As he gets his second season as head football coach at Catasauqua underway, Joe Henrich already has plenty of positive impressions.

“We have had a productive offseason thus far,” said Henrich recently. “We have made great gains in the weight room, adding size and strength.”

Henrich stated the Rough Riders will have joint practices with Allentown Central Catholic, Marian, and Dieruff this summer and a tentative seven-on-seven session with Bangor.

Catty began last season with a 3-0 record with victories over Mahanoy Area, Wilson, and Palisades, producing 93 points in the process.

However, a 42-35 loss to Salisbury began a season-ending, eight-game losing streak that ended in a 58-14 defeat to Northampton on Thanksgiving Day. After scoring 93 points in their first three games, the Roughies produced 103 points over their final eight games.

During the same stretch, Catty allowed 333 points, as opposed to 62 in their first three games.

Quarterback, junior Aiden Reilly, running back/wide receiver senior, Manny Bolmer, and running back, senior Cadeo Estronza, are the returning core for the offense his fall.

Reilly completed 88 of 158 passes for 1,306 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in a limited role due to injuries. Bolmer caught 35 passes for 709 yards with eight touchdowns, and Estronza rushed for 282 yards on 46 carries.

Along with Bolmer, other expected targets are senior Josiah Lafond, and juniors Tyler Limandri and Omar Pacheco.

Senior Chris Wellington, who saw time at tight end, was the team’s leading tackler from his linebacker spot with 74 stops. Bolmer had 48 tackles.

The Roughies will have a scrimmage with Pleasant Valley on Aug. 16, and then begin the regular season at Mahanoy Area Aug. 22.

Despite his optimism, Henrich will wait to see how the next few weeks develop before the start of August practice.

“Right now, it is hard to single out guys,” stressed Henrich. “I think as a whole, we have made tremendous growth. As we begin doing more outside this summer, I think we will see guys start to rise to the top.”