Thinking back, Zack Bradley sees his junior year on the Catasauqua football team as it were yesterday.

It was then that Bradley started at quarterback and began to rewrite the Roughies and Colonial League record book as well as leading his team to one of the most prolific two-year runs in school history.

During that year, Bradley threw for over 2,100 yards and 31 touchdowns, the first step for more than 5,000 passing yards and 74 touchdowns in his career.

As he enters his junior year at Franklin and Marshall, Bradley is looking to become the team’s starter and create some of the magic he conjured at Catasauqua.

He recently completed the team’s spring camp and was one of five players who received the team’s “Iron Pip” award, given for excelling in the team’s weight training program.

Needless to say, Bradley is ready for the team’s August camp. He likely will be in competition with sophomore Tanner Erisman, who saw action in five games last season. Bradley played in four games and completed 21-of-35 passes for 175 yards with one interception. The Diplomats usually keep four or five quarterbacks in camp.

“I don’t think I have ever been this hard on myself,” Bradley stressed. “I really believe I can start this season. I really worked hard in the offseason. I had a great spring and (head coach John Troxell) said he felt comfortable giving the keys to me this fall.”

Bradley believed he would get a stronger look as a potential starter after his freshman year. He appeared in five games and tossed four touchdowns in his first start in a 35-33 victory over Juniata. Bradley finished the season completing 54 of 80 passes for 588 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Former senior Matt Magarity played in seven games for the Diplomats.

“I didn’t agree with not being the starter last season,” he said. “I thought that I had showed enough. But I went back to work and I knew I would have another shot.

“(Former Catty head coach Tom) Falzone and I always got along well. Coach (Troxell) and I respect each other and I didn’t agree with his decision. We have been developing a good bond between us.”

Bradley admits that overall speed and decision making have been the two biggest obstacles to overcome at the next level.

“It really is about making the choices in the offense,” said Bradley. “I had to react quicker to everything and know in an instant who was my first, second, and third choices on a running or passing play.

“At Catty, I knew everyone and where they were going. College football is so much different. It has been about split-second reactions and choices. It takes time.”

From now on, it is a matter of staying confident and ready for the starting call. He is hopeful for the same ripple effect it was when he got the nod at Catty.

“I’m really excited because I have worked so hard,” he said. “I had to work for everything I had in high school. Starting at Catty my junior year doesn’t seem like it was five years ago. I have a strong sense it will happen here.”