Get ready for Jim Thorpe-Notre Dame II.

A month ago, the Olympians traveled to Green Pond and lost 49-21 to the Crusaders. On Saturday night at 7 p.m., they return for a rematch, this time in a District 11 3A semifinal playoff game.

Third-seeded Jim Thorpe is riding a three-game winning streak, and has won four of its last five to finish its regular season at 6-4. Coach Mark Rosenberger explained why his team is peaking at the right time of the season.

“We are a young team and as the season progressed, we have gained a lot more experience,” he said. “Our quarterback, Brett Balliet, has gotten better over the past five or six weeks. We can spread the ball around more now, too, and our players have stepped up.”

In last week’s 28-6 win over Lehighton, Balliet had 121 running and passing yards and has now thrown for 1,042 yards this year. His running ability adds to the number of weapons JT will bring to the field on Saturday night. Cameron Tinajero has run for 605 yards and eight touchdowns. David Fiorito has become an offensive force, having accumulated 481 all-purpose yards. Derryl Fisher has shown the ability to break open the big play and has 625 rushing and receiving yards with eight TDs. Add big tight end Bryson Heydt to a solid receiving corps, and the Olympians can score both on the ground and through the air.

The offensive line has come together with strong preparation from assistant coach Wes Hurley, and has recently dominated the line of scrimmage to open holes for the backs, and also to give time for Balliet to make some big throws.

Defensively, Rosenberger’s Red Swarm have lived up to their name of late, having allowed a mere six points in their last three games. They have given up 169 points on the season with 49 of them coming in the game against Notre Dame.

Crusaders’ coach Philip Stambaugh is fully aware of the success of the team he will face again on Saturday.

“Jim Thorpe is a solid program that wins eight to 10 games every year. They are a championship-caliber team,” said Stambaugh, “This year they’re big up front and very physical.”

The Olympians also know what they’re up against.

The second-seeded Crusaders have a vaunted passing attack that’s led to a 7-2 record. Despite losing their last two, the Crusaders are averaging 40 points a game with a big-play offense led by quarterback Collin Quintano, who has completed 67% of his passes, thrown for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns. Quintano - who has missed the last couple of games with an injury, but is expected back this week - likes to spread the ball around to a stable of fast and athletic receivers led by Nadir Sanders with over 400 receiving yards, and senior Gavin Gibbs, who averages over 10 yards a reception. Ten other receivers have caught passes this season. The ND rushing attack is led by Trevor Shay, who lugs the rock for six yards a carry.

“We have to eliminate their big plays by not leaving our defensive backs on an island when we drop in coverage,” said Rosenberger. “We also have to get pressure on their quarterback, and not let him get comfortable in the pocket.”

But the best defense for Jim Thorpe might be a good offense.

‘We certainly want to control the clock as much as we can, and keep their offense off the field,” said Rosenberger.

In its first game, ND put up over 600 yards of offense. For Thorpe, Tinajero scored two TDs and rushed for 120 yards.

This rematch features two teams with different styles. Will JT be able to establish a run game and control the clock? Will the Red Swarm get pressure on Quintano, and will they be able to keep the Crusaders’ speedy receivers out of the end zone?

Ever since its loss in late September, Jim Thorpe has set its sights on a rematch against the Crusaders.

Motivation is sky high for the Olympians, and Notre Dame is aware of what’s coming.

“We’re preparing for a battle, that’s for sure,” said Stambaugh.

“We’ve been coming together at just the right time,” said Rosenberger

The winner of Saturday’s game will play the winner of the Tamaqua-North Schuylkill game for the District 11 championship.