It’s an early season Colonial/Schuylkill White Division showdown and the renewal of a budding rivalry.

Catasauqua (2-0) will host Palisades (2-0) in a battle of unbeaten teams at Alumni Field. The Rough Riders are coming off a 34-7 drubbing of Wilson, while the Pirates dominated Saucon Valley in 17-0 shutout.

Catty moved out to a 20-0 halftime lead, and they went to limit winless Wilson (0-2) to 113 total yards.

Roughies’ head coach Joe Henrich was impressed with his team’s 336-yard effort, but he was also moved with his defense.

“I think we have a number of returning starters, some talented skill guys and a physical O-line,” beamed Henrich. “Our defense has been outstanding. They are flying around the ball and creating turnovers.”

As far as a rivalry brewing, Palisades edged Catasauqua, 20-17, with a last-second field goal during a regular season, October game, and the Roughies returned the favor with a field goal in a 17-14 victory during a district playoff game, both during 2022.

Two years earlier in 2020, Palisades blew out Catty, 36-0, in a district playoff game.

Last year, Catty nipped Palisades, 22-14, in a hard-fought, physical game.

Roughies’ junior quarterback Aiden Reilly expects another tough tussle with Palisades.

“I honestly think it’s a mini-rivalry for us,” offered Reilly. “It’s always been one of our most competitive and toughest challenges through the years.

“Props to them because they are a very good team with a lot of talent just like us.”

Catty senior wide receiver Manny Bolmer, who caught a touchdown pass and a threw a halfback option TD pass last week against Wilson, sees his offense and team chemistry shifting into high gear.

“I believe our offense is having a really great run at this point,” exclaimed Bolmer. “I believe personally we do have a great amount of confidence, but we are not cocky about it. We are playing as a team.”

Bolmer also expects another physical battle Friday night.

“I do see Palisades as a battle of the unbeaten,” added Bolmer. “Both teams will put up a great fight.”

ROUGHIE RITES: Bolmer had 88 yards rushing, 57 yards receiving, and an interception against Wilson. Bolmer is the team’s leading rusher with 136 yards and had a team-high seven receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Omar Pacheco has five catches for 153 yards with a touchdown ... Reilly completed seven of 13 passes for 121 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions ... Catty running back Tray Dunn has rushed for 120 yards in two games ... Palisades quarterback Jack Trickel has completed 25 of 42 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown, and running back Max Goerner as rushed for 208 yards with two touchdowns. Receiver Lincoln Cook has 12 catches for 100 yards with a score ... Palisades has allowed just 15 points in two games ... Defensively, Chris Wellington had seven tackles with a sack and Cadeo Estronza had six stops against Wilson. Wellington and Dunn led the team in tackles with 14 apiece ... Catty travels to Salisbury next week ... Roughies began the 2024 season with a 3-0 record.

PREDICTION (Season Record 2-0): This will be a game as advertised. It also will be the Roughies’ first real test of the year. Palisades has been stingy and aggressive defensively, and their shutout over Saucon Valley was a surprise ... Being at home will definitely help Catty. Reilly will have to be on his game, and the Roughies will need a balanced attack against a Palisades’ defense that limited Saucon Valley to 129 yards of total offense ... This can be a signature game for the Roughies, or else it could have a rippling effect in the other direction ... Like what Catty has done so far, and coach Eric Snyder can pick me up a cheesesteak from Catty Corner and keep it in his freezer for me ... ROUGHIES, 20-16.