For the Catasauqua, it was simply a win. And that was enough.

In the season opener for both teams, it was a grind-it-out standoff between Catasauqua and Wilson that easily could have been won by either team.

Senior running back Ruben Concepcion scored from two yards out and senior quarterback Aiden Reilly booted the extra point early in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference in a 7-6 victory.

Wilson took a 6-0 lead in the second quarter, but the Warriors missed the extra point.

Head coach Joe Henrich was happy that his club came out on top.

“It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a gritty win,” reflected Henrich. “I was proud of the guys they battled through. I didn’t make a very good coaching choice in the first half by picking up the pace with two minutes left down in our own end zone and it ended up costing us.

“I was proud of the kids to push through that they were really encouraging of each other and just kept on fighting. A lot of guys were going down with cramps, but we had more guys coming in the game. Everybody was just stepping up and doing their part and we rallied and were able to punch one in and get the extra point.”

Reilly echoed Henrich’s thoughts.

“Yes, it was definitely not an easy win at all,” stressed Reilly. “I’ll be honest, last week we didn’t have good enough practices and it showed Friday night. It’s a huge win, but it was not our best football. We know as a team we are better than what we showed. However, a win is a win, and we are 1-0. That is all that matters.”

Reilly didn’t have any doubts booting the extra point.

“As far as kicking goes, I’ve kicked my entire life,” added Reilly. “It started when I was probably in third grade. I kind of grew out of it once I hit high school. However last year, I started kicking in some games with extra points and the same will go for this year as well.

The Roughies will host Mahanoy Area Friday, which dropped a 35-24 decision to Panther Valley in its opener.

Henrich expects another tight tussle.

“They are young, but aggressive,” noted Henrich of his opponent. “They got some physical guys. They are not overly complicated with what they do, but they do it pretty well.”

ROUGHIE RITES: Catty won last year’s battle with a 28-0 shutout. The Roughies have won all previous five-straight consecutive meetings dating back to 2021 ... Mahanoy finished 2-8 last season, and scored just 98 points and allowed 361 ... Concepcion ran for 72 yards on 12 carries, and Reilly had 45 yards on six carries. Junior Joziah Martinez added 29 yards on nine carries, and freshman Solomon Mosby had 24 yards on six carries ... The Roughies had 142 yards rushing, and 249 yards of total offense ... Reilly completed 10 of 24 passes for 77 yards, and senior wide receiver Omar Pacheco caught four balls for 25 yards. Martinez caught three passes for 19 yards ... Martinez led all Catty tacklers with six stops and senior Shane Bortz also had six tackles ... Catty’s defense allowed 158 yards rushing ... Against Panther Valley, Mahanoy Area’s Quinton Rucker carried six times for 130 yards, and Will Stoyer added nine carries for 106 yards. The Golden Bears accumulated 282 yards rushing and 310 total yards. Quarterback J.D. Kowalchik was 2-for-7 for 46 yards. The Golden Bears’ defense allowed 310 yards rushing against Panther Valley, and they were hit for 405 total yards.

PREDICTION (Season record 1-0): The Roughies have another winnable game, and their first three games are favorable for them ... Catty started last season with a 3-0 record ... The Roughies have to get their offense in gear, and Concepcion could have a big game on the ground. The Roughies will need to have a heavy dose of their running game ... On the other hand, they need to stop the run ... This will be a game of what team can avoid the least turnovers ... Catty has some early mojo going, and they need to take advantage of it ... Boys’ head basketball coach Eric Snyder can pick me up a cheesesteak from the Catty Corner, ketchup and no sauce … ROUGHIES, 21-18.