Consistency will be a huge building block for head coach Mike McClarin’s program at Catasauqua.

The Roughies and their first-year head coach had an opportunity to gain some respectability and consolidation with a win at Salisbury last weekend, as the Falcons were in a similar predicament with a n identical 1-4 record.

But the Roughies (1-5) couldn’t get their offense in gear and had trouble keeping Salisbury’s in check in a 35-7 defeat.

“We just came out flat,” said McClarin, whose club was coming off a 37-34 overtime win over Wilson. “We just lacked the energy.

“We had a really good week of practice, and we thought it would translate to the game.”

Salisbury (2-4) took control early as they began to establish their ground game and dominance up front, registering 133 rushing yards in the first two quarters. The Falcons outgained the Roughies, 250-19, in total yard during the first half in which they took a 35-0 advantage.

The Roughies managed a score late in the game, but they managed just 178 total yards and eight first downs.

Wilquon Clemons rushed for 54 yards on 13 carries and quarterback Andrew Martinez topped him with 55 yards on 13 carries in their ever-evolving triple-option. However, Martinez didn’t have any passing yards.

Overall, Salisbury netted 435 total yards, 296 of them on the ground.

For the year, the Roughies have allowed an average of 308 rushing yards per game, and they have been hit for 41 points per game from the opposition.

“We just have to keep getting better,” stressed McClarin. “Salisbury has some really good athletes. We only had three offensive plays in the first half.

“We have come a long way from where we were, and we are coming together better defensively lately. We have to be able to stop people on first down and run to the ball better.”

The Roughies will return to Alumni Field Friday night to host Palmerton (1-5), which like Salisbury, has one win to meet them. The Blue Bombers are coming off a 49-0 shutout from Northwestern and they were thumped by Pen Argyl, 62-30, the previous week.

“They (Palmerton) are a tough team with some good athletes,” added McClarin. “Offensively, they can be explosive and can put up points.

“We just have to learn how to prepare better and learn how to practice better with more intensity. We have to coach them to get better in all fields.”

PREDICTION: The Roughies could have taken a major step in their rebuilding process by either staying close or beating Salisbury last week. They are in a similar position this week with Palmerton, which isn’t as bad as their record.

Catty may have taken a step back with the lack of offensive production and their lack of intensity to stop Salisbury’s ground game. Palmerton has the same look and they can also move the ball through the air. The Blue Bombers rumble down from Blue Mountain … Palmerton, 35-10.