If Catasauqua ever needed a test of character, it likely will be this week against Palisades.

The Roughies will travel down Route 611 Friday for a key showdown with the Pirates, as both teams will look to either take a major step to aligning themselves with a possible district berth or beginning to think about playing out the string.

Catty (1-3) will enter Kintnersville riding a two-game losing streak, the latest defeat in a 55-0 drubbing at the hands of Saucon Valley. The Roughies never could get on track and they found themselves entrenched in a 40-0 hole at halftime. Catty once again fell victim to a strong running game, as Saucon Valley rolled up 351 yards rushing. It has been their glaring weakness defensively this season.

The game was preceded by a 34-14 loss to Pen Argyl, then their most lopsided loss of the season. Catty suffered a 10-game losing streak to end the season last year after an opening-game victory over Bangor.

“We came out flat and it hurt us,” said senior wide receiver Ryan Greene. “We had a good week of practice, but once the lights went on, we seemed to stop. But we haven’t given up and we’re coming out with a fresh start this week.”

Unfortunately, the Roughies once again will face a run-base team in the Pirates, who are led by junior tailback Jared Colletti, who entered last week’s game as the Colonial League’s leading rusher. Colletti was held in-check most of the night last week by Southern Lehigh, as he gained 65 yards and scored a touchdown. But he did have a good night catching the ball with eight receptions for 98 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Ethan Brader recently has been throwing the ball more for the Pirates, as he had 173 yards through the air with a touchdown.

Palisades (2-2) is coming off an emotional 21-14 loss to Southern Lehigh in which their potential game - tying drive ended at the Spartans’ eight-yard line with 23 seconds left.

Palisades outgained Southern Lehigh overall and limited quarterback Logan Edmond to 35 yard passing.

The previous week, the Pirates scored 17 unanswered points in a 34-27 comeback victory in which Colletti ran for 122 yards and scored three touchdowns as well as kicking two field goals.

Against Saucon Valley, Catasauqua quarterback Andrew Brett was slowed for the second consecutive week after a fast start. He was 7-of-14 for 35 yards with an interception.

Dylan Mitchell was the Roughies’ leading ground gainer with 41 yards, but the Roughies managed just 44 total yards rushing.

“I thought we grew up as a team,” said Palisades’ head coach Kevin Ronalds after his team’s loss to Southern Lehigh. “We did a lot of good things and it was a tough loss for us. But I think we are ready to take the next step.

“Catty always gives us a tough battle. They have a good quarterback who had a core of good receivers and they have some running backs who can be effective. It will be a big game for both teams at this point of the season.”