Entering his junior year at Franklin and Marshal, Zack Bradley had mixed feelings of anxiety and doubt.

The former Catasauqua standout, who rewrote the school’s passing records in 2012 and 2013, believed he had a solid chance at being the starting quarterback for the Diplomats after seeing sporadic action at the position his first two years.

However, it wasn’t until the fourth game of the season when Bradley took over at the helm.

Since then, he has continued to develop his overall game. Bradley has completed 102 of 170 passes for 1,112 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions for the Diplomats, who have an overall 7-3 record entering the season finale Saturday at Albright. Over his first two years, Bradley completed 75 of 115 attempts for 763 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.

Bradley and F & M would fall to Albright 28-23. Bradley was 5 of 5 for 68 yards in the game.

“I worked my tail off during the offseason and it has really paid off for me,” said Bradley. “I thought I had a good shot at the beginning of the season, but it didn’t work out.”

“It is a lot different from high school and I feel much more comfortable than I was. We have a different offense now compared to a lot of running and gunning at Catty, where I could just throw it up to (former high school teammate) to Paryss Marshall when I had to.

“We have a more running-based offense and we also rely on our great defense. It has worked in my favor. Over the last two games, I was splitting time with the other quarterback (Tanner Erisman) because we had a running back and a fullback hurt. He (Erisman) is in there as another runner. I never was much of a runner.

“But I told the coaches that I thought it was a good idea and I was fine with it.”

In fact, it was Erisman who was 14 of 20 for 185 yards in the team’s final game. Erisman also added 19 rushing attempts for 94 yards and two TDs.

Yet, Bradley has been ready when he got the call.

“I was more than ready,” he said. “During my first two years, I spent a lot of time learning the offense. I just see things a lot differently than I did in the past. I really feel good about everything at this point.”

His first two years proved to increase his already heightened sense of drive and determination.

“Coming in freshman year, I was one of six quarterbacks in camp,” recalled Bradley. “I got a start and made a little noise. But then I got pulled for throwing an interception. I saw some time my sophomore year, but at the end, I knew I had to do something. I wasn’t happy.

“So I re-evaluated myself and I worked my tail off. That’s how I am. If I go out and give everything I got, I will be happy with whatever the outcome. But I got the Most Improved Player in the spring and through camp. I knew I did what I could and it has worked out.”

Bradley will never forget his roots. He came back home to watch his younger sister, Kenzie, play in the annual Powder Puff game and also watch his father, Steve, coach the Catty team. He was in the stands for the annual Thanksgiving Day games, a lasting memory in his mind.

“It was weird at first watching from the sidelines,” said Bradley. “It always is a special thing. I have had friends from college with me at the game and they know there isn’t anything like this. It’s great to put on the Brown and White varsity jacket again.”