The similarities between the Lehighton and Saucon Valley football teams are striking.

After both lost seven games in 2012, the Indians and Panthers have rebounded with back-to-back trips to the postseason the past two years. Saucon Valley was an Eastern Conference and District 11 Class AAA runner-up in 2013 and 2014 respectively while Lehighton suffered first round losses in the district playoffs in each of the last two seasons.The Indians, led by Tom McCarroll, and Panthers, coached by Matt Evancho, have continued to trend upwards because of their abilities to foster the talent of their underclassmen, many of whom saw significant playing time early in their careers and are now flourishing as juniors and seniors.While both have made great strides, a marquee season with a signature moment has eluded the two programs.That is, until now.Simply put, Lehighton and Saucon Valley have been perfect in 2015.Led by balanced offensive attacks and stifling defenses, both teams finished the regular season 10-0, with the Indians capturing the Anthracite Football League title and the Panthers claiming the Colonial League crown.On Saturday night, their paths will finally converge in the District 11 Class AAA title game in what will be an historic finale at Lehighton's 70-plus year old stadium."It means a lot," said McCarroll. "When you have kids that have been with the program, not always as starters, but have put the time in, it's very rewarding for me as a coach to see them get this opportunity."In last Saturday's 27-7 semifinal victory over Blue Mountain, quarterback Tyler Cann, who has completed 104-of-159 passes for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns with only three interceptions this season, connected with six different receivers. The senior finished 11-for-22 for 174 yards through the air.Cann's favorite targets on the outside have been Tegan Durishin (40 receptions, 630 yards, six touchdowns) and Nick Chambers (17 catches, 400 yards, seven scores), who have shown the ability to stretch the field.But Lehighton also possesses one of the most punishing tailbacks in the area in Wyatt Clements, who has rushed for 1,564 yards and 22 touchdowns on 221 carries this season.The Panthers did a stellar job in containing Bethlehem Catholic quarterback Julian Spigner (1,579 yards passing during the regular season) and tailback Antwon Keenan (1,247 yards rushing and 32 total TDs) in last week's 14-6 semifinal win over the Golden Hawks.Spigner was limited to 7-of-19 passing for 112 yards without a touchdown, while Keenan was held to 80 yards rushing and one TD on 13 carries, as Saucon Valley held Bethlehem Catholic to under 250 yards of total offense."There are some things we can take from the Becahi game," said Evancho, who is in his ninth season coaching the Panthers. "But they (Lehighton) are more of a north-south team that can pound the ball up the middle, and they have weapons on the outside."We have to keep everything in front of us. We can't let any of their guys get behind the defense."And Evancho knows all about big plays, as Saucon has one of the most prolific players in all of District 11 football in tailback Evan Culver, who has rushed for 2,125 yards and 34 touchdowns this season."I don't know if we can stop him," McCarroll said. "He's a pretty incredible athlete. Our goal will be to limit his biggest runs to six, or seven yards, and not let him break off a 68-yard touchdown like he did last week,"While Culver gets most of the attention, the Panthers also have a talented QB in Zach Thatcher, who has thrown for 973 yards and 11 scores while completing 66 percent of his passes. Thatcher has also run for 832 yards and 14 touchdowns.With the stage set and the players ready, the time is now for one team to leave its mark as a district champion.No matter how daunting the task, it's one McCarroll knows his team is ready for."We like the pressure," he said. "The kids have responded well to it all year."I want them to be able to look back and have great memories of what they've done this season, and know that they gave it everything they had in this game."