The Palmerton Bombers and the Lehighton Indians continue their long-standing rivalry each season. There was certainly no difference going into the first Friday night football game of the season. After two years of Palmerton hosting the matchup, Lehighton was proud to play on their turf. Both teams, energized and eager, walked on the field hoping to open the season with a victory. Palmerton was able to beat Lehighton for the third season in a row; the final score favored the Bombers 54-30.
Palmerton started the game with possession and took advantage of the opportunity. After just eleven seconds, on the very first play of the game, the Bombers were able to run in a touchdown and kick a good extra point. The Indians responded quickly when a pass from senior quarterback, Brady O’Donnell, intended for sophomore Blake Roberts was nearly fumbled but was recovered by Lehighton’s Max Bergdahl. On the next play, Bergdahl was able to grab Lehighton’s first touchdown of the game.
Before the first quarter ended, Palmerton’s very talented senior quarterback Matt Machalik ran in a touchdown, and picked up an interception which he ran in for his second. The first-quarter score gave the Bombers the lead 20-6. This pattern continued throughout the entire game.
Palmerton’s Machalik had the first points of the second quarter with his third touchdown of the night. Lehighton kept their fight alive when senior Dylan Moyer ran in his first touchdown of the evening and grabbed the two-point conversion. The seemingly higher spirits of the Indians were shot down when Machalik ran in a 57-yard touchdown for the Bombers and snagged a two-point conversion. Bryce Marino of Palmerton snuck in the end zone before the clock ran out to get a final touchdown for the Bombers in the second quarter. The first half wrapped up with the Bombers outscoring the Indians 40-14.
The third quarter came with a slightly slower start for both teams. With 2:23 remaining in the quarter the Bombers scored another touchdown. Dylan Moyer of Lehighton made a great play for the Indians taking a 48-yard run into the end zone for his second touchdown. Fighting for as many points as possible, quarterback O’Donnell grabbed the two-point conversion for the Indians. The third quarter finished, and the Bombers held their lead 47-22.
With ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Machalik ran 33 yards for another Bomber touchdown. Keeping the intensity, O’Donnell rushed in a touchdown for the Indians while Moyer took the two-point conversion. The O’Donnell and Moyer duo put up a good fight for the Indians, but they could not keep up with Machalik and his line. In the end, the Palmerton Bombers defeated Lehighton 54-30. The Bombers build their season 1-0 and Lehighton 0-1. Next week Palmerton will face Catasauqua on the road. Lehighton will meet the Tamaqua Raiders at Tamaqua.
