For a team that won 10 games over the previous six seasons, Catasauqua has accepted its 4-0 start with little fanfare and celebration,

Instead, the Rough Rider have Friday’s matchup with Palmerton (3-1) at Northampton on their minds. The Roughies believe the game will be a true measuring stick of their progress and success this season, as their four wins have been against winless teams.

However, they received a major blow last week when quarterback Christian Fye and lineman Gabe Toth missed the game because of disciplinary actions. Both will miss Friday’s game.

“They did something that wasn’t good, and it is now on the eve of our biggest game of the year,” said Catty head coach Travis Brett. “They both are a big part of our team, and it is very frustrating

“Fye had the chance to have over 1,000 yards passing and Toth had done a great job on both sides of the line. It is a shame.”

The Roughies are coming off a 32-6 victory over Panther Valley, a victory in which they were in control with a 20-0 halftime lead.

Wyatt Younes had a big game for the Roughies with seven receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 76-yard kickoff return.

Anthonie Hunsicker led the team in rushing with 61 yards. He knows it will take the same type of effort from last week and better Friday night.

“I think we all knew we had to work a little bit harder without two key players, but we played hard the whole game,” said Hunsicker. “We were rushing everywhere and making up for mistakes by hustling.

“Palmerton will be a hard game, but I think we can do it if we work together and put in a 100 percent effort.”

Freshman Aiden Hess made his first varsity start in place of Fye, and he had an impressive 14-for-19, 164-yard, two-touchdown performance.

“(Hess) did a great job,” said Brett, “He threw the ball very well. (Hess) made some big and timely plays for us.”

However, Brett has some hesitations without Fye and Toth in the lineup this week. Lineman Jaiver Sobrato had an MRI Monday for his knee, and his status is questionable.

The Roughies will enter Friday’s game as the top seed in the District 11 Class 2A bracket. Palmerton is the fourth seed.

“I think they (Palmerton) are very similar to us,” noted Brett. “They have some good skill people and are very athletic.

“We need to do everything right and have them make some mistakes. It will be a battle. We would like to host a district playoff game on our new field.”

PREDICTION: Palmerton is coming off a 54-0 victory over Marian Catholic, and they blanked Panther Valley, 41-0, a week earlier. Their lone defeat is a tight 17-14 loss to Jim Thorpe. Sophomore quarterback Matt Machalik is a prime dual threat, throwing over 500 yards and is the team’s leading rusher. However, the Blue Bombers had only 17 players in uniform last week due to injuries.

Despite their recent troubles, the Roughies are a sound team, and running back Hunter Reitz will be back from injuries. Catty needs to be the aggressor and take the lead role. Palmerton will be their toughest challenger so far, but there are a few more down the road. Eric Snyder will be smiling Friday night. ROUGHIES, 21-16.