After the greatest football career in Palmerton High School history, Matt Machalik is moving on to the next level.

A lot will change for the record-setting quarterback over the next four years, but a few things will also stay about the same.

When Machalik steps on the field at Lehigh University next season, he’ll be part of a proud program that’s striving to return to glory, much like he did as a Blue Bomber freshman four years ago.

He’ll also be playing in front of friends and family, just as he has for his whole life.

After weighing offers from Navy and Lafayette, Machalik chose Lehigh because of the connections he made with everyone he met in the Mountain Hawk program.

“My heart instantly was with Lehigh,” he said Wednesday at a letter of intent signing ceremony at Palmerton Area High School. “They have a great coaching staff there. I bonded with the coaching staff and guys on the team. Even guys they recruited and are committing today as well I bonded with. That’s what made me pick Lehigh.

“It’s a great feeling to know that’s going to be my home for the next four years. I feel really happy about that.”

Machalik passed for 6,055 yards and ran for 5,447 in his career, becoming the first player in state history to eclipse 5,000 yards in both rushing and passing. He accounted for 95 career touchdowns, and holds just about every team record in the book.

He’s heading to Lehigh ready to work hard to get even better, while also making his team better, as he has the past four seasons at Palmerton.

“I’m going to compete to get on the field,” he said. “College is a different ball game than high school. It’s not going to be easy. I’m always looking to compete. I’m looking to get on the field no matter what position it is, quarterback, athlete.

“I’m really excited to be in a highly competitive group. I’m honestly really looking forward to the competition. I’m going to step right in there. I know it’s going to be a challenge, but if you’re not competing why play.”

He’s aware Lehigh went 2-9 last fall and lost its second straight rivalry game to Lafayette, which went on to the national playoffs. That’s not going to become a trend if Machalik has anything to do with it.

“Goal in the next couple years is just to bring back a winning program to Lehigh,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to being part of the oldest rivalry in college football. “I’m excited for that, to go play a team at the end of the year for a trophy. It’s really cool. It’s a prestigious rivalry. I’m really pumped up for that.”

Over his high school career, Machalik enjoyed the community support he and his teammate received, especially after going 10-0 during the regular season this past fall and reaching the district title game.

He’s looking forward to that continuing for the next four years on South Mountain.

“That was another part of my decision,” he said. “I wanted to be kind of close to home so family and friends could watch. I’m going to have a pretty big fan base. Palmerton always shows up to games. I really like the Lehigh Valley. I know they’re always going to be supporting me. I like the community support, and I like giving back to the community. It’s great to have that and be at a school where they can come out to support me.”