Eight weeks down, and many local football teams still don't know who or where they'll be playing in the upcoming state playoffs. In fact, two teams still have to hold their breath as they wait to get the official word that they are in.

Here's a look at the scenarios for Jersey Sports Now-area football teams:

North Jersey Section 1, Group III:

Wayne Hills came up huge in its footbal game against Ramapo, powering its way to an impressive win. The victory stamps the Patriots as the favorite in this section, and also guarantees them the top seed. That's no small matter, and not just because it means Wayne Hills gets to play at home. The Patriots will also avoid playing either of the other two top teams in this section--Ramapo and Old Tappan--until the sectional final, while the Green Raiders and Golden Knights will probably have to face each other in the semifinal round.

Wayne Valley won a hard-fought game over West Milford, and currently stands in 7th place in this section. But it appears the Indians are still not guaranteed a playoff place. Two football teams could still get past them: Paramus, which is clearly favored to beat Teaneck, and Demarest, which would have to pull a big upset over DePaul. That means Wayne Valley is in the odd position of rooting for a crosstown rival this weekend; if the Indians get in, they will almost surely face their other crosstown rival, Wayne Hills, in the first round.

Passaic Valley and Montville were eliminated with their losses this past weekend.

North Jersey Section 1, Group II:

Lakeland would have been the top seed had the Lancers beaten DePaul this past weekend, but their first loss of the football season took them out of that position. They are currently in third, but have a reasonable chance to move up to second ahead of Lenape Valley with the right results this week. That would give them two potential home games and a better shot at the finals.

Pequannock got to 6-2 with its win over Kinnelon, but for the second straight year that is good enough only for a lower seed in this bracket. Right now the Panthers are in a three-way tie for 6th, but Pascack Hills has played only seven games and so will move up. The best bet is that Pequannock will be the 7th seed, but they could fall to 8th, and there is a nightmare scenario of unlikely results that could still knock them out of the states. A Pequannock vs. Lakeland first-round game is a real possibility.

North Jersey Section 1, Group I:

Mountain Lakes did it again, pulling out a dramatic win over Butler for its 32nd consecutive triumph. Now with one more victory against Kinnelon, the Herd can secure the top seed in this bracket. While this team has shown vulnerability this year, it has found ways to win and must be considered a real candidate to win a third straight sectional title.

While the Herd looks good for a top spot, Butler took a real hit with its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs fell all the way to the 7th spot, but they have one more game to make up some ground. A win over Hopatcong could push them up to 5th, but it appears Butler will be forced to play on the road in the states.

One team Butler could visit in the first round is Hawthorne. The Bears have quietly won seven straight games and secured the fourth seed in this bracket with their win over Glen Rock. If Butler doesn't claim the fifth spot, Hawthorne's opponent will be Saddle Brook. The Bears will be a very dangerous team in the states, in what is shaping up as an extremely competitive bracket.

Boonton was eliminated with its loss this past weekend.

Non-Public Group III:

Unlike the other teams in the area who are still awaiting their playoff fates, DePaul is locked in. And what seemed impossible a month ago has come to pass, as the Spartans earned a home game by claiming the fourth seed. DePaul will play Immaculata, which was rated in the state's Top 10 earlier in the year but hasn't fully lived up to expectations. It's a difficult game, but at least DePaul will be at home, and it should be full of confidence off its win over a very good Lakeland team. -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now