Over the first five years at the helm of the Catasauqua football program, head coach Tom Falzone has had more than his share of memories.

Fresh off this past fall's record-setting year, Falzone recalled how three ballboys eventually figured to be prominent players in the Roughies' recent magical run.

Zack Bradley, Ra'Von Burton, and Derrick Bond were ballboys on Falzone's first squad and among the nine seniors would later prominently play roles throughout the season.

"We coaches were watching some old film and we saw them standing in the background," said Falzone. "It's ironic now they had just left the program. But we all knew that class would be a special one for us."

It was the current Roughies' senior class that had an integral part in their senior that accumulated a wealth of accolades during arguably the program's best season.

For the record, Bradley threw for 3,048 yards – the third most in Colonial League history – and 43 touchdowns, both of which were school records. Burton rushed for 1,484 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in a season shortened by a knee injury. Bond was a viable receiving outlet for Bradley as well as playing a key role on defense.

As a team, Catty gained 5,568 total yards, an average of 371 yards per game and 40.5 points. Defensively, they allowed 268 yards per contest and 19.1 points. Those numbers were partially inflated due to their 49-0 loss to Imhotep Charter in their finale in which they allowed 436 total yards. The Roughies recorded a school-record 13 wins (13-2 overall) and scored a league record 608 points and also achieved their team goals of winning a league crown, district title, and defeating Northampton in their annual Thanksgiving Day game. It was the Roughies' fifth district title.

"It was a great ride and I'm extremely proud of what we accomplished," said Falzone. "It wasn't just the kids, but the coaches, too. I have an outstanding staff. This was a season for the school, but it was also for the community as well."

Falzone stated the year began back In January when the seniors helped set the pace for the remainder of the team in the weight room along with off-season workouts. From there, Falzone had a good sense of what could possibly be accomplished during a busy and productive summer in which they participated in several camps.

The Roughies, whose season ended in a district championship game loss to Pen Argyl the previous season, hit the new season running when they routed Wilson, 40-7, and then blasted Southern Lehigh, 62-35, in a game many believed would be the true measuring stick for the team.

"When we beat Southern Lehigh, we knew we could go far," said senior Jacob Stopay. "It was the way we beat them. We dominated the game and that gave us the confidence we needed at that point of the season."

"We enjoyed the last two seasons and knew this year would be special," added Bradley. "We will go out as brothers and we left our mark on this program."

Falzone also saw the early signs as a sample of what was to come down the road.

"We knew Southern Lehigh had a strong team and that was a big test for us," he said. "But after that, we really got rolling. We were taking control of games early and were able to play some of our younger players.

"But they had motivation all throughout the offseason. I kept carrying around the second-place district medal and kept showing it to them. They probably got sick of seeing it after a while."

However, the Roughies won't get tired of seeing the district medal. With just two starters back, it will likely be a rebuilding year for Catty next season, but they will have plenty of motivation.

Yet, Falzone and his players and staff still will cherish the moment.

"When I first took over, my goal was to bring back the glory days of Catty football," said Falzone. "Every year, we accomplished a little bit more. We finally beat Northampton in my third year and we won the league the following year.

"But every sport goes through it cycles. It will be tough to maintain, but we'll just have to keep working with new people in place. The pressure will be off us and already there is talk about us being at the bottom of the league next year.

"It will be very difficult for any group to duplicate what this team did. They hit all the right notes at the right time. Now, we're calling out to all of the younger players to start stepping up their game."

Four years from now, Falzone could discover how a new group of ballboys developed into catalysts for a championship team.