Both Northern Lehigh and Palmerton are locked into the District 11 postseason.

The Bulldogs (8-1) are currently ranked No. 2 in Class 1A, while the Blue Bombers (6-3) sit in the No. 4 spot in Class 3A.

The postseason doesn’t officially start until next week, but this week’s “Battle of the Blue Mountain” will certainly present a playoff-type atmosphere.

The expected energetic environment on Fireline Road has earned this week’s Times News Game of the Week designation, with the winner heading into its respective bracket with important momentum.

The term “chess match” might serve as a cliche when describing a game in which teams with contrasting styles and advantageous matchups on opposite sides of the ball face off, but for this contest, that cliche is precisely the term that best paints the picture of what this game could look like.

Palmerton’s first-strike and quick-hit offense always looks to be aggressive, using its dynamic quarterback - Matt Machalik (2,135 yards passing and 27 TDs, 971 yards rushing and 17 TDs) - and its host of speedy skill players in the backfield and on the outside to take advantage of big-play opportunities.

The Bombers’ offense is averaging 39.7 points per game and over 420 yards of total offense.

However, the Bulldogs just might possess the perfect counter move with a defense that is giving up just 214 yards per game and 15.2 points per contest.

“Our message has been consistent throughout the season,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “Take care of the football, move the chains on offense and get off the field on third down on defense.

“In the games we have lost this season, we haven’t finished drives, we have turned the ball over and we have given up big plays, especially on third down, when we have had the opportunity to get off the field. We know teams are going to try and keep our offense off the field, use the clock and try to put together long drives against us, so third down will be big for us not only on defense, but as I mentioned on offense as well.”

The Northern Lehigh offense hasn’t been as explosive as the Bombers this season, but it has still been efficient and has controlled the clock.

The Bulldogs like to run the football with multiple running backs, as seven players have rushed for 100 yards or more this season.

Northern Lehigh is averaging over 240 yards per game on the ground, and utilizes a potent play-action passing attack with its talented tight end to bust big plays and convert key third downs. Quarterback Nick Frame (646 yards rushing and 4 TDs) and AJ Jimemez-Wittong (434 yards rushing and 8 TDs) have formed a consistent one-two punch for the Bulldogs, while tight end Austin Smyth is leading the team in receptions (16) and receiving yards (374) with four touchdowns.

“They like to spread the ball around, but Machalik is the guy you can tell they want with the ball in his hands, so our focus is keeping him contained,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout. “We have been working hard on that this week with a bunch of scrambling drills to prepare for his ability to improvise in and out of the pocket and create big plays.

“We can’t allow them to have a ton of big plays, and offensively we’re going to look to win the time of possession battle. That was key for us against Notre Dame in getting that win - a team that we feel has a similar make up to Palmerton.”

The “Battle of the Blue Mountain” features two teams with district championship aspirations, and Friday night’s matchup features two teams where winning the battle - the rivalry game - is just as important to them as winning the war - a district championship.