Sometimes, you run into the wrong team at the wrong time.

That was the case for Catasauqua when it ended their regular season at Northwestern last Friday night.

The Rough Riders rode into New Tripoli high on a three-game winning streak. The host Tigers had a 40-game, regular-season winning streak snapped in a 17-14 loss to Southern Lehigh, in a battle of unbeatens the previous week.

Northwestern was playing its final home game and hosted its senior night.

The result was a 49-12 Northwestern victory.

Catty senior quarterback Aiden Reilly scored on a three-year run that gave the Roughies a 6-0 lead, but Northwestern responded with 42 unanswered points that pushed them to a 42-6 halftime lead.

The loss left the Roughies with an overall 4-6 record, and they will travel to Schuylkill Haven Friday night for an opening-round District 11 playoff game.

Reilly, who finished the game with 85 yards passing, knew it would be an uphill battle against Northwestern.

“I saw the Northwestern game as a challenge for us,” said Reilly. “It was a really good challenge to see where we are, going into the postseason.

“Northwestern is just a really good football team and has a really good program going for them as they went to the state championship the last three years. For us, we just looked at it as an opportunity to get better and compete with one of the best teams in 3A.”

Catty head coach Joe Henrich had a similar outlook.

“What happened was we were playing the number one team in (Class) 3A,” said Henrich. “We came out swinging and fought hard, just didn’t have enough against a team like that.”

Freshman running back Solomon Mosby, who had a 56-yard rushing touchdown among his 58 yards rushing and 13 yards receiving against Northwestern, continues to be a rising star for the Roughies.

Mosby has excelled throughout the season, but he has continued to deal with the mental aspect of the game.

“This season has been a lot of ups and downs,” noted Mosby. “Sometimes, those things get in my head, but my teammates always pick me up and reassure me.”

Catty opened last year’s district playoffs also at Schuylkill Haven, and the Roughies suffered a 62-14 defeat to the then undefeated Hurricanes, who lost in the championship game to Williams Valley.

This season, the Hurricanes, who lost a number of players from last year’s squad, started slowly with a 0-3 record, but they won their last four and finished with a 6-4 mark. They ended their regular season with a 24-7 win over Marian.

Henrich knows this Schuylkill Haven team doesn’t have the same look as last year, but he expects them to be a force.

“They are not what they were last year, but they are still very good,” said Henrich. “They are big, tough football kids.”

Mosby has a positive outlook for his first postseason game.

“I’m feeling good and confident,” beamed Mosby. “Our team knows what we are capable of, and we are going to go out and try and win it. “

Reilly also has a good feeling heading north.

“As far as Schuylkill Haven, they are a good football team as well,” said Reilly. “I think it’s going to be a really good challenge and we look forward to it.”

ROUGHIE RITES: Reilly has completed 90 of 190 attempts for 855 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also has run for 338 yards with four touchdowns ... Against Northwestern, Jayden Buonanno ran for 43 yards, and Joziah Martinez had 32 yards. Defensively, Chase Kratchovil had seven tackles against Northwestern. Martinez has 554 yards with 11 touchdowns, and Mosby had 327 yards with a score. Omar Pacheco has 24 catches for 370 yards with three touchdowns for the season. Mosby has 22 catches for 173 yards. On the other side of the ball, Tua Wright has 57 tackles, Kratchovil has 49, and Jonell Rosado has 42 tackles for the season. Max Bergman has two interceptions. Martinez has four sacks and 27 tackles. Shane Bortz has 38 tackles and two sacks, and Mahwak Wright has 14 tackles and two sacks ... Schuylkill Haven is paced by running back Colton Reber, who has rushed for 2,100 yards and 27 touchdowns. Reber ran for 273 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns against Marian. Reber has 68 tackles and three sacks. Brayden Chappell has been a tackling machine with 148 stops.

PREDICTION (My season record 9-1): Like Northwestern, Catasauqua is facing Schuylkill Haven at the wrong time. The Hurricanes are peaking at the right time. Catty is faced with the simple task of stopping Reber, but he really hasn’t been slowed down. Defensively, Shappell has been the anchor. For the Roughies, they have to play ball control and have avoided costly turnovers. They have run for an average of 170 yards per game and allowed 152. It will be a cold, dark night in Schuylkill County, and I hope coach Snyder and his wife make it home safely. Next time we head to Sewards, I’ll owe him a hoagie and some fries ... SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 31-18.