By the midpoint of the season, most football teams should have a good idea of who they are and where they stand.

Both Northern Lehigh (2-2) and Palmerton (1-3) face a crucial test as they look for a victory to propel them into the second half of the season in the annual “Battle for the Blue Mountain.”

The matchup between the Bulldogs and the Bombers is the Times News Week 5 Game of the Week.

Both teams are coming off disappointing losses.

Northern Lehigh opened the season with a big win over Lehighton, dropped a Week Two contest to powerhouse Northwestern, bounced back with another win over a now 3-1 Pen Argyl team, but fell last week on the road to Palisades — the current No. 1 team in the District 11 2A power ratings. The Bulldogs battled hard in Kintnersville but were outscored 14-0 in the second half. A 97-yard kickoff return to start the third quarter swung momentum to Palisades, and the Bulldogs also struggled to defend the pass, allowing 203 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

Northern Lehigh was able to move the ball on the ground, rushing for 202 yards and two scores. Grady Newhard led with 65 yards, while Garrett Smoyer added 52. Chris Frame and Ryan Zambo chipped in 46 and 40 yards, respectively. The Bulldogs’ offense has developed a host of playmakers Smoyer can count on.

Frame has been one of the most dynamic players in the Times News area, rushing for 328 yards and six scores at 9.65 yards per carry. He’s also added 185 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Senior Grady Newhard has 296 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Zambo (118 receiving yards, 1 TD) and Colin Karetsky (111 receiving yards, 2 TDs) have also been steady contributors.

“We knew going in last week that it was a pretty even matchup. I thought there were just a couple of plays that decided the game. And give them credit for making those plays,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout. “We came out of the gates strong, but we didn’t finish the way we needed to. We’re not doing some of the fundamental things you need to do to win games, so we need to work to get that fixed.”

Palmerton’s offense has struggled to move the ball consistently, but when the Bombers have had success, it has come when they’ve been able to establish the run. Stopping Palmerton’s rushing attack will be priority No. 1 for the Bulldogs’ defense Friday night.

“They have around four or five run plays that they want to run,” said Tout. “They run counter trey very well, quick trap and inside zone. And they’re going to want to pull Logan Anthony. He’s their stud, and they want to run behind him. So we have to recognize that. Recognition is going to be big for us in defending against their run game.

“This week is going to be one of those weeks of practice where the players probably aren’t going to enjoy practice very much. It’s one of those weeks where we need to shake the hornets nest. It’s going to be a grind-it-out type of week. We have high expectations for this group. So, after the tough week of practice, we’re hoping that our guys come out and play with intensity and this tough week of practice shows out there.”

Palmerton looked to be back on track after an 0-2 start with a win over Saucon Valley in Week Three, when the Bombers were effective in the trenches and in the run game. But Palmerton couldn’t build off that momentum in Week Four, rushing for just 55 yards at 1.5 yards per carry, and giving up 237 rushing yards in a 35-0 loss to Lehighton. Turnovers have also been a problem, as the Bombers are averaging almost three per game.

Offensively, the Bombers are averaging just 13.3 points per game and 212 yards per game. Vincent Taglieri leads the rushing attack with 194 yards, while Ben Negley paces the receiving corps with 14 catches for 168 yards.

“We have to be able to run the ball and get our run game going. There has been a combination of reasons that have contributed to our issues running the ball. We have to stay on blocks, we need to communicate up front better, and we need to run through tackles. Our ball carriers cannot go down on first contact,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “And the turnovers definitely need to stop. You’re not going to win many football games turning the ball over three or four times per game. We need to do a better job of creating turnovers, and creating opportunities.”

Giving up big plays was also a major factor in Palmerton’s loss to Lehighton. The Indians scored on three consecutive possessions that covered 151 yards — an average of 50.3 yards per touchdown.

“Going into this week, we also have to limit the big plays,” said Walkowiak. “Lehighton had three one-play drives against us last week that went for big yards. Northern Lehigh has Frame, who is a dynamic weapon, but they have a bunch of weapons. And their quarterback manages the game very well, and can hurt you running it and throwing it. It’s truly pick your poison with them.

“They have a lot of athletes, so for us we have to just go back to the fundamentals. Play the game with fundamentals and execution and make plays. Of course, winning the battle along the line of scrimmage is always the key, but again, for us, it’s going to be about playing disciplined, fundamental football for four quarters.”