Surrendering the big play has been plaguing Palmerton throughout the season, but against Palisades on Friday the Bombers were the team dishing out the explosive plays. Palmerton tallied 505 yards of total offense on its way to a 44-21 victory over the Pirates.

“We always talk about playing complementary football. That’s what we were able to do tonight. Any time we needed to answer, we were able to, and we were able to with an exclamation point, whether it was a big pass play or a big run play,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “Also, as always, we have to give credit to the offensive line. We were a little healthier this week and that group just got it going. That group has grown a lot and is continuing to develop.”

The Bombers (2-5) have been playing solid football all season long in the first half of games and they continued that trend in this one, as well. After Palmerton and Palisades battled to a scoreless tie in the first quarter, the Bombers would explode for 21 points in the second frame.

Two huge scoring runs — a 19-yard rush from Cale Young and a 72-yard scamper from Jameson Trainer — would give Palmerton a 14-7 edge with 2:27 left to play in the first half. The Bombers defense would then get a huge stop on Palisades’ ensuing possession on a fourth and one attempt from the Pirates own 29-yard line. Palmerton would get the surge they needed knocking the Palisades runner back a yard, taking over on the 28. One play later, Trainer would find Vincent Taglieri for the 28-yard strike to make it a 21-7 Bombers’ advantage going into the half.

“Getting that stop on the fourth and one play in their own territory and then being able to take it right in and score, I thought that was the turning point in the game,” said Walkowiak. “I thought our defense played pretty well on the night. They got stops when they needed to and again our sudden change defense was good for the second week in a row. We definitely need to cut down on our turnovers, but the defense stepped up when we needed it.”

Trainer, who rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, picked up right where he left off, with a 27-yard rush to open Palmerton’s first possession of the third. Later in the drive he would come through with another explosive run, scoring on a 23-yard dash to make it a 28-7 ballgame.

“We’re a young team and we’re growing every week,” said Palisades head coach Bobby Smith. “We gave up too many big plays tonight. I think our eyes got caught in the backfield a few times, but credit to Palmerton and their athletes. On the fourth and one call, I just felt like we needed to try and get that first down to build some confidence and get something going to build off of, but we didn’t get it. That one was on me.”

The Bombers would continue to keep the Pirates at arms length for the rest of the contest. A 24-yard pitch and catch from Trainer to Alex Keiper would make it a 35-7 Palmerton lead midway through the third. Palisades best play of the night would come with them trailing by 28 points, when Ashton Fitzgerald would receive the Bombers’ kickoff at the 5-yard line, finding a seam and then going the distance for the 95-yard score.

However, the Palmerton offense just continued to answer. Yet another Trainer touchdown run, this time from 18 yards out would give the Bombers a 41-14 lead in the fourth quarter, putting the game away.

RUNAWAY TRAINER … Trainer looked like a runaway freight train in this one. The senior signal caller finished with 268 rushing yards on just 13 carries, with three rushing touchdowns. Trainer also threw for 135 yards and two scores.

IN THE TRENCHES … Palmerton was good on both sides of the ball along the line of scrimmage. The Bombers held Palisades to just 96 yards rushing, while paving the way for 370 yards on the ground.

Palmerton 44, Palisades 21

Palmerton 0 21 14 9 - 44

Palisades 0 7 7 7 - 21

Palm - Young 19 run (T. Anthony kick)

Pali - Cook 18 pass from Trickel (Borgesson kick)

Palm - Trainer 72 run (T. Anthony kick)

Palm - Taglieri 28 pass from Trainer (T. Anthony kick)

Palm - Trainer 23 run (T. Anthony kick)

Palm - Keiper 24 pass from Trainer (T. Anthony kick)

Pali - Fitzgerald 95 kickoff return (Borgesson kick)

Palm - Trainer 18 run (kick failed)

Pali - Fitzgerald 1 run (Borgesson kick)

Palm - T. Anthony 24 FG