Over the past five seasons, Catasauqua’s football program has struggled.

The Roughs have won five games during the span due to often playing against larger schools with bigger rosters and their own development.

Now, the Roughies will face the majority of their future opponents on a more level field.

The Colonial and Schuylkill leagues recently announced a 28-team football merger that will take effect in the 2020 season.

The Roughies will be in the White Division of the four division league with Class 3A Pine Grove and 2A schools Schuylkill Haven, Mahanoy Area, Palmerton and Minersville. They will face divisional opponents during weeks five through nine.

During the past season, Catty faced five Class 3A opponents, three Class 4A, and one Class 5A. Palmerton was the lone 2A opponent.

“We have many schools on our schedule that are much bigger than us,” said athletic director Tom Moll. “The smaller schools have a harder time. This will help make us more competitive, and we also have to do our part to develop our program.”

The Roughies will travel north in 2020 with road games scheduled for Mahanoy Area, Marian Catholic, Pine Grove and Schuylkill Haven. They will face only one Class 4A team rather than the four or five 4A or 5A schools that typically fill their schedule.

“I don’t think the travel is that big of a deal,” added Moll. “Going to Panther Valley isn’t that much more time than going to Palisades.

“It’s exciting for everyone. Most people hate change, but this should be beneficial for everyone.”

Head football coach Mike McClarin also welcomed the transition.

“I am definitely excited about playing small schools like us,” he said. “Some of the schools we face keep getting bigger and Catty likely won’t grow as big as they will.

“When we played Notre Dame this past year, they had 77 kids. This move will level it for everyone. When I was at Dieruff, we would travel to the Pocono schools and it wasn’t as bad as everyone thought.

“The travel won’t bother us.”

Moll noted the merger committee and the schools will be looking at possibly having JV and freshman games on Saturday to avoid travel during the week. He also stated that all sports could eventually be included into the merger.