Over the past few weeks, Catasauqua head football coach Tom Falzone always firmly believed his club would once again meet Pen Argyl this season.

Falzone will see his premonition come true when the Roughies will tangle with their nemesis from the north in the opening round of the PIAA District 11 Class 2A playoffs at Alumni Field.

Earlier this season, Catty gained its revenge over the Green Knights when they defeated them 29-14 on Oct. 11. The victory gained the Roughies some solace from Pen Argyl ending their storybook run in the district championship game last season.

But Falzone somehow knew they would meet again, preferably in the postseason.

Since they lost to the Roughies, Pen Argyl finished its regular season with three consecutive wins ending with a 28-20 triumph over arch-rival Bangor last week.

With Catty's stunning loss to Northwestern last week, coupled with Palisades' loss to Saucon Valley, Pen Argyl leapfrogged to the number-three spot in the district playoffs and dropped Palisades to fourth, the one previously held by the Green Knights.

Northwestern had been on the heels of Pen Argyl for the fourth spot, but they did receive an Eastern Conference bid.

Due to that seismic shift that rocked several communities, Catasauqua, the number-two seed who appeared to be set with a rematch with Palisades, was sent an invitation to meet Pen Argyl. Pine Grove – the top seed and lone undefeated team – will host Palisades in the other matchup.

On the immediate surface, the timing doesn't appear to favor the Roughies, who have both offensive standouts Ra'Von Burton and Paryss Marshall dealing with injury woes.

Burton returned the lineup after an appendicitis, but he banged up a knee against Northwestern. Marshall recently suffered a high ankle sprain, but he has been muddling along the way. Both didn't practice until Thursday and are expected to play.

On the other hand, Pen Argyl has regrouped after some early season injuries. Running back Michael DePaolo appears to be back in form as he has consistently been above the 100-yard mark in recent games, including a 127-yard effort against Bangor.

With a whirlwind of fate encircling his club after a steady breeze of fortune all season, Falzone has cherished every day leading to Friday's showdown.

Against Northwestern, Catty had season-lows in points scored (27) and total offense (260 yards).

"It was a long weekend," said Falzone in reference to the overtime loss to Northwestern. "We are happy to have a couple of days off. We knew Northwestern would be fighting to stay alive for the playoffs.

"We initially struggled offensively against them (Northwestern) until we got it going. We also had trouble stopping their backs and on third down overall. They wanted to pound the ball on us and they did.

"What happened to us against Northwestern reminded us a lot of the loss to Pen Argyl in the district championship last year."

Falzone also noted that the availability of both Burton and Marshall could be game-time decisions.

Burton has amassed over 1,200 yards rushing with 15 touchdowns and Marshall has 48 catches for over 900 yards with 12 touchdowns heading into the postseason. Both have formed an effective trio with quarterback Zack Bradley, who has thrown for more than 1,700 yards with 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. Center Rhaine Sziy has also been troubled by a bad ankle, but he is expected to play against the Green Knights in the third meeting over the past year between the two clubs.

"I thought we would eventually have them (Pen Argyl)," stated Falzone. "We don't expect them to do anything different, but they are healthy and have some momentum. This year, they have run more of a spread offense, but we'll be ready for their single-wing (offense).

"DePaolo will present a challenge for us because he is another big back and they will likely look to pound us. That's the blueprint we have seen from teams all year. We need to go out and get some turnovers and set the tone. But we can't let them get out on us and expect to come back. It happened to us last year and it cost us. We can't let them out of our grasp."

Falzone hasn't let his team lose site of the fact that they are co-Colonial League champions with Southern Lehigh, and the postseason brings a new aura of confidence and hope.

"We're still Colonial League champs and the kids have to realize that," said Falzone. "We had our longest film session of the year and we have some packages no team has seen as well as some new ones.

"This is a new season for us and we're anxious to get back at them (Pen Argyl)."