Delaware Valley and Abington Heights battle each season for a trophy that intensifies the rivalry between the two big-school programs in the Lackawanna Football Conference.

For the third consecutive year, they will also compete for a plaque that is slightly more treasured than the I-84 Black and Blue Jug.

On Friday, third-seeded Delaware Valley (6-5) plays at No. 1 Abington Heights (9-2) for the District 2 Class 5A championship at the Abington Heights High School Athletic Complex at 7 p.m.

The teams split the previous two meetings in the district final. Delaware Valley defeated the Comets, 55-16, in 2023. Last season, Abington Heights earned a hard-fought 20-14 win over the Warriors.

“We are extremely pumped,” Delaware Valley senior running back Mike Iuzzolino said. “It’s a great chance to be back in the district championship. We are glad to be here. We had a setback last year when we lost to them, so we are really looking forward to the game.”

Earlier this season, when Abington Heights made the trip to Milford for the regular season matchup with Delaware Valley as part of Warrior Weekend, the Comets were coping with playing without starting quarterback Nick Bradley.

Delaware Valley was trying to save its season, which had gotten off to a concerning 1-4 start.

The teams battled to a 7-7 tie at halftime. Mike Iuzzolino had a 1-yard touchdown run for Delaware Valley, and Noah Kayal, filling in for Bradley, had one too.

In the second half, Iuzzolino had a 26-yard touchdown, and Devin Estevez gave the Warriors a 21-7 lead with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter. Kayal and Gavin Anders rallied the Comets to within 21-14 on a 28-yard touchdown reception.

Then, Iuzzolino slammed the door by returning the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in a 28-14 win.

“Their run game is really good,” said Abington Heights senior Gavin Anders, who had eight tackles and shared the team lead with linebacker Thatcher Loss in the first meeting with Delaware Valley.

“That is the No. 1 thing we have to slow down. They had more intensity playing at home last time. We have to show out with more intensity when we are playing at home. This is going to be a physical battle.”

Delaware Valley stayed alive for an LFC Division I title but got derailed with a heartbreaking loss to North Pocono, 28-21, in overtime in Week 9.

Abington Heights upset Scranton Prep and won four straight games to secure the top seed for the postseason and welcomed Bradley back in Week 10.

Last week, Abington Heights powered past Wyoming Valley West, 53-7, while Delaware Valley fought to a 7-6 win over Pittston Area.

“I feel like we have a great opportunity here, and it is just great having another game to play together,” Anders said. “Being at home on the new turf field and the complex is going to be great, and it will be an amazing atmosphere. With Nick back, too, that is going to be awesome. We have to clean up some of the mistakes that we made the last time we played them and play to our fullest potential.”

The game will feature plenty of star power.

For Delaware Valley, Iuzzolino has 1,270 yards rushing, quarterback Colin McGarvey has 1,653 yards passing and 17 touchdowns, and Trey Newton has 53 receptions for 656 yards and seven touchdowns for an offense that averages 374.0 yards per game this season.

Jayden Anglin has 1,235 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns, Bradley has 1,150 yards passing and 12 touchdowns in seven games, and Gavin Anders has 66 receptions for 1,093 yards and nine touchdowns.

“They are a tough team,” Iuzzolino said. “They are going to run the ball. They make big plays in the passing game. We have to keep our composure. If we make mistakes, have a penalty, or a turnover, we can’t let that dictate the emotions in the game. We have to focus on making the next play after that.”

DISTRICT 2 CLASS 5A CHAMPIONSHIP

3-Delaware Valley (6-5) at 1-Abington Heights (9-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Abington Heights HS Athletic Complex.

Last: Delaware Valley, 28-14 (2025).

Up next: The winner advances to the PIAA Class 5A first round to play the winner of the District 6-8-9-10 subregional final between DuBois and Hollidaysburg.

The buzz: The two Lackawanna Football Conference rivals play for the I-84 Black and Blue Jug Trophy every regular season. They have met in the District 2 Class 5A championship game in 2023 and 2024. Delaware Valley won the 2023 final, 55-16, and Abington Heights won last year’s meeting, 20-14. Abington Heights is 8-3 in District 2 championship game appearances all-time, and Delaware Valley is 9-3 in District 2 title games.