Change will be a common theme for several Palmerton teams this fall, but so will opportunity.

The Blue Bombers welcome new leadership in boys soccer, field hockey and cross country, while the volleyball program features a young roster under interim coach Lily Kershner. Girls soccer, meanwhile, returns several experienced players from a team that reached the District 11 Class 2A quarterfinals last season.

With a mix of veteran contributors and young athletes stepping into larger roles, Palmerton’s fall teams will look to develop throughout the season and make their mark in the Colonial League and District 11.

BOYS SOCCER

Head coach: Caleb Loew (first year). The Blue Bombers were 6-11-1 overall and 5-9-1 in the Colonial League last season.

League: Colonial League.

Key losses: Carter Huber, who is playing with Penn Rising’s MLS Homegrown team.

Key returnees: Senior midfielder Wyatt Spalding; junior midfielder/forward Justin Spurdik; sophomore forward Brett Smith; junior center back Zachary Borger.

Top newcomers: None listed.

Season outlook: Loew is optimistic about the Blue Bombers in his first season, particularly an attack that features several talented players who have developed chemistry together. With youth and inexperience on the back end, Palmerton will look for its younger players to develop as the season progresses. Loew also expects the team’s depth to be important, with several younger players coming off the bench being asked to contribute. The Blue Bombers have set their sights on qualifying for both the Colonial League and District 11 Class 2A playoffs.

Quotable: “For the fall of 2026, things are looking bright for us. The pieces are there to have a great season and start to change the story for our program. We have a few notable goals for the season, namely to qualify for the Colonial League tournament and District 11 Class 2A championships and to win a game in one of them. We also have the goal of finishing over .500 for the second time in recent history. We know these are achievable goals, but it will require a great effort to make them happen.” — Palmerton boys soccer coach Caleb Loew

FIELD HOCKEY

Head coach: Jillian Frank (first year). The Blue Bombers were 9-11 overall and 4-2 in the Colonial League West last season.

League: Colonial League.

Key losses: Goalkeeper Sarah Sabo; midfielders Tessa Sander and Ali Green; defenders Cate Morgan and Taylor Serfass; forward Gabby Lucas.

Key returnees: Senior forwards Ally Herrmann and Maya Ortiz; junior midfielder Maddy Thomas; junior forward Chelsea Brown; sophomore defender Kylee Dietrich; sophomore forward Chloe Brown; sophomore goalkeeper Julia Maupin.

Top newcomers: Freshmen Kenzi Spalding and Mya Lengel.

Season outlook: Frank takes over as head coach after previously working with the program at the middle school and varsity levels. She expects an experienced and confident offensive group to be one of Palmerton’s strengths, with the Blue Bombers looking to consistently create pressure and scoring opportunities. Improving their transition game and overall field awareness will also be priorities, particularly when transitioning from offense to defense after losing possession.

Quotable: “Our goals for the 2026 season are to build on our strengths, compete at a high level every game, and continue developing a strong team culture both on and off the field. We expect our players to work hard, support one another, and represent our program with pride. Success for this team will be measured not only by wins, but also by growth, teamwork, effort, and the relationships we build along the way. We are excited about the potential of this group and look forward to competing for success this fall.” — Palmerton field hockey coach Jillian Frank

GIRLS SOCCER

Head coach: Jon Perloni (fourth year). The Blue Bombers were 8-9 overall and 6-8 in the Colonial League last season.

League: Colonial League.

Key losses: Center back Courtney Connell; left back Leah Rumfield; defensive midfielder Hadlee Lake.

Key returnees: Senior striker Aubrey Frable; senior goalkeeper Taylor Wasilewski; senior midfielder Addison Buck; senior outside back Kate Fritz.

Top newcomers/others to watch: Sophomore attacking midfielder Harper Lake; sophomore winger Avery Barry; freshman defensive midfielder Rachel Yaroslavsky; junior center back Mia Buck.

