Heading into this season, Jacob Stopay wanted to improve his offensive game. He realized the Roughies had lost Alex Parker, Eric Matz, and his brother Zac as offensive weapons to graduation and knew his role would increase.

Over the past two seasons, Stopay has quietly been a constant behind some of the team's most notable playmakers.

So far, Stopay has established himself well. In Catty's recent 58-14 victory over Salisbury, Stopay returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown. Even though he didn't catch a pass against Salisbury, Stopay is the team's second leading receiver with 12 receptions for 210 yards and three touchdowns after four games.

"I knew I had to work on becoming a better receiver by working on my routes in the offseason," said Stopay. "We lost those guys and I need to pick up my game. I believe I have been performing well lately. (Quarterback) Zack (Bradley) and (receiver) Paryss (Marshall) have spent extra time after practice working on our routes and timing.

"We have a real good chemistry on this club."

Stopay noted how the enduring friendships among the seniors and some of the juniors have helped form a solid bond. The sense of team unity has also helped generate the mercy rule in their favor in 13 of their last 16 games.

"We have been playing together for roughly nine years," said Stopay. "Most of us have been together since we were eight and we know each other very well. We knew going into the season that we had a lot of guys back and we can feed off each other.

"The big wins aren't really surprising to us as it shows that our closeness and hard work really pays off."

Head coach Tom Falzone knows Stopay doesn't always attract all of the headlines, but he realizes his consistent effort and work ethic.

"He (Stopay) is the guy behind the scenes getting the work done," said Falzone. "People like to talk about Zack (Bradley), Ra'Von (Burton) and Paryss (Marshall), but he is right there with him. Jacob is a valuable guy on this team and we're going to rely on him more this season."

Stopay began playing football at the age of 8, two years after he first played baseball. He also wrestled for a bit during his younger days. He credits Mike Sziy, his youth football coach, for his development as a player.

"Coach Sziy taught me the game and helped mold me into the player I am today," said Stopay. "I still talk to him often and we still share a ot of things about the game."

Stopay would like to pursue a career in exercise science and plans to apply at both Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg, both colleges where he also would like to play football. Until then, Stopay wants to focus on playing Saucon Valley, the team's upcoming opponent and also has his eye on a date with Pen Argyl in two weeks in a rematch of last year's district final.

"We take it one game at a time," he said. "We know they beat us last year and we want to return the favor. Coach Falzone walks around with the silver medal in his pocket at practice every day. But that's not our main focus right now.

"We had a number of games last year when we were pulled out early due to the score and that has happened again this year. Sure, we all want to play four quarters, but we have to do what is best for the program right now."

With him continuing to emerge as a solid al-around player, Stopay is doing his fair share to help his club.