Catasauqua head football coach Travis Brett had a feeling that it was going to be a bad week.

“It was a chaotic week of practice,” said Brett. “We had injuries and we had a couple of players with suspensions.

“It just wasn’t a fluid week of practice.”

Brett hunches were right.

The Rough Riders (4-1) suffered their first defeat of the season, 42-8 at Palmerton (4-1) last Friday.

Palmerton sophomore quarterback Matt Machalik continued his offensive assault this season, as he accounted for 302 total yards of offense. He rushed for 14 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown, and also threw for 184 yards and a pair of scores.

“Palmerton is a good team, and they were tough to stop once they got going,” added Brett. “Machalik is a very good player, and he is only a sophomore.”

Roughies freshman quarterback Aidan Hess got the nod with junior starter Christian Fye serving a suspension. Hess completed three of nine passes for 54 yards with an interception, and Fye saw some time in the second half.

“Hess struggled out there,” stated Brett. “Fye came in the second half. But we just couldn’t get things going.”

Junior Anthonie Hunsicker rushed for 90 yards and scored their lone touchdown. He also caught three passes for 20 yards. Junior Wyatt Younes had four catches for 47 yards.

“Younes had done a great job for us all season,” said Brett. “We have to get the ball into his hands more often.”

The Roughies will look to get back to their winning ways when they host Mahanoy Area (1-4) at Whitehall Friday night.

“Mahanoy is big up front,” said Brett. “Their skill people have some speed. But I think we match up well with them.

“Sometimes, losing isn’t all that bad. I think we’ll have a good week of practice, and our kids will bounce back.”

PREDICTION: Mahanoy picked up their first win last week when they beat Minersville, 20-13. In four previous games, they were outscored 84-27. But the Bears may have found life with their upset of Minersville.

The Roughies have had their way with the Schuylkill League teams in their bracket. If they have bounced back mentally, they shouldn’t have too many issues. Running back Hunter Reitz is lost for the season with a torn ACL and meniscus. Other than Reitz, the Roughies are healthy.

Catty is third in the District 11 Class 2A bracket and on the heels of Northern Lehigh and Palmerton. They will have some challenges ahead with Minersville, Schuylkill Haven and Northwestern sandwiched around their projected opener at their revamped field against Pine Grove Oct. 15. Until then, Eric Snyder can owe me a couple of Toby’s Hot Dogs. ROUGHIES, 35-14.