Season outlook: Palmerton narrowly missed the Colonial League playoffs last season before advancing to the District 11 Class 2A quarterfinals. Perloni believes a close-knit group that plays well together can help the Blue Bombers return to the postseason and take another step this fall. Overall numbers remain a concern during a demanding schedule, but Perloni has been encouraged by the team’s attitude, accountability and willingness to push itself during the preseason.

Quotable: “I feel this team can compete all the way to the end of the season. They have all come into the season with a good attitude, and despite having low numbers, they are pushing themselves to some levels that I haven’t really seen in years past. This group is holding themselves a lot more accountable for performances at practice and wanting to always improve. I believe that if they can get in the groove early in the year, there’s no reason that they can’t push all the way through.” — Palmerton girls soccer coach Jon Perloni

CROSS COUNTRY

Head coach: Michael Noyola (first year). The boys were 15-13 and the girls were 8-19-1 last season.

League: Colonial League.

Key losses: Boys — Connor Hibell, a four-time Colonial League and District 11 medalist and four-time state qualifier; Ezra Green, Shane Bollinger and Gavin Wininger. Girls — Payten Fornaro and two-time state qualifier Emma Rex.

Key returnees: Boys — None listed. Girls — sophomore Lillian Fox.

Top newcomers: Boys — freshmen Gunnar Wentz, Brody Payonk and Ryan Lenhart; sophomore Lincoln Baker. Girls — junior Chelsea Brown; freshman Sophia Cornmesser.

Season outlook: Noyola, a 2021 Palmerton graduate who competed in cross country and track for the Blue Bombers, takes over a program in rebuilding mode after spending several years as a runner and assistant coach. Numbers will be a challenge, with a seven-runner roster that includes five first-year high school competitors. Noyola’s focus is on developing the young group throughout the season while beginning to rebuild the program for the future.

Quotable: “With the young talent that we have, and the middle school runners that we have training with us over the summer, it’s the start to rebuilding the program that was once a district championship team. The biggest goal this year is to have our athletes keep on progressing throughout the season and finish strong when we enter the championship meets. I’m confident we’ll see great progression in our season.” — Palmerton cross country coach Michael Noyola

VOLLEYBALL

Interim coach: Lily Kershner (first year at Palmerton; three previous seasons of coaching experience). The Blue Bombers were 4-16 overall and 3-12 in the Colonial League last season.

League: Colonial League.

Key losses: Setter Sadie Gair, who recorded 500 career assists and broke the school record; middle hitter Hailey Barry, the program’s season MVP; middle hitter Mikayla Maxwell, the program’s career digs record holder.

Key returnees: Junior outside hitter Dalainey Keiser; senior defensive specialist/libero Morgan Wayda.

Top newcomers: Sophomore middle hitter Violet Scott; sophomore setter Izabella McFarland; sophomore defensive specialist/libero Lilly Rowden; junior setter/defensive specialist Nina Mendes.

Season outlook: Kershner stepped in to lead the Blue Bombers while head coach Savannah Mickel was away on military deployment. With Mickel now back and assisting the program on a volunteer basis, the two are working together as Palmerton prepares a young roster for the season. Wayda is the lone senior, while several players are making the jump from junior varsity and taking on expanded roles. Kershner has been encouraged by the group’s willingness to learn, improve and step outside its comfort zone. Continued development in ball control, placement, transitions, footwork and overall volleyball IQ will be priorities as the Blue Bombers adjust to the increased pace and expectations of varsity competition.

Quotable: “We are excited to see where this season takes us, especially considering the many changes and challenges this team has embraced along the way. We are confident that their work ethic, determination, and commitment to one another will continue to drive their success. The girls have consistently shown that they are willing to put in the extra work, learn from challenges, and push themselves outside of their comfort zones. We are excited to see how much they continue to develop throughout the season and are hopeful that their hard work will translate into a successful and rewarding season. Most importantly, we want the girls to continue building confidence, competing with purpose, and taking pride in everything they accomplish together.” — Palmerton interim volleyball coach Lily Kershner