This week in practice, Palmerton focused heavily on fundamentals and preventing big plays on defense.

That work paid off, as the Bombers contained Nanticoke’s offense throughout the game while their own offense exploded, powering Palmerton to a 62–14 victory over the Trojans.

The Bombers dominated along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball throughout the game. Their advantage in the trenches was evident early on, as they rocketed to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter.

“Those guys up front set the tone for us on both sides of the ball. They did a great job again tonight. They were huge for us in that Marian game last week wearing them down in the fourth quarter, so we’re going to ride those guys,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

“Just overall, it was a good work night for us. I thought we played fundamentally sound football and we didn’t give up big plays and we didn’t make many mental mistakes and those were all things we emphasized a lot this week.”

The Bombers (2-0) scored two touchdowns on their first two offensive plays of the game. Palmerton signal caller T.K. Gursky got off to a hot start finding Ben Negley for a 38-yard hookup for six on the Bombers first play from scrimmage. A 44-yard kickoff return from Cale Young set up the Bombers in Trojans territory.

On Palmerton’s next possession, Gursky found running back Michael Garey on a perfectly timed screen pass, and Garey turned it into a 20‑yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 14–0 less than two minutes into the game. The Bombers capped off the quarter with another score, this time on a nifty hook and ladder with Gursky finding Negley who then found Carson Eckhart on a lateral with Eckhart taking it in for the score from 38 yards out to up the advantage to 21-0.

The second quarter was a literal carpet bombing on the Trojans defense by the Bombers as they scored 35 points in the frame. Gursky kept his momentum rolling, opening the quarter with two more touchdown passes — a 22-yard strike to Negley and a 16-yard screen to Eckhart — stretching the lead to 35-0.

“T.K. had an awesome summer. We’re really happy with his growth from last year to this year. Seeing the game, managing the game and taking what the defense gives him are all things that he has really improved on,” said Walkowiak. “He’s doing a good job of reading the defense and taking the underneath stuff when he has to and then also picking the right times to let it rip.

“His confidence of running the offense rubs off on the team and they’re confident in him as well.”

The Bombers rushing attack, which was explosive all night long, then got in on the action, scoring the next three touchdowns of the second. A 83-yard scamper from Young, 41-yard rush from Carson Eckhart and a 32-yard punishing run from Caleb Eckhart put Palmerton out in front 56-0 at the half.

Freshman Luke Machalik came through with the final score of the night on an athletic 37-yard run.

“Again, I think it was a really good work night for us. I thought our guys played disciplined. We got out of the game healthy. Just really proud of the effort,” added Walkowiak.

T.K.O ... T.K. Gursky was as efficient as it gets. The junior went 6-of-8 for 153 yards and five touchdown passes.

GROUND GAME ... The Bombers rushing attack came through with a ton of big plays. Eight different Palmerton rushers ran the ball for a combined 330 yards at 15 yards per carry.

DOMINATING DEFENSE ... The Trojans’ 14 points came against the Palmerton reserves with the Bombers giving up just 170 yards of total offense including just 3.1 yards per carry in the run game.

Palmerton 62, Nanticoke 14

Nanticoke 0 0 14 0 - 14

Palmerton 21 35 0 6 - 62

P - Negley 38 pass from Gursky (Gursky run)

P - Garey 20 pass from Gursky (Moyzan kick)

P - Car. Eckhart 38 pass from Gursky (kick failed)

P - Negley 22 pass from Gursky (Moyzan kick)

P - Car. Eckhart 16 pass from Gursky (Moyzan kick)

P - Young 83 run (Moyzan kick)

P - Car. Eckhart 41 run (Moyzan kick)

P - Cal. Eckhart 32 run (Moyzan kick)

N -Johnson 15 pass from Beggs (Pastuizaca kick)

N -Smith 11 run (Pastuizaca kick)

P - Machalik 37 run (QB kneel)