Slow starts.

It has plagued Catasauqua’s football team the last three weeks and it has been a major factor in the Roughies 0-4 start this season.

Their latest was in a 35-7 loss to Southern Lehigh last week.

“We struggled in the first half,” said Rough Riders’ head coach Travis Brett. “In the last three games, we gave up early turnovers and just couldn’t get going.

“We had an interception on our first drive and they scored. They jumped on us 14- and went up 27-0 at halftime.”

Catty scored in late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Nasir McLean hit Brandon Jenny with a 30-yard touchdown pass.

“We played better in the second half,” added Brett. “They kept their starters in the game until the fourth quarter and we held them to seven points. It easily could have been a 14-point game and maybe even a seven-point game if we would have played harder.”

McLean finished the game completing six of 15 passes for 111 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. For the season, McLean has completed 21 of 48 passes for 306 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

“He’s coming along,” said Brett of his freshman quarterback. “He doesn’t start off well in games because he is still nervous. He had a rough first half and he didn’t see the field well.

“He settled down, and we’re trying to get him to throw more. You can see progress with him.”

Brett praised the play of his son, Austin, at free safety, for his eight tackles. The senior also caught a pass at wide receiver for 21 yards.

“He was flying all over the field,” said the coach about his son’s play. “He played a strong game.”

The first-year coach continues to see overall progress with his team.

“Every week I say that we’re young and we are,” said Brett. “We are definitely seeing progress. The officials complimented us and said they see a different team this year than the past few years. Our defensive line is playing better, but our offensive line is still struggling. (Defensive coordinator) Coach Fisher put in some new stuff and the kids reacted to it.

“We have a lot of kids playing both ways and that doesn’t always help us.”

The Roughies will host Wilson Friday night at Alumni Field for their final home game and senior night. The Warriors (2-3) are coming off a 14-0 win at Bangor last week.

“They (Wilson) lost one of their key running backs, but they have some receivers,” said Brett. “They are big up front.

“I think we can compete with them. It will all depend on how we come out.”