Four years ago, Catasauqua head football coach Mike McClarin adopted a 10-year-old rescue dog and named him “Toto.”

Recently, McClarin lost Toto and realized how he touched his life in a special way. As a result, McClarin decided to give back to animals at the Lehigh Valley Humane Society.

The coach organized his players and the school community in the “Roughs for Pups” program, in which food, toys, crates and other items were collected as donations.

“I had four special years with Toto and he was my best friend,” said McClarin. “We organized the program to help all the animals at the Humane Society.

“The kids and the community liked it. The Human Society was very thankful for what we did. In memory of Toto, we wanted to help as much as we could.”

McClarin began the drive a few weeks ago and collected approximately 125 pounds or more of dog, and some cat, food, as well as other items from the school community. He also received a check for $93 from the Catasauqua teachers.

“It was a lot of stuff,” he added. “I had six players help me with it. Catasauqua community has big hearts and it went to a great cause.”

In addition to the charitable effort, McClarin has been pleased with the team’s offseason training program. He stated roughly 25 players, including seventh and eighth-graders, have been consistently working.

It was a monumental increase from the four players from a year ago.

“Most of these guys are in other sports, but they have made a commitment,” he said. “We have been really pleased with what we have seen so far. There is a good attitude and work ethic.”

McClarin indicated the team again will play the triple-option scheme, the offense he employed during his first year last season. The Roughies finished with an overall 1-10 mark last year.

“Our offense fits our personnel,” he said. “We’re looking forward to getting our spring ball program going at the end of the spring sports season. It has been a positive experience and our kids are plugging away.”