When he took over as head football coach at Catasauqua, alum Travis Brett took a program that had won one game in the previous two seasons and transformed them into district playoff team.

However, Brett decided that four years was enough. He recently tendered his resignation after he posted an overall 22-23 record with four-straight postseason berths. Predecessor Mike McClarin had a 1-12 mark in two years, and the program won 10 games over the past six years.

This past season, the Rough Riders ended their campaign with an overall 6-6 record, losing to Williams Valley in a district playoff game. Expectations were high at Catty after they lost in the waning seconds, 32-29, to Executive Education in the district final.

The Roughies high hopes were popped when they dropped three-straight games in midseason, but they bounced back to win three-straight down the stretch. Catty suffered a 34-20 loss to Williams Valley in the district playoffs and then ended its season with a 47-7 defeat to Northampton on Thanksgiving. Brett’s teams dropped four-straight games against Northampton.

During his stint, Brett’s highest win total was seven, achieving a 7-5 record in 2021 and a 7-6 record in 2022.

Brett, a 1993 grad who played on three District 11 and two Colonial League Championship teams, was grateful for his opportunity.

“I wish the kids and the football team nothing but the best,” said Brett, who always chose his few words carefully. “I hope their success continues.

“The program has come a long way in four years. We had success over the past four years and that was because of the kids. They worked hard.”

Recently graduated running back Hunter Reitz relished the last four years under Brett.

“I’ve enjoyed playing the last four years,” said Reitz. “I’ve made great memories and earned life lessons that I’ll have forever.”