After he watched his team's game film against Wilson, head coach Tom Falzone has to think twice about something.

He realized his team ran just under 35 offensive plays in the Roughies' 40-7 opening -game victory over Wilson last Saturday afternoon. Falzone admittedly did a double-take, but he soon knew this team had the same potential of last year's squad that produced 10 mercy-rule victories from their 12-win total.

Catty's first victory may have been more impressive as they registered 40 points before halftime and their first team watched the second half from the sidelines.

For the record, Ra'Von Burton, who has an excellent camp and scrimmages running the ball, ran for a game-high 158 yards on just nine carries and scored on runs of 28, 33, and 64 yards. Quarterback Zack Bradley, who was extremely efficient and effective last season, again made the most of his opportunities with 4-for-7, 67-yard, two-touchdown afternoon.

"The kids responded extremely well," reflected Falzone on the opening game. "They were very anxious to just get out there and hit some someone else besides each other. We knew Wilson was a very young team and we were able to take away several things from them right from the start.

"We were able to put pressure on their quarterback and force some turnovers. We also ran the ball well and that helped open up our passing game. We thought we might have to try some new wrinkles with our offense, but we didn't have to use them."

Falzone also how Burton played with some added incentive when a local daily paper downplayed his significance on the team for the season.

"He (Burton) has been running really hard all summer," said Falzone. "He also ran with some vengeance when he heard about what a paper wrote about him. He seems to be on mission to take this team as far as he can and do whatever he needs to be able to accomplish that goal."

With a short stint for his first team, Falzone viewed the situation with a double-edged sword concept.

"We wanted to get the first team some more work," he said. "But we didn't want to run up the score or risk someone getting hurt. It also gave us a great opportunity to have some of the younger kids already get some playing time.

"But it really was a good situation for us. It will give us some momentum heading into this week."

On deck for the Roughies is Southern Lehigh, which shut down Northern Lehigh, 49-0, in their opener. Southern Lehigh ignited the mercy rule when they had a 35-0 lead after three quarters.

Quarterback Travis Edmond threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns and the Spartans has a balanced attack with 201 yards rushing and 409 yards in total offense.

"It will be a great game," said Falzone of the early season showdown. "They (Southern Lehigh) are very much like us. They used to have a big line, but it isn't as big as it was in the past. But their line is very athletic.

"They also have some very good skill people who are very quick."

Falzone also described Edmond as the second best quarterback in the Colonial League behind his own signal caller.

"He (Edmond) passed all over Northern Lehigh," added Falzone. "He is very accurate and effective just like Zack (Bradley). They (Southern Lehigh) took advantage of some early turnovers Northern Lehigh made.

"It is going to be a close battle as they look like us."

Ironically, the Roughies shocked a playoff-bound Southern Lehigh team with a 49-8 rout in their meeting in Catty last September.

"We didn't expect them (Southern Lehigh) to win 49-0," said Falzone. "We expected Northern Lehigh to give them a good fight. They may come out and try to run a no-huddle on us, but we don't expect to see anything we haven't seen.

"It is a very close matchup and we'll see how things shake out for us. This is one in a couple of big weeks ahead for us."