Palmerton’s stock has been trending upwards since the start of the season - and its special teams have served as a critical reason why Blue Bomber stockholders have been happy with their 2023 dividends.

Once again, the Bombers’ strong special teams play got them off to a fast start and they rolled to a 54-23 win over Palisades on Friday.

Ty Sander’s 53-yard return of the opening kickoff setup a 34-yard Matt Machalik rushing score and two first quarter punt returns from Brayden Hosier - one for 25 yards and one for 15 yards - would help setup eventual Palmerton touchdowns for a quick 21-0 first quarter lead.

Another touchdown run from Machalik - this time on a 62-yard scamper - and a 39-yard strike from Machalik to Bryce Marino were also products of Palmerton’s efficient special teams play.

“In the first game of the year, we started off our season with a kick return for a touchdown and we have continued to do good things there. Really, we’ve just been getting bodies on bodies and coach Lesher and his guys on that unit have been doing a great job,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “But if you get bodies on bodies and create some lanes, good things can happen. We have some dangerous skill guys who can make some plays in those situations.”

Palisades best moment of the night came at the start of the second quarter after the Pirates started a drive with good field position on the Palmerton 43-yard line. A few plays into the drive, Palisades would get on the board with a nice 27-yard pitch and catch from Gregory Borgesson to Austin Rambo.

But as it has throughout the season, the Palmerton big-play offense would go on a big run midway through the second quarter. Yet another dynamic special teams play - this time on a fake punt - on the Bombers’ first possession of the second frame turned into a 52-yard gain by Machalik that would spark another huge quarter for the Bomber offense.

The Bombers scored four touchdowns in the period - a Sander two-yard run, a Sander 68-yard jaunt up the middle, a Machalik 49-yard burst and a Machalik flick to Sander from 13 yards out right before the half that made it 48-10 at intermission.

“The big plays were huge tonight. We talked all week that we needed to come out and get off to a good start and be explosive and we were able to do that,” said Walkowiak. “I thought one of the best drives of the night came right before the half. Less than a minute left in the half, starting at our own 37, and we were able to go right down the field and stay poised. The offense did a great job of engineering that drive.”

With the game in the mercy rule in the second half, the Bombers were able to tack on one more score on another hookup between Machalik and Sander -this one for 38 yards.

FIRST HALF RUSH … Machalik and Sander both had huge first half rushing numbers for the Bombers. Machalik rushed for 211 yards and three scores on seven carries, while Sander had nine carries for 100 yards and two rushing TDs.

BIG NUMBERS … Machalik and Sander had some big overall offensive numbers on the night as well. Machalik finished with 400 yards of total offense, three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns. Sander finished with 171 yards of total offense, two rushing scores and two receiving touchdowns.

NEXT UP … Palmerton improves to 3-0 and will head to Jim Thorpe next week to take on the Olympians (1-2).