Garrett Perschy was given his first varsity start at quarterback during the final game of the season last year against archrival Northern Lehigh in the Battle of Blue Mountain.

Not an easy task.Despite losing the contest in the final minutes, Perschy took what he learned from the experience and used it during the off-season to make sure he would be the starting quarterback when the Bombers opened the season this fall.Three games in, Perschy has improved each week. And his two touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown, 10 completions out of 14 attempts for 215 yards in a 54-13 win over Bangor, earned him The Times News Football Player of the Week Award for Week 3.The 215 yards also saw him become only the third Palmerton quarterback in over 30 years to throw for over 200 yards in a game.The true sophomore showed his humble side and why he is a team player and was chosen as a team captain with three years to play."It was a real good feeling (hitting the 200-yard plateau), I didn't realize it until after the game," Perschy said earlier this week. "I couldn't have done it without my teammates. Linemen up front gave me time with their blocks, receivers getting open, having weapons on the outside. It wasn't just me."This might be considered an individual award. But I think it is more of a team award because I couldn't have done it by myself."Perschy is really happy to have a fine corp of receivers that has given him the opportunity to rack up the passing yards thus far."Receivers like Dominic Shivone, Nick Sander, Sean Doherty, Jay Pereira and Mike Stasko," Perschy said. "Just having them all out there with the speed on the outside is a great weapon. Just getting the ball to them in space and having those playmakers out there is great."Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak said even though Perschy is a sophomore, he's like another coach on the field, much like his cousin Matt Falcone, who had quite a successful year as a Palmerton signal-caller himself not too long ago. Perschy also chose to wear the same No. 7 that Falcone wore."It starts with Garrett's mental preparation and physical preparation," said Walkowiak. "He's a great leader."His mental approach, he's a student of the game. As a freshman, he knew what every position had to do. He knew how the linemen had to play. He could tell you who had to block who, who was doing what and that's a credit to him."Physically, he has gotten better, works hard and assumes responsibility and shows maturity. The key to knowing him is that he is so positive and encouraging."Even though he's a sophomore, Walkowiak said Perschy's strong point is his knowledge of the game and his vision. Considering that his grandfather, the late Tom Wargo, was also a head coach at Palmerton doesn't surprise the coach."He picks up things quick," Walkowiak said. "He learns things on the fly and really fast. He is calm and cool under pressure. And it helps our players knowing that everything is under control."Perschy has the confidence of Walkowiak that he lets him do a lot of audibling already."He's good at picking up things and also comes off the field and gives us feedback," Walkowiak quipped.Needless to say, the Blue Bombers can breathe easy. It looks like they'll have a good leader for a while.