Pottsville's JuJu Bainbridge looks for running room during a Schuylkill/Colonial Red Division game against Lehighton at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Danie Mae Photography)

One semifinal will be a rematch.

The other will feature an upstart coming off a major upset.

When the District 11 Class 4A semifinals begin Week 12 action tonight, three Schuylkill/Colonial League teams and one from the East Penn Conference will clash with berths in the district final on the line.

The rematch has No. 5 Pottsville (6-5) visiting top-seeded Southern Lehigh (9-2). The game will air live on WPPA 1360 AM and A-106/105.9 FM, beginning with pregame at 6:15 p.m. and kickoff at 6:30 p.m.

Pottsville knocked off Allentown Central Catholic 14-7 and Southern Lehigh ousted Jim Thorpe 56-27 last week.

“That was our process throughout the course of the season,’’ Pottsville coach Mike Brennan said. “We were young in spots, and this is our first year together. We knew it was going to be a building process, and the thought was to build for the stretch run. … Winning a playoff game against an East Penn team on the road was exciting for us and a step in the right direction.’’

Meanwhile, seventh-seeded Lehighton (5-6) will travel to No. 3 Bethlehem Catholic (5-6) at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

Lehighton extended its season by pulling off the stunner of the playoffs so far, knocking off No. 2 Blue Mountain 29-28 in last week’s quarterfinals. Bethlehem Catholic advanced with a 42-7 romp over East Stroudsburg North.

“It means a lot to have extra time,’’ Lehighton coach Tom McCarroll said of playing into Week 12. “It allows us to continue to build relationships with the players. Plus, anytime you’re playing well at the end of the season, you don’t want it to stop. This group has finally put it together, and they are seeing what they’re capable of.’’

Let’s break down each semifinal:

Pottsville at Southern Lehigh

The Crimson Tide checked another box on their list of season goals by defeating a depleted ACC team for a playoff victory, advancing to Week 12 and getting extra time to work with both the seniors and underclassmen.

“You’re learning together. You’re watching film together,’’ Brennan said. “You’re going through the routine together for important football games. It’s priceless experience. … It will certainly pay dividends next year.’’

Senior Tsirell Curry, who missed last week’s game due to a suspension, will be back in the lineup. He has 40 receptions for 800 yards and 6 TDs this season and has picked off four passes. Curry had an interception against Southern Lehigh and returned it 80 yards for an apparent touchdown. However, the play got called back due to a block-in-the-back penalty.

Capitalizing on turnovers will be a point of emphasis this week.

For Southern Lehigh, sophomore QB Colton Sams has completed 119-of-190 passes for 2,141 yards with 25 TDs and four interceptions. Senior Andrew Olesh, a Michigan recruit, has caught 47 passes for 797 yards and 7 TDs. Junior Luke Kawczenski (32-643, 10 TDs) is another prime target.

A major focus for the Tide will be containing junior running back Sean Steckert (171-1,378, 22 TDs). Steckert ran wild in the first meeting at Pottsville, carrying 38 times for 228 yards and three touchdowns. He took a screen pass 53 yards for another score.

“We have to be better on defense than we were in Week 5,’’ Brennan said. “That night they overwhelmed us with their size. They wore us down in the second half. We feel like what cost us in that game we certainly improved over the course of the year.

“They have weapons everywhere, and with their size and physicality, it makes it very challenging,’’ Brennan added. “For us to win the football game this time of the year, you always have to play defense, but I think that’s especially true this week.’’

Sophomore QB Andrew Allen leads the Tide attack. He’s completed 120-of-210 passes for 1,688 yards with 13 TDs and nine interceptions.

Junior JuJu Bainbridge has emerged as a featured back, carrying 167 times for 936 yards and 12 TDs. In the first meeting against the Spartans, Bainbridge racked up 209 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

Senior Letrel Montone (30-383, 5 TDs), junior Christian Alvarez (19-288) and sophomore Max Clews (15-118, 1 TD) are other receivers for Pottsville.

Senior Brayden Evans (106 tackles) leads a defense that has gotten contributions from the likes of Gage Hammer, Tahlil Flucker-White and Brody Herndon, among others. Shay Strencosky leads the team with five interceptions.

The Tide got worn down in the first meeting and gave up too many big plays. On the night, Southern Lehigh led 63-44 in offensive plays and 21-12 in first downs. Pottsville will look to even those stats this time around, so third and fourth downs on offense and defense will be crucial.

“We have to play a clean football game,’’ Brennan said. “Our best defensive performances have been a direct result of us being able to run the football on offense. … I feel our kids are as excited about football in Week 12 as we were in Week 1.’’

Lehighton at Bethlehem Catholic

Lehighton has revved up its running game of late, with three players getting the bulk of the work: Lukas Croizier (128-619, 4 TDs), Jacob Ferguson (61-586, 5 TDs) and quarterback Jayse Lawrence (91-524, 6 TDs).

Lawrence has completed 101-of-172 passes for 1,164 yards with 15 TDs and nine interceptions. His top targets are Caden Meek (28-334, 4 TDs), Joe Roth (27-379, 6 TDs) and Blake Roberts (27-264, 1 TD).

“Our injury situation is relatively positive,’’ McCarroll said. “We are possibly getting some key pieces back this week, which will add to our game plan and provide depth.’’

Bethlehem Catholic will counter with junior QB Cayden Vassa, who has completed 84-of-166 passes for 1,164 yards with 11 TDs and 11 interceptions.

Sophomore Carter Vassa (32-461, 5 TDs) and senior Rodney Brodie (31-539, 6 TDs) are the Golden Hawks’ main receivers.

Sophomore Jeziah Gregory (114-726, 5 TDs) leads the running game.

“BECA is an East Penn Conference team, so they have athletes at the skill positions and they have size on their lines,’’ McCarroll said. “Our challenge will be to stay disciplined in all phases of the game.

“Offensively, we’ll need to continue to control the line of scrimmage,’’ McCarroll added. “We’ve been very successful running the ball, so that has to be where we hang our hats. Defensively, we need to minimize big plays and make them work for their yards. Their QB is a great athlete, so we need to contain him.’’