4, its state playoff hopes are not unrealistic. A win over North Bergen this week means 22 power points. That, combined with losses by Wayne Valley and Ramapo (who plays undefeated Pascack Valley), would likely be enough to get West Milford in. Even if one of those teams is victorious, the Highlanders might still have a chance, but only if they win their game.

For 3-4 Montville to make it, the Mustangs will have to beat Jefferson, and hope for losses by the Indians, Raiders and Highlanders--and even then the math might not work out in their favor.

North Jersey Section 1, Group 2:

Pequannock is heading for its first state playoff berth since the early part of this decade. The 5-2 Panthers are currently in 4th place in the standings, but have only slim hopes to hang onto that spot and a first-round home game. A win over Kinnelon on Friday would add only 10 points, while other teams behind them can gain much more. It would take an unlikely combination of results to keep Pequannock at home for the first round of the states.

North Jersey Section 1, Group 1:

Mountain Lakes and Butler sit 1-2 in this bracket, and the winner of their Saturday showdown will gain 28 power points and should secure the top spot. The team that loses that contest will likely fall to third place with Hasbrouck Heights poised to move into second.

The first five teams in this section appear pretty secure in their playoff position, but behind them there is a wild eight-team free-for-all for the final three spots. Two JSN-area teams are part of that scramble: Boonton and Pompton Lakes.

The Bombers face off Friday night with another team in the mix: Hopatcong. It'll be Boonton's first road game in over a month, and it won't be easy, with the Chiefs coming off two straight one-sided wins. A win gives the Bombers 19 power points, but they'll still need a little help in Bergen County to lock up a berth.

Also at 4-3, the Cardinals also face a must-win Saturday at home against Glen Rock. The Panthers are not at the same level as last year, when they reached the sectional final, but are still a formidable foe. The good news for Pompton Lakes is that a win would net 22 power points, which should be enough to propel them into the states.

North Jersey Section 2, Group 3:

Despite its loss to DePaul this past week, Passaic Valley is still tied for 3rd place in this section. And the Hornets have only played six games to date, meaning they'll be able to count their next two contests. A win this week against lowly Memorial of West New York will be enough to clinch a playoff spot. The Hornets have a chance to grab a very high seed and home-field advantage if they can beat Paramus on November 7th; a loss in that game might leave them on the road in the first round.

Non-Public Group 3:

DePaul is safe from a repeat of last year's major disappointment, when it missed the playoffs at 6-2. In fact, even with a loss this week to Wayne Valley, the Spartans will qualify. But there's still plenty at stake in that game. With a win, DePaul should hang on to third place in the power points and get a first-round home game; with a loss, the Spartans leave the door open for as many as four teams to get past them and send them on the road. -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now