The Times News Game of the Year - it very well could be.

Undefeated Northwestern hosts undefeated Southern Lehigh on Friday for the Colonial-Schuylkill Gold Division championship in the Times News Game of the Week.

Championship-type defenses do not come around very often and can be hard to find, but in New Tripoli, the Tigers (9-0) just may possess that.

The numbers don’t lie, as Northwestern’s defense has simply dominated its opposition this season. The Tigers are giving up just 7.7 points per game, and only 145.3 total yards per contest. Breaking those numbers down even more, Northwestern is giving up a mere 68.2 rushing yards, and a scant 77.1 passing yards per game.

Both size up front, and overall defensive team speed, has served as the recipe for success for the Tigers’ defense.

The Tigers are anchored up front by defensive linemen Bryer Reichard and Ben Walters.

Reichard leads the team with 6.5 sacks, and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 8.5.

The two big guys up front have freed up space for one of the best linebacker groups in all of District 11 to be able to make big plays.

Dalton Clymer (65 tackles), Blaine Snyder (62 tackles), Shane Hulmes (54 tackles) and Devon Hildebrand (40 tackles) have also been able to create havoc each and every week, while the defensive back group is led by Eli Zimmerman at safety, who leads the Colonial-Schuylkill in interceptions with six.

“It all starts up front with Reichard and Walters. You’re going to have a hard time finding a better dynamic duo than those two guys in the area. They have both seen a lot of double teams this season, and when that has happened that has freed up our linebackers to fly around and make plays. We’re fortunate to have a front seven that has been really disruptive, and that has been able to make plays in our opponents’ backfield consistently,” said Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

“Then on the back end, you have Eli Zimmerman, who leads the league in interceptions, and he has also done a nice job of getting us into the right coverages back there. It has been really fun to watch that unit play all season long.”

This week will undoubtedly present the Tigers’ defense with their toughest challenge to date as a powerful and high-scoring Southern Lehigh Spartans offense visits New Tripoli.

The Spartans are averaging close to 400 yards of offense per game, along with an impressive 48.5 points per game. Other than the first game of the Spartans’ season – a 28-21 win over Quakertown – Southern Lehigh has not scored less than 41 points in a game.

The Spartans are led by quarterback Christopher Fritts (1,443 yards passing, 17 TDs), running back Cade Sawyer (1,217 yards passing, 27 TDs) and wide receiver Andrew Olesh (36 receptions, 713 yards, 9 TDs).

“This is certainly going to be a challenge for us this week. This is the most even and balanced offense that we have seen up to this point in the season. They can run it and they can pass it, but they look to create the big play. This is a big play offense,” said Snyder.

“They want the defense to bite up and then throw it over the top,” said Snyder. “So, we have to limit the big plays. We need to make them work to move the football, and we’re going to need to get some stops. You’re not going to totally stop an offense like they have, but you need to get stops and make one or two more plays than they do.”

The Tigers boast a balanced offensive attack as well, one that has also been able to put up some big points this season.

Northwestern averages 44.7 points per game, and 378.6 yards per contest. Dalton Clymer (908 yards rushing, 15 TDs) has served as the Tigers bruising and hard-running tailback and leads a Tigers’ rushing attack that is averaging 211 yards on the ground per game.

Quarterback Shane Leh has also done a nice job managing the Tigers’ offense and has put up some exceptional passing numbers. Leh has thrown for 1,153 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Northwestern likes to spread the ball around in the passing game with five of its players having 115 or more receiving yards on the season - led by Hildebrand’s 32 catches for 415 yards and seven scores.