Catasauqua senior tight end/linebacker Chris Wellington Jr. doesn’t necessarily see inexperience as a key factor to his team’s troubles this season.

The Rough Riders will enter their final regular season game with an overall 3-6 record when they host Palmerton (3-6) Friday night. Catty has lost five straight, the latest a 37-20 loss to Pen Argyl.

If the Roughies win Friday and Mahanoy Area loses, Catty likely will secure a District 11 Class 2A playoff bid.

“I don’t think it was an experience thing,” stressed Wellington. “I think it was a confidence thing. Every game in my eyes is a must-win, so yes, I do see it as a must-win. I like the direction the program is going. We’ve come a long way since week one, and I’m excited for what’s next for the team.”

Against Pen Argyl, Catty fell behind 22-6 at the half, and they further fell into a 37-6 hole in the fourth quarter. They did rally for two scores, both touchdown runs - 57 and 11 yards from Tray Dunn - to close the gap.

Head coach Joe Henrich has watched his club try, but they haven’t been able to close the gap in many games. With senior quarterback Aiden Reilly lost for the year with a wrist injury, freshman backup Gio Ojeda was unavailable for the game. The Roughies turned to running back Cadeo Estronza to run the offense.

“We had a good effort, but it obviously was not enough,” noted Henrich. “We couldn’t make plays at critical times, and we are still hampered by big plays on defense.

“Cadeo did a nice job considering the circumstances. He did everything we asked him to do with Gio sidelined.”

Henrich has been impressed with Dunn’s showing throughout the season.

“Tray has continued to get better and better. He has a nice combination of speed and power.”

Henrich would welcome a postseason berth, but he realizes a victory to break a five-game losing streak can carry more weight.

“We have a chance for the playoffs, win or lose,” said Henrich. “But obviously a win is what we want and what we really need.”

ROUGHIE RIDGES: Wellington Jr. leads the team with 51 tackles, and he has two sacks and one interception ... Dunn ran for 172 of the Roughies’ 229 yards. On the season, Dunn has 596 yards and seven touchdowns. Estronza completed five of 11 passes for 35 yards ... Manny Bolmer caught five passes for 35 yards. He has 35 catches for 308 yards with two touchdowns for the year ... Catty’s last win was 33-7 against Salisbury Sept. 12 ... Palmerton enters the game off a 56-0 shutout by Notre Dame, and the Blue Bombers have dropped three of their last five ... Catty has 1,887 total yards as a team, and they have allowed 3,061 ... Palmerton has won the last 11 meetings between the two clubs with Catty’s last win coming in 2013 by a 28-7 score ... Vincent Taglieri leads the Blue Bombers in rushing with 468 yards with four touchdowns, and he also leads them in receiving with 27 catches for 271 yards with a score. Quarterback TK Gursky has completed 47 of 78 for 500 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions ... Palmerton has been outscored 151-40 in the second halves this season, and they haven’t recorded a point in any of their third quarters.

PREDICTION (season record 3-6): This is a tough one. Like the sentimental favorite in the Roughies with their final game at home and a playoff bid hanging in the balance. Both teams have been reeling and can’t find themselves. Roughies will need a big game from Dunn and defuse the Bombers in the opening half. Whatever team gets the final eighth spot in the district playoffs will meet powerhouse Schuylkill Haven, which is the top-ranked Class 2A school in the state. It’s a heart vs. head thing here, and I’ll lean slightly toward the Roughies to salvage something before the regular season ends. Coach Snyder and I have to take a ride soon to Jimmy’s Hot Dogs in Easton ... ROUGHIES, 21-19.