When one plays with ice in their veins, it means they are cool under pressure during the course of a game.

If there’s one position in football to have a player with a coldblooded mentality, it’s most certainly quarterback.

Fortunately for the Palmerton Blue Bombers, they have such a player in sophomore signal caller Matty “Ice” Machalik.

On a hot and humid opening night that included a weather delay due to lightning in the area, Machalik put together a chilling performance - he was responsible for five touchdowns in helping Palmerton defeat Lehighton 46-13.

His performance was more than enough to earn him Times News Player of the Week for Week 1 of the long-awaited high school football season.

Machalik wasted no time making an impact against the Indians. The Bombers’ coaching staff gave the young QB the green light on the very first play of the night, and Machalik made the most of it, hitting wide receiver James DeNicola down the right sideline for a 74-yard pitch-and-catch.

“There are not many instances where Matt doesn’t have the green light. We have total confidence in him and what he brings to the table from both an athletic and leadership standpoint,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “From what we saw from him last year and then what he’s looked like throughout the summer, and his playmaking ability, he’s just a talented young man.”

Machalik continued to make play after play in the first half against the Indians, helping the Bombers get out to a 20-0 lead, and 28-7 halftime advantage. When the first half was all said and done, Machalik threw for a score, rushed for two touchdowns and returned an interception for 45 yards for six.

While it wasn’t quite a coming-out party for the sophomore - due to his successful freshman campaign that saw him accumulate over 1,000 yards of total offense - it was Machalik’s first full game as the unequivocal leader of the Palmerton offense.

“Matt has that ability to make plays wherever he’s at on the field, whether he’s a QB or in the secondary on defense, making calls back there as well,” said Walkowiak. “He has such a great feel for the game, and he also has awesome instincts. He really sees the field well and can stretch plays with his legs. He showed his versatility last week, that’s for sure.”

The jump from seeing significant time as a freshman to full-time starter as a sophomore was an important developmental stage for Machalik - a process that he obviously took seriously and prepared for to the fullest. His stat line last Friday night surely is a result of his preparation as he threw for 196 yards and a score and rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns.

“Matt has always had that leadership quality, and he has really put in the time to get better, with film study and a full offseason this year,” said Walkowiak. “Our QB coach, and wide receiver coach Mark Versuk has also done a great job with Matt working with him on the finer points of quarterback play, which I think has helped accelerate his development and has helped him play at a higher level. But in the end, you have to put the work in, and Matt is always willing to do that.”