Northern Lehigh and Palmerton are two teams in two different positions at the midway point of the season.

The Bulldogs are having a nice bounce back season after taking their lumps with a young lineup a year ago.

On the other hand, the Bombers are still searching for their first win of 2024 after losing a majority of their experience to graduation.

Still, the “Battle for the Blue Mountain” always produces an exciting atmosphere, as Northern Lehigh (3-1) heads to Fireline Road to take on Palmerton (0-4) in the Times News Game of the Week this Friday.

The Bulldogs opened the season with an impressive come-from-behind win over Lehighton in Week 1, but suffered a tough lopsided loss to juggernaut Northwestern Lehigh in Week 2.

At 1-1, the Bulldogs were able to get a healthy Garrett Smoyer back behind center, and since that time, the Northern Lehigh offense has started to evolve. The Bulldogs, who were extremely run-heavy for the first two weeks of the season, have averaged 167.5 yards per game through the air over the past two weeks in wins over Pen Argyl and Palisades.

Smoyer had a big night for Northern Lehigh against Palisades last week, throwing for 212 yards and two scores with just two incompletions. Chris Frame had four catches for 116 yards and a touchdown, and Grady Newhard had a solid night on the ground, rushing for 108 yards and two rushing scores on just 13 carries.

On the season, Smoyer has passed for 335 yards and four touchdowns, Newhard leads the way in the rushing department with 305 yards and four touchdowns, and Frame leads the receivers with 216 yards and two scores.

“We have been able to do some good things over the past few weeks. A lot of it is just getting reps as well. We still have six to seven sophomores out there starting for us. We have had some moving pieces, but we’re definitely getting better every week as we should be,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

“Since Garrett has been able to go under center, it just brings a different throwing dynamic to our offense. We’re still going to use Ayden Oswald at quarterback as well, as he’s done some nice things for us. He’s been the ultimate team player. But we’re just going to keep working to improve our passing game, and let that part of our offense continue to naturally progress. It’s still in our DNA to run the football. We’re going to challenge our guys this week to come out and be the more physical football team. Defensively for us, we know it starts and it ends for them with their quarterback, so we’re focused on stopping him.”

Palmerton has shown flashes this season, especially early on in games. The Bombers have been outscored by only 10 points (31-21) in the first quarter of games this season.

However, over the next three quarters of play, they have been outscored 155-25, including 48-0 in the fourth quarter. The reason for Palmerton’s early success has been its run game, specifically its quarterback run game with senior Jameson Trainer.

Last week, the Bombers were leading 14-7 behind a big rushing quarter from Trainer before Lehighton eventually took control with explosive plays in the passing game.

Trainer finished with 134 yards on the ground and a rushing score against the Tribe, and also threw a 20-yard touchdown pass on Palmerton’s first possession of the game to wide receiver Alex Keiper, once again getting the Bombers out to a good start. On the season, Trainer has rushed for 279 yards and five touchdowns.

“Trainer has done a really nice job for us in the run game this season. He’s been running hard and north and south, but then he’s been able to make guys miss as well. We’re always going to look to establish the run every week. What we need to really improve on is limiting our opponents’ big plays. The big plays have just killed us, and then that has killed our momentum on the offensive end as well. We have been able to get to good starts because I think we’re well prepared and we have high energy, but we have to be able to make teams work for it, and if we do give up the big play, we have to be able to come back on offense and move the sticks,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

“Tackling, alignment, assignment will all be key for us once again this week against a good Northern Lehigh team. They have been getting some big plays for touchdowns in their passing game, so we have to be ready for that, but they’re also physical, and they’re going to look to run the football. We just have to be more consistent in every phase, and we have to play complementary football.”