The Mid-Columbia Conference had five teams make the state football playoffs last season: Chiawana, Kamiakin and Richland in Class 4A; and Kennewick and Southridge in Class 3A.

It means that the MCC is a tough league, and it’s loaded with talent.

But if you only have limited time to take in a high school football game this fall, here’s a primer for which contests that could be the best:

Sept. 11 — Gonzaga Prep at Kennewick, 7 p.m., Lampson Stadium

Sept. 11 — Graham-Kapowsin at Richland, 7 p.m., Fran Rish Stadium

If it was possible to clone yourself, this would be the day so you can go to two really good local matchups.

MCC athletic directors and football coaches agreed this season to allow each team to have two non-league contests this season.

Last season, with the addition of Pasco’s Sageview giving the MCC a lineup of 10 schools, there was no room for a non-league contest.

It also means that MCC teams will play an unbalanced schedule this season.

So Weeks 1 and 2 are all non-league games — including the Week 1 Kennewick at Pasco game. The MCC schools wanted to keep one of the longest rivalries (over 100 years) going.

So Gonzaga Prep — one of the top program’s in the Greater Spokane League — comes to Kennewick for a major game.

And Graham-Kapowsin, one of the best programs in the state, agreed to visit the Bombers in Richland.

Choose wisely, football fans.

Sept. 17 — Southridge at Chiawana, 7 p.m., Edgar Brown Stadium

A Thursday night contest, and an early test for the visiting Suns to see if they can hold their own against the pre-season favorite Riverhawks.

Matt Johnson’s team loves to run the Wing-T, an offense used to deceive the opposing defense.

Scott Bond’s Chiawana squad has one of the top defensive units, year in and year out, in the MCC. The question is, can the Suns’ D stop Riverhawks QB Emmett Osterdock from moving the ball?

Sept. 25 — Kamiakin at Southridge, 7 p.m., Lampson Stadium

Can the Suns defense find a way to stop Kamiakin’s 1-2 top receiving duo in Mason Severson and Michael Kori? When any of the three Kennewick schools battle each other, it’s going to be intense.

Oct. 9 — Kamiakin at Chiawana, 7 p.m., Edgar Brown Stadium

Last year, Chiawana led 7-3 at the half, and the host Riverhawks went on to win 15-3. But Kamiakin kept it tight until the final minutes.

Oct. 23 — Kamiakin at Richland, 7 p.m., Fran Rish Stadium

If anyone has a defensive plan to try and contain Richland senior QB Jackson Woodard, it might be Braves defensive coordinator Oliver Browning.

Oct. 23 — Kennewick at Chiawana, 7 p.m., Edgar Brown Stadium

The only time these two will meet. Both teams are always battling for the conference title. In the past few years, the Riverhawks D has seemed to have the edge, forcing a lot of Lions turnovers.

Oct. 30 — Richland at Chiawana, 7 p.m., Edgar Brown Stadium

Final regular-season contest, and it could be for the top seed into the postseason. Last year, the Riverhawks hung on to beat the Bombers 21-14.