Catasauqua certainly will be returning to an unfavorite place Saturday night to begin their District 11 Class 2A playoff quest.

The fourth-seeded Rough Riders (6-4) will travel down Route 412 to top-seeded Palisades in a quarterfinal round matchup Saturday evening. The Pirates beat the host Roughies, 20-17, in overtime two weeks ago in a tight, physical contest.

Two years ago, Catty traveled to Palisades for an opening-round playoff game, and the Pirates posted a 36-0 victory. In 2020, Palisades went on to win their second district title in four years.

The Roughies haven’t beaten Palisades since the 2013 season when they won a regular-season game as well as the district championship game.

This time, Catty head coach Travis Brett isn’t expecting anything different from their first meeting two weeks ago.

“They probably will show us a couple of different things,” said Brett. “But we expect them to run the ball. They did throw the ball more than normal against Saucon Valley last week.

“Their quarterback is their best athlete on the field. He has a good arm and can run. He also plays a very good safety spot. He is a heck of a football player.

Palisades (8-2) defeated Saucon Valley 14-7, last week, and the Pirates have won six in a row. Their last loss was a 39-0 loss to Southern Lehigh Sept. 16.

Pirates’ quarterback Kai Stiansen threw for 99 yards and running back Stephen Lilly ran for 135 in the victory over Saucon Valley.

Catty running back Anthonie Hunsicker ran for 144 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Roughies’ 53-6 victory over Salisbury last week.

Hunsicker is anxious for the rematch.

“Last time, we came out flat, and they made adjustments,” he said. “We struggled with their adjustments then.

“But we are fired up, and be ready for revenge.”

Like his players, Brett is lying in wait for the rematch.

“Our guys had their confidence boosted the way they dominated Salisbury,” said Brett. “We had a chance to get more kids in the lineup and rest some guys. Palisades had a game with Saucon Valley.

“We did some things that cost us and we came out flat last time against Palisades. I still believe we are the better team.”

NOTES AND PREDICTION: Senior Mike Monberger got the start at tackle in place of Matt Fotta, who had an injury ... Quarterback Christian Fye was five-for-five for 67 yards, and linebacker/running back Chad Beller added 68 yards. Fye has completed 61 of 113 attempts for 813 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions ... Lilly has 1,174 yards with 18 rushing touchdowns ... The Pirates have amassed 2,501 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground as a team. Stiansen has thrown for 697 yards with five touchdowns ... Catty’s Wyatt Younes had 28 catches for 307 yards with two touchdowns, and Ian Juica has 21 catches for 396 yards and six touchdowns ... Winner of this game will meet either Executive Education or Williams Valley ... This looms as another slugfest. Palisades had a scare last week against Saucon Valley, but they hung on. Catty learned from their mistakes last time, and they will look to set an early tone. Like both teams here, but have a slight lean to the Roughies. Coach Snyder and assistant AD Dave Troxell will be stopping with me at Jimmy’s Hot Dogs in Easton on the way home ... ROUGHIES, 24-21.