Catasauqua's football team will travel to Slatington Friday for an evening battle with Northern Lehigh with the first of their three season goals in mind.

If the Roughies remain undefeated and register their ninth win of the season, they will gain a share of the Colonial League title and 13th title overall in school history. Southern Lehigh and Palisades, who both have identical 7-1 records, will meet with the loser being out of contention for the CL crown.

However, the Roughies' spirits were recently dampened by a series of injuries.

Three days before their previous win over Palmerton, Catty lost the services of leading team and area rusher Ra'Von Burton, who underwent appendectomy surgery Tuesday. Head coach Tom Falzone stated Monday that Burton could possibly return for the team's final home game and senior night tilt with Northwestern next Friday, but he is more likely to return in the postseason.

Catty also received some disturbing news when it discovered two-way starter lineman Brandon Purrone will be lost for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Purrone, who also is regarded as one of the top point guards in the league, will also miss the basketball season.

"I just feel sick about the situation and feel terrible for him," said Falzone about Purrone, who is also a baseball player. "He took it really hard. But he will stay involved with the program and help us out. We'll see if he will have surgery now or wait.

"As for Ra'Von, he wants to get back out there now. But, we have to be cautious. A person who isn't playing sports normally takes four to six weeks to recover. We'll take it step-by-step with him."

Falzone said seniors Jared Stephen and Rey Paulino, who recently recovered from a bout with the flu, could both see playing time as Purrone's replacement. Devin Flores, who gained 122 yards in his replacement role for Burton against Palmerton, will be back in the backfield against Northern Lehigh.

Senior starter receiver Jacob Stopay, who has been sidelined for the past few games with a knee injury, is expected to see some playing time this weekend.

"(Stopay) got some reps in practice and he should be ready to go," added Falzone. "It is good to get him back in the lineup. But we get a little thin on our line and linebacker with Burton and Purrone out. We haven't been hit with injuries all year and know we have some bumps.

"But we have been fortunate to get guys playing time in the second halves of our games and it has been working out in our favor."

Friday battle with Northern Lehigh, however, won't have its usual intensity, smash-mouth flavor.

The Bulldogs are in the midst of a rebuilding year with a 1-6 overall record and a three-game losing streak coming into the contest in which they have been outscored 109-20 during the span.

"It is certainly not the same type of team that we are used to seeing," said Falzone of his opponent, who has provided some epic battles in the past. "They are a young team that doesn't have the big back (Caleb Johnson) they had last season.

"But they (Northern Lehigh) have some big people up front and some good linebackers. We have watched enough film on them and they have been improving. Their secondary can be suspect. But we can't take anything for granted and we still have to come out and play."

Senior quarterback Zack Bradley recognizes his team's recent plight, but he isn't concerned. He welcomes the return of Stopay back in the lineup as Paryss Marshall has seen his share of double- and triple-team coverages.

Through eight games, Bradley has thrown for more than 1,300 yards with 21 touchdowns and Marshall has been his main target with 34 catches for more than 600 yards with 12 touchdowns.

"With some guys out, there is some more added pressure on us," said Bradley. "Ra'Von (Burton) and I have been relying on each other all season. But Devin (Flores) has been doing an amazing job back there. We have to have everyone step up right now and we're confident we can do it.

"Paryss (Marshall) and I have worked together for a while and we know each other well. I know he is getting frustrated with the coverages, but we are moving him around as much as we can. Having (Stopay) will help.

"We know we have to keep our focus and not have any lulls no matter who we are playing."

Falzone has kept a distant eye on the upcoming district Class 2A playoff in which the Roughies are the current top seed ahead of Pine Grove.

In the meantime, he is worrying about capturing the first team goal.

"If we can take care of business Friday, we know we already have a share of a medal," noted Falzone. "We know where we are with districts and will likely get a home playoff game if everything works our way in the next two weeks.

"But we have to deal with some adversity now. We have to keep working through it and do whatever we have to do to achieve our goals of a league, district title, and beating Northampton (on Thanksgiving Day)."