On paper, Catasauqua’s opening -round district game at Schuylkill Haven looked like a mismatch.

The Rough Riders entered the game with a 3-7 overall record, snapping a five-game losing streak with a 26-7 victory over Palmerton, while Schuylkill Haven was ranked the top state team in the Class 2A bracket with an unblemished 10-0 record and averaged 45 points per contest.

Unfortunately for the Rough Riders, the script didn’t change.

Schuylkill Haven stormed out to a 42-0 halftime lead, and the Hurricanes ruffled the Roughies, 62-14. Catty was last in the district playoffs in 2023, and they dropped a 34-20 decision to Williams Valley.

The Hurricanes rolled up 615 yards of total offense, 485 yards on the ground behind Colton Reber’s 307-yard, six-touchdown (five rushing) performance.

Catty head coach Joe Henrich was proud of his players’ effort, citing converted senior quarterback Cadeo Estronza from his running back position for the second straight game.

“It was a huge challenge, but our kids didn’t back down and went out and played hard,” he said. “They (Schuylkill Haven) are big, strong, and athletic, and they have played together in the same system for years.

“Cadeo competed and gave them his best shot.”

Estronza, who ran for a team-high 92 yards and threw for 42, wasn’t bothered by Schuylkill Haven’s size advantage. Tray Dunn added 66 yards for the Roughies.

“The size wasn’t much of a bother, it’s a part of the sport,” said Estronza. “We knew from watching film how big these kids were going to be, and we just had to go out there and give it our best.

“I’m proud of our team for not backing down. We showed up ready and we were moving the ball pretty comfortable the first couple drives. We had things going big plays going exploiting their defense.

“This definitely was the best team we’ve seen in a while. They are ranked number-one for a reason.”

Tight end/linebacker senior Chris Wellington Jr. saw somewhat of a similar picture.

“I think their synergy was ultimately our downfall,” stressed Wellington Jr. “I think with the adversity, we didn’t play badly. We competed to the final whistle.

“This was definitely the best team we played this year.”

The Roughies will end the season when they host Northampton on Thanksgiving morning Nov. 27, and it will be the 100th meeting in the annual tilt.