It’s a spirited rivalry in which two area football teams who have excelled on the gridiron will battle it out for supremacy under the Friday night lights.

But ultimately, the clash between the Lehighton and Palmerton football teams at 7 p.m. Friday night in Lehighton is about more than just the final outcome on the scoreboard.

Also at stake is an off-field challenge dubbed the Lehighton Mayor vs. Palmerton Mayor Challenge Rivalry Toy Drive that will pit Lehighton Mayor Ryan Saunders against Palmerton Mayor Bo Rodrigues.

Both mayors agreed the goal is to collect toys for community members in need to make the holidays a little brighter for children in both respective communities, and urge visitors to bring a new toy to Friday’s game in Lehighton.

The Lehighton toys will be donated to LHH Helping Hands Toy Drive and will go to children in Lehighton, while Palmerton toys are being donated to the Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches and will go to children in Palmerton.

Saunders noted that he and Rodrigues got together about a year ago to discuss a friendly competition between the communities to bring the communities together.

“We knew both football teams play each other, it’s a neighborly rivalry,” Saunders said. “There’s not going to be Toys for Tots in the community, so we could use our rivalry as a toy drive for the Palmerton and Lehighton communities for children in need.”

Rodrigues noted that last week he and Slatington Mayor Jeralyn Schoch put their friendly rivalry to the test as part of the Northern Lehigh vs. Palmerton football game in which they challenged their respective communities to come together to collect nonperishable food, gently used clothing, and monetary donations to benefit Valor.

This time, though, Rodrigues said the Lehighton Mayor vs. Palmerton Mayor Challenge Rivalry Toy Drive is a means to collect as many toys as possible for their respective communities.

“It used to be a really big rivalry,” said Rodrigues, who noted that they have friends and families in both communities. “This adds a little bit to the rivalry, (some) banter back and forth.”

There are also toy boxes for collection in the Lehighton area at the Boatyard Bar & Grill, as well as the Styling Zone Salon.

There are also toy boxes for collection in the Palmerton area at Country Harvest Family Market, Siros, Palmerton Diner, Joey Bs, 110 Tavern, Papa Al’s, Wild Thingz (pet store) Dunkin’ Donuts, More Pickles Please, Watch Me Grow Day Care. First Northern Bank, Palmerton Borough Hall, Palmerton Post Office and many Palmerton churches. Those who cannot drop off toys at any of those locations may call 484-522-8899 and the donations will be picked up.

Saunders said, “No matter which team wins bragging rights on the field, both communities win in the end.”

Rodrigues agreed that it’s a friendly competition with bragging rights for their respective communities.

“We’re hoping for a very competitive game,” he added.