Start fast.

That’s what Palmerton wanted to accomplish in its match-up with Lehighton on Friday night, and the Bombers were able to do just that.

Palmerton switched on the afterburners right from the opening kick, leaving the Indians’ Stadium with a 54-30 victory.

The Bombers scored their first touchdown on the opening kick when Stephen Jones raced 82 yards to the house after his teammates formed a nice wall of blockers on the right side of the field. It was exactly the start Palmerton was looking for.

“We heard some of the talk and some of the chatter leading up to the game and our goal was to try and start fast. We wanted to keep those opening night emotions in check and execute,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “I thought we did a good job of that, and we always stress the importance of special teams, so to score on the opening kickoff of the game, I was proud of that unit for executing, and it was a great return by Stephen Jones.”

However, Lehighton would do a good job of putting the opening Palmerton score behind it, answering with a score of its own to make it a 7-6 ball game still early in the first. A 55-yard hookup between Brady O’Donnell and Max Bergdahl that was initially tipped when going across the middle ended up in Bergdahl’s hands, and he was able to rumble all the way down inside the Palmerton 10-yard line. O’Donnell would then find Bergdahl out in the flat a few plays later for the score.

Palmerton, though, would quickly take back momentum due to its All-State quarterback, Matt Machalik. A 19-yard touchdown run from Machalik after an eight play, 64-yard drive would make it 14-6, and then on Lehighton’s ensuing possession, Machalik jumped in front of a quick out to the left sideline, intercepting the pass, taking it 33 yards for the pick six, upping the Bombers lead to two scores with 5:24 left in the first.

“We were excited for this one. We worked hard and prepared and we were able to come out and execute, and beat a tough Lehighton team,” said Machalik.

Palmerton added another score early in the second quarter off another Machalik touchdown scamper to give it a 26-6 lead, but again Lehighton showed toughness, putting together an 11-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by a Dylan Moyer 3-yard TD run with just under three minutes remaining in the half.

But yet again, enter Machalik. On Palmerton’s ensuing possession on its third play of the drive from the Tribe 38, Machalik rolled right and danced his way through a host of Indian would-be tacklers, and then accelerated for a 57-yard score.

Machalik, however, was still not done making plays in the half. After the Bombers were able to force Lehighton to punt they would get the ball back with under a minute remaining at their own 40-yard line. A few plays later, Machalik found a streaking Bryce Marino, who got behind the Indians’ secondary for a 36-yard pitch and catch to give Palmerton a commanding 40-14 lead at the intermission, which it would use to help it come away with an eventual win.

“Matt was Matt tonight. There are just some things he does out there, where all you can do is shake your head in amazement,” said Walkowiak. “But also, credit to our guys up front for giving Matt time to move around in the pocket and make plays and find open receivers. Overall, it was a good effort tonight. We definitely have some things we need to clean up and work on, but an opening night win is always something you can build on.”

ALL-TIME-ALL-TIME … One Palmerton record still alluded Machalik coming into last night’s match-up, which was the Bombers’ career passing mark. Machalik needed just 69 yards to break the record, which he did in the first half.

WHAT A NIGHT … Machalik continues to stuff the stat sheet for Palmerton in his career. He finished the night with over 350 total yards and five touchdowns.

UP FRONT … Palmerton was good up front on both sides of the ball, rushing for 268 yards on the ground and giving up just 88 rushing yards.