Bring it on.

The road to the District 11 Class 3A title game for Notre Dame and Northwestern will go through New Tripoli on Thursday night as the Tigers host the semifinal matchup between the longtime Colonial League rivals.

Following its big quarterfinal win over Jim Thorpe last week, Northwestern (9-2) will entertain the high-scoring Crusaders. Notre Dame (9-2) comes into the game off an impressive win over Saucon Valley last week.

This game will match two teams with very different offensive styles of football, but who share one huge similarity - outstanding quarterback play.

The Crusaders like to throw the ball, and will put it in the air 30 or more times a game. Last week, Danny Darno threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns.

But Darno’s success doesn’t only come off his arm; he can also hurt defenses with his legs. Against Saucon Valley, he ran for 133 yards and two TDs. For the season, Darno has thrown for 2,438 yards and rushed for another 1,071. He has accounted for 47 touchdowns through 11 games.

Of course, Darno has lethal weapons to accommodate his superior play. Running back Josh Ludlow averages five yards per carry. A main target for Darno’s pass game is AJ Lozano, who caught three TDs last week and has 40 receptions for 703 yards and 14 TDs on the season.

Crusaders’ coach, Phil Stambaugh likes his team’s performance of late.

“We’ve been doing some really good things,” he said, “and our defense has been strong.”

Northwestern coach Josh Snyder knows the challenge of facing a team that can put up lots of crooked numbers on the scoreboard.

“Their quarterback is very dangerous, and he’s especially good when the protection breaks down and he scrambles from the pocket,” Snyder said. “He likes to find a hole in the middle of the line of scrimmage. He also likes to get the ball out quickly on slants and screens, so it’s tough to get pressure on him. We will be prepared with several defensive packages that will hopefully change the timing of their pass routes.”

But as impressive as Darno has been, Northwestern quarterback Cade Christopher doesn’t take a back seat to anyone.

Last week, Christopher carried the ball 15 times for 85 yards and two TDs. He is joined in the Tiger backfield by halfback Dalton Clymer, giving Northwestern a powerful 1-2 punch on the ground. Against Jim Thorpe, Clymer lugged the ball 27 times for 182 yards and a touchdown. For the season, the “Super C” boys have combined for 2,614 yards rushing and an incredible 38 touchdowns. The pair have accounted for 77% of the total number of carries for the team this season.

“We are a move-the-chains and run-the-clock-type of team,” said Snyder. “Obviously, against a team like Notre Dame, it’s an advantage. When we have the ball, they don’t.”

The Tigers threw the ball an uncharacteristic 21 times against Thorpe, prompting the question of whether they intend to present a more balanced attack tonight.

“We know that teams will jam the box against us,” said Snyder, “so we have flexible play-calling to throw the ball where and when we see it’s a good idea.”

Nevertheless, the Tigers’ basic game plan is to pound the ground against a Notre Dame defense that has been vulnerable to teams running the ball against them on occasion this year. Notre Dame enters the contest allowing an average of 23 points per game.

“We like to think we can wear them down as the game goes along,” said Snyder.

Stambaugh - a teammate of Snyder at Lehigh University during their playing days - said Notre Dame has a pretty good idea of what it can expect from Northwestern.

“We expect them to use their two backs to run the ball ... but when they do throw, they have a good receiver in Devon Hildebrand who we have to account for.”

It will be strength against strength when the Crusaders have the ball, as the Tigers’ “D” is allowing an average of just two touchdowns a game. On the other hand, Notre Dame has frequently put up six or more scores a game.

Stambaugh said his team’s consistency will be a major factor in the outcome.

“We have to start fast and finish fast,” he said. “On defense, we have to get stops, and do whatever the game dictates that’s necessary to win.”

Snyder is extremely happy having the home field advantage. The Tigers have 13 seniors, who win or lose, will be playing their final game on their home field.

“Our community really comes out to support our football team,” he said. “Our fans are loud, and our players are very comfortable playing in front of them here.”

The battle between Notre Dame and Northwestern might boil down to the Crusaders’ air force against the Tigers’ infantry - with both armies being led by terrific field captains in Darno and Christopher.

Fans should expect a great game, with the winner moving onto the D11 title game against either Palmerton or North Schuylkill.