(Photo by Brook Koch-Guers).

Blue Mountain crushed Lehighton 55-14 in Week 7 on Oct. 4.

Southern Lehigh routed Jim Thorpe 56-12 in Week 6 on Sept. 27.

Those four teams drew rematches for the District 11 Class 4A quarterfinals, which get under way today in Schuylkill County and in the Lehigh Valley. Blue Mountain (7-3) earned the No. 2 seed and will host No. 7 Lehighton (4-6) at the Eagles’ Nest. The game will air live on T-102 101.9 FM, beginning with pregame at 6 p.m. and kickoff at 6:30 p.m.

Jim Thorpe (3-7) enters as the No. 8 seed and will travel to No. 1 Southern Lehigh (8-2) for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

Meanwhile, No. 5 seed Pottsville (5-5) is off to the Valley to take on No. 4 Allentown Central Catholic (4-6) at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown. The game will air live on WPPA 1360 AM and A-106/105.9 FM, beginning with pregame at 6:45 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m.

Rounding out the eight-team field is No. 6 East Stroudsburg North (4-6) visiting No. 3 Bethlehem Catholic (4-6) at 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

Quarterfinal winners will meet Thursday, Nov. 7, in semifinal matchups. The championship game will be at a site and time to be announced depending upon the participants.

Let’s break down the three games involving area teams.

Pottsville at ACC

Both teams will look to shake off disappointing Week 10 losses, Pottsville 36-0 to North Schuylkill and Allentown Central Catholic 35-0 to Whitehall.

“We have the opportunity to win a playoff game,’’ Pottsville coach Mike Brennan said. “The way this game works, you’re at the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We’ve experienced both throughout the course of the year. Now is an opportunity to play an East Penn team in a playoff game and continue the process of moving in the right direction. … I’m excited to take the kids down there and see how far we’ve come.’’

The Vikings have been tested in the rugged East Penn Conference. Their wins have come against Trinity, Pocono Mountain East, William Allen and Dieruff. ACC lost to Liberty, Freedom, Bethlehem Catholic, Emmaus, Parkland and Whitehall.

“They’re big. They’re physical,’’ Brennan said. “They look a lot like North Schuylkill on both sides of the ball with their system and their scheme, They play a very aggressive schedule. They do a lot offensively.’’

Pottsville will be without senior standout Tsirell Curry, who was ejected from last week’s game against the Spartans. Curry is the Tide’s main big-play threat, catching 40 passes for 797 yards and six touchdowns on offense and intercepting four passes on defense.

Brennan said running back JuJu Bainbridge (147-830, 11 TDs) was injured last week but practiced and should be good to go. Evan Galavage (24-171, 2 TDs) returns to add depth in the backfield.

Quarterback Andrew Allen has completed 109-of-193 passes for 1,619 yards with 12 TDs and nine interceptions. Letrel Montone (27-379, 4 TDs) and Christian Alvarez (16-244) are his main targets with Curry out of the lineup.

Lehighton at Blue Mountain

It was all Eagles the first time around, as Cole Swick intercepted a pass on the first play of the game from scrimmage to set the tone.

Both coaches cautioned that this one could be different.

“I think the most important thing we have to do is understand the first game against Lehighton happened a long time ago, and both teams have made changes and adjustments since then,’’ Blue Mountain coach Tom Gallagher said. “We cannot go in thinking it will be just like our first game. We have to focus on getting better, and we need to focus on taking care of the little things this week.’’

Lehighton coach Tom McCarroll agreed.

“There is clearly some familiarity, but anytime there are weeks between games, you’re sure to expect some changes and adjustments,’’ McCarroll said. “We treat it like we’re playing a brand-new opponent.’’

After falling to Pottsville in Week 9, Blue Mountain got back on track by defeating Tamaqua 21-7 last week. Freshman quarterback Cohen Kirby got the start, throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. On the year, he’s completed 15-of-26 passes for 279 yards and four scores.

Senior Tyler Stahley heads the rushing attack, carrying 163 times for 1,001 yards and 12 TDs.

Seniors Bradley Renninger (25-517, 5 TDs) and Gaige Guers (35-604, 6 TDs) are the top receivers.

Defensively, leading tackler Reese Miller (82 stops, 6 sacks) may be out or limited because of injury. Lane Noecker (57 tackles) and Guers (6 interceptions) will look to pick up the slack.

“Offensively, they have playmakers in all areas,’’ McCarroll said. “Their line is big and physical. It’s difficult to get a gauge on them at times because of how dynamic they can be.

“Defensively, Blue Mountain is aggressive, and they fly around to the ball,’’ he added. “Their speed and physicality pose problems for any offense.’’

Lehighton has moved the ball and scores 23.2 points per game. The problem for the Indians has been stopping people, as their opponents average 28.9 points per game.

Jacob Ferguson (50-553, 5 TDs) and Lukas Croizier (117-548, 4 TDs) lead the rushing game. Quarterback Jayse Lawrence runs the show. He’s completed 92-of-159 passes for 1,062 yards with 13 TDs and eight interceptions. Lawrence spreads the ball around to receivers Caden Meek (25-313, 4 TDs), Blake Roberts (25-241, 1 TD) and Joe Roth (24-329, 4 TDs).

“Lehighton has really started to run the ball well,’’ Gallagher said. “They have a dual-threat QB who is a very good athlete, as well as a few other skilled guys, and a big offensive line. We will need to be physical and fly to the ball to limit what they like to do.

“Defensively, they have really gotten more aggressive with the run,’’ Gallagher added. “They bring some different pressures and try to confuse the offensive line, so it’s important we have our eyes up and are communicating up front.’’

Said McCarroll: “Anytime you can get postseason experience, it’s good for your program. We have been playing good football the past few weeks, so we are excited about the extra opportunity to play.’’

Jim Thorpe at Southern Lehigh

The Spartans started the season 1-1, then ripped off seven straight victories before falling 23-17 to Northwestern Lehigh last week.

Southern Lehigh has size on both lines and playmakers spread all over the field. Quarterback Colton Sams can stretch the field with his arm; tight end and Michigan recruit Andrew Olesh makes an impact blocking, catching passes and returning punts; and Sean Steckert runs effectively between the tackles.

Jim Thorpe counters with quarterback Cole Lazorick and school-record-setting wide receiver Justin Yescavage. Lazorick has passed for 1,670 yards with 14 TDs and nine interceptions. Yescavage has caught 52 passes for 735 yards and four TDs.

“Anytime you are in the playoffs, there is a sense of excitement around being part of the hunt for a championship,’’ Jim Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger said. “We know that we have our work cut out for us against the No. 1 seed, but at this juncture, we are all 0-0.

“They are a big and physical team with excellent skilled players, including a Michigan-bound WR/TE (Olesh),’’ Rosenberger added. “Defensively, they are very active and athletic. We need to figure out a way to slow down their run game.’’