They are perennial powers and postseason contenders.

And tonight, they’ll meet to determine the District 11 Class 1A champion.

Both Northern Lehigh and Tri-Valley have become accustomed to playoff football over the years, and have been on a collision course as the top teams in Class 1A throughout the season.

The opportunity that awaits each program at Lehighton’s Multi-Purpose Stadium to deliver a season-defining performance on the biggest stage of the season has been months - maybe even years - in the making.

“I would say this group is battle-tested,” said Northern Lehigh coach Joe Tout. “I don’t want to say the difference between last year and this year, because I think it was a process of even the last two years. But I think with this year’s group, they’re used to it. We don’t expect to have - not that we had them last year - but the jitters, playing for a district championship. For this group, that’s where I would say they’re battle-tested.”

This is third-straight year the Bulldogs (10-1) are playing for a district title. Northern Lehigh won the 2A title on its way to the state semifinals last season after falling to Palisades in the 2A final a year earlier.

Tri-Valley (10-1) advanced to the 1A final a year ago, falling to Williams Valley. The schools were declared co-champions in 2020 when no game was played after Williams Valley topped Tri-Valley in 2019. The Bulldogs were last the sole Class 1A champions in 2018.

“I think it’s a great thing for the kids; they’re really excited,” said Tri-Valley coach Jeffrey Sampson. “We’ve been in the finals the last couple years. We won a couple, we lost a couple. But I think the kids are really excited about another chance to get back to the finals, and play the best they can and hopefully come back with gold.”

To reach this year’s final, top seed Northern Lehigh topped Mahanoy 30-7 in the semifinals, while second-seed Tri-Valley posted a 24-13 victory over Minersville in the other semi.

While Northern Lehigh’s offense put up over 350 yards with three rushing scores and a passing touchdown from Nick Frame a week ago, the defense shut down the Golden Bears, allowing under 100 total yards and forcing three interceptions. The group has been stout all season, holding opponents to just over 200 yards per game.

“Defensively, I thought we played very, very well,” said Tout. “Offensively, I thought we just kind of cruised a bit once we got up by three scores; we didn’t put them away. They had a nice drive in the second half. With the goals that we have to keep playing, you’re looking for those little things, like putting a team away in the early third quarter. As far as the turnovers, those are the things that are going to keep you playing. We’re happy with our defense getting those turnovers, and not turning the ball over on offense as well.”

Against Minersville, Tri-Valley put up over 350 yards of total offense. Quarterback Kole Miller completed 6-of-10 passes for 159 yards and a score, while Kameron Wetzel carried the ball 27 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

“They’re another program that, they’ve been there, they’re used to the playoffs, they expect to win games,” Tout said of Tri-Valley. “If you go back earlier in the year, Line Mountain jumped up on them by 14 and they came back. They’re battle-tested, they’ve faced adversity. I think they had two goal-line stands against Minersville last week.”

The Tri-Valley defense - which is allowing a little over 10 points per game this season - held opposing quarterback Dante Carr to 8-of-26 passing for 132 yards and two interceptions.

“I think we’re similar in a lot of ways,” Sampson said of his squad and Northern Lehigh. “Offensively, I think we like to run the ball, and I think both of us are kind of old school in the fact the we just line up and run the ball ahead, pound the football and try to maintain possession of the football and keep the ball out of the other team’s hands. Defensively, I think we run similar defenses as well.

“They’re a really good football team. I don’t think we’ve played anyone like them per se totally. But I think there’s possibly little difference in several teams that we play that make up what Northern Lehigh is.”

Northern Lehigh has shown its mettle playing in the Red Division of the Schuylkill-Colonial Football League, where it was co-champions with a 6-1 record, while Tri-Valley was 4-1 in the Blue Division.

Big wins over the likes of Northwestern, Notre Dame Green Pond, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua - all Class 3A playoff teams - as well as Class 2A finalist Catasauqua, have prepared Northern Lehigh for the battle that lies ahead.

“The key is going to be first down,” said Tout. “They want to be second and five or less. If you can get them second and seven, it kind of jumps out (that) they’re going to throw. And they’re not as comfortable doing that, so if we can win first downs this week, I think that’s going to set up well for us.”