A year ago, Palmerton ended its season with a heart breaking defeat to Northern Lehigh.

That loss put an end to a 3-7 season, and finished a somewhat disappointing campaign for head coach Chris Walkowiak and his club.

Despite the record, a number of underclassmen gained plenty of experience at several different positions. That time on the field could now pay dividends.

“I’m excited about our team this year due to the nucleus of players that we have returning,” Walkowiak said. “All of them gained a lot of experience last season and at multiple positions, which should help with our depth and versatility going into the season.”

Gone from last season’s team is Jordan Nelson, who has moved on to Villanova University. Nelson was the Times News Defensive Player of the Year and played multiple positions on offense. Also gone are integral players like Andrew Sabo, Chris Lucykanish and Braden Gower.

Walkowiak only had 24 players on that team a year ago, but the numbers have gone up as the 10th-year head coach will have 34 filling out the roster this season.

On offense, the Bombers hope to have one of three quality athletes step into the quarterback position. Junior Lucas Heydt, sophomore Cole Serfass, or freshman Matt Machalik will get their chance at the signal calling position. All three bring unique skill sets to the QB spot and can create different looks for opposing defenses.

Sabo led the team in rushing (737 yards, 13 touchdowns) last year and his departure leaves a void in the backfield. Several athletes, however, are awaiting their chance to shine. Junior James Denicola, and seniors Ethan Recker and Joey DeRossi all will get carries and can all produce.

With the three-headed option at quarterback, there needs to be some capable hands in the receiving corps, and Walkowiak has plenty. Recker, Heydt, senior Dylan Bartholomew, junior Harrison Dailey, sophomore Daniel Lucykanish, sophomore Dalton Drake, and DeRossi will be targets for the air attack.

Like many teams, the constant grind in the trenches will test the depth of the Bombers’ front line. Senior captain Owen Buck is a leader and will motivate his teammates. He will be a crucial cog to both the offensive and defensive lines.

Seniors Tim Iles, Brody Muniz, and Hunter Connell will all play a factor up front, as will juniors Jeremy Mooney and Shade Klotz.

“Owen Buck returns and was a captain last season, and is our emotional leader and a guy that leads by example,” Walkowiak said. “He will be anchoring both sides of the line for us this year.”

Walkowiak is hoping many of his players take their game to the next level.

“Lucas Heydt is back and is an exciting player to watch, due to his versatility on offense and is just a solid outside linebacker for our defense,” Walkowiak said. “We also have a host of skills players that are very capable of producing big plays on offense when they touch the ball like James Denicola, Ethan Recker, Daniel Lucykanish and Harrison Dailey.”

“Experience and depth at the skill position is a strength, as well as returning a solid core of linemen on each side of the ball. We are going to work on winning the turnover battle and limiting the big plays on defense, while creating more big plays for ourselves. On the same token, we need to excel in the red zone and capitalize on our opportunities, while also playing a more stingy defense that can bend, but must not break if opponents enter the red zone.”

With Covid wreaking havoc on the season, it can be difficult for teams to remain focused on the task at hand. Walkowiak, however, thinks his group is ok with the adversity of the pandemic.

“We have been taking a one-day-at-a-time approach and adhering to the excellent safety plan that has been put into place by our administration,” Walkowiak said. “The players have done a tremendous job in adhering to the safeguards we ask of them and they are responding well to it.

“At the same time, they are excited to play, coming off the layoff. Our team is a very close knit group that feeds off one another, which provides great team chemistry. The senior class has done an awesome job of leading by example and the entire team has a tremendous work ethic, are extremely coachable, and in each day at practice, we have seen improvement and some really good competition.”

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS - Thankfully for the Blue Bombers, plenty of experience is returning at the signal caller position, as three potential players are capable of filling the QB role. Sophomore Cole Serfass, junior Lucas Heydt and freshman Matt Machalik could all get playing time and will challenge each other for the position.

RUNNING BACKS - Also returning to the Palmerton lineup this season is a trio of tailbacks that Coach Walkowiak will look to spearhead the running game. They include seniors Ethan Recker and Joey DeRossi, and junior James Denicola.

WIDE RECEIVERS - Palmerton took some impressive steps to building their air attack last season, and have several capable receivers to haul in passes in 2020. Included among a large group are Heydt, DeRossi, Recker, senior Dylan Bartholomew, junior Harrison Dailey, and sophomores Daniel Lucykanish.

OFFENSIVE LINE - Owen Buck leads a troop of Bomber frontmen that Walkowiak has confidence in being able to toe the line. Seniors Tim Iles, Brody Muniz and Hunter Connell along with juniors Jeremy Mooney and Shade Klotz are all back to beef up the front attack for the Palmerton offense.

DEFENSIVE LINE - The same six players named on the offensive line will be playing on the other side of the ball, meaning depth might be an issue as the season moves forward.

LINEBACKERS - Walkowiak’s defensive unit has some talent at the linebacker position with Heydt, DeRossi, Serfass, seniors John Eckhart and Damien Carelli, and junior Dom Dengler all expected to see time behind the defensive line.

SECONDARY - Denicola, Recker, Dailey, Lucykanish, Drake and Machalik will be integral in stopping opponents’ air attacks, as they will be looked to help contain the Colonial League’s talented receivers throughout the year.