If Catasauqua’s performance against Dieruff in a scrimmage last week is any indication of their upcoming season, the Rough Riders easily will surpass their one-win total over the past two seasons.

They appear to be in a good situation for their season opener at Palmerton Friday.

“The scrimmage was really good against Dieruff,” said Roughies’ first-year head coach Travis Brett. “The kids played really well. We weren’t keeping score, but I believe we would have beat them if we did.”

“They had size and speed, but we were right there with them. We were in the right position and we had a pretty sound scrimmage.”

Brett stated the teams had a 7-on-7 drill, some blocking drills, and then a half of football.

He was pleased with the performance of freshman quarterback Nasir McLean, who will get the start Friday.

He also was happy with the play of freshmen tailback Hunter Reitz and linebacker Chad Beller, who should see time in the backfield with junior Elijah Soler and sophomore Anthonie Hunsicker. Soler has been sidelines the past few weeks with knee sprain.

“Nasir looked good,” said Brett. “He was able to run and throw. He completed a good number of passes and looked confident. He did everything that we asked of him.

“Hunter hasn’t played in two years, and he looks very good. Soler will be back and Hunsicker runs the ball well. Beller has done a nice job, and he’ll get a start.”

Up front, the Roughies have solidified their line.

Seniors Mason Hess and Doug Scott will be at left tackle and guard respectively, junior Gabe Toth will man the middle, and freshman Myles Melendez and senior Ty Monahan will take the right side at guard and tackle.

Melendez will be at nose tackle and also handle some of the kicking duties along with junior Wesley Fotta.

Running cross country and also spending time with the soccer team, Melendez is a throwback.

“He’s invaluable,” said Brett of his freshman phenom. “He was running five miles a day before practice. He just keeps working and is a tremendous young man. He will help us in many ways.

“Defensively, Melendez and the rest of the guys did a great job. (Defensive coordinator Tim) Fish (Fisher) showed some blitzes and he called a nice game.”

As for Palmerton, the Blue Bombers are coming off a 3-7 season and lost multi-positional player Jordy Nelson and a handful of others from a small senior core.

Brett believes his team can be right there with a disciplined approach.

“Palmerton is going to be a good challenge for us,” said Brett. “We have to have good defensive end play, contain the quarterback and the run, and get pressure up front.

“If we limit mistakes, we can play with them.”