Palmerton improves to 8-0 for first time since 1951.
PALMERTON- The Palmerton Blue Bombers football team doulbled up the visitors of North Schuylkill Spartans Friady night in a key Colonial/Schuylkill League Red division contest by the score of 48-24.
The Blue Bombers scored on their opening possession as quarterback Matt Machalik capped off an impressive drive by going in from six yards out and a 8-0 lead after the two-point conversion was good with 7:47 left in the quarter.
North Schuylkill was forced to punt on their first drive of the game and Palmerton would take advantage as Machalik would find the end zone once again on a 29 yard run as he weaved and dodged his way past would-be tacklers near the goal line. Palmerton would go for two and convert making the score 16-0 at the 2:41 mark of the opening quarter..
The Spartans trailing by two scores moved quickly downfield the next time they got the ball and a 14 yard touchdown pass from Caden Mengel pass to Collin McGee cut the deficit to 16-7 with still a 11:47 left on the clock.
Joey Flail was on a receiving end of a 78 yard pass from Mengel after the Spartans defense held the Bombers for the only time in the half and made the score 16-14 with 8:53 left in the half.
With 8::03 still remaining in the second quarter, Palmerton went to their bag of tricks for the first time as well-designed flea-flicker pass from Machalik to Emillio Gonzalez covered 51 yards and gave the home team a 24-14 lead.
Palmerton would take a 32-17 lead at intermission as they would pull another trick play out of the playbook this time a halfback option pass from Ty Sander to Braydon Hosier with 1:28 to play in the half.
North Schuylkill received the ball to start the second half and using their no-huddle offense again moved into Blue Bomber territory and a 34 yard pass from Mengel to Joey Flail cut the lead to 32-24 with nine minutes left in the quarter.
The Spartans attempted an onside kick and after a mad scramble for the ball, Palmerton was awarded possession. near the Bombers 40 yard line. After a penalty pushed the ball back, Machalik went to work, gouging the defense for a spectacular 66 yard score to make it 40-24 at the 8:13 mark still in the third quarter.
North Schuylkill drove deep into Palmerton Territory late in the quarter, but an interception would end the drive at the Bomber five.
Then Machalik and company went on a 95 yard drive that culmninated in a 25 yard scoring pass from Machalik to Ty Sander with 10:47 left in the game and a 48-24 lead..
There was no further scoring and that is how the game ended. Machalik ended up with 270 yards rushing in the contest on 17 carries and three touchdowns, he also threw for 160 yards on 11 of 18 passing two touchdowns and 1 interception.
"These kids play for each other, I loved our physicality tonight.: Coach Chris Walkowiak stated.. "We had a great week of practice. Our focus was really good. The way these kids play for each other is awesome." He concluded.
Palmerton (8-0) will be at home next week against Tamaqua (4-4) The Blue Raiders have won four straight games including a 23-13 win over Northern Lehigh Thursday night. North Schuylkill (6-2) will also be at home next week against Salisbury (0-8) who were shutout by Pine Grove 31-0 Friday night.
Photo by Brian Ptashinski