The mission was clear.

And on Friday night it became a reality.

After already being eliminated from the playoffs, Palmerton’s goal all week was to end the season on a winning note and send its seniors out in style.

One of those seniors came through in a big way to make that happen, while some underclassmen also stepped up to give the Blue Bombers a 28-13 victory over Catasauqua in their season finale.

“We just wanted to end on a win and end on top,” said Palmerton senior quarterback Jameson Trainer, who ran for 199 yards and threw for 51 more in his final high school contest. “I really think it was a matter (that) it was the last game, and we all just wanted to end with a good win.”

Trainer was just one of three Bomber 12th graders on the field against the Rough Riders, with the others being Aidan Ortiz and Trevor Anthony.

“I’m thrilled to send these seniors off with a win,” said head coach Chris Walkowiak. “Trevor Anthony joined this year and was a great addition. The two other guys (Trainer and Ortiz) were four-year players. You don’t know how much they mean to me and the program, of what they’ve done and their grit and determination they have shown.

“It’s everything that Palmerton football is about, and I’m proud of them. Our goal all week was for everybody to step up and send them off with a win.”

That win didn’t come easy and wasn’t secured until late when junior Logan Anthony came up with a crucial defensive play.

With the Bombers leading 21-13 and heading for another score, a fumble ended their drive at the 5-yard line with six minutes left in regulation. Catasauqua took over and moved 38 yards in five plays and seemed to have momentum on its side.

But then the 6-4, 320-pound Anthony stepped in front of a Jordan Bradshaw pass and intercepted it to give the Bombers another scoring chance.

This time, they converted when Vincent Taglieri motored 19 yards to pay dirt for his third touchdown of the game to practically seal the contest with three minutes to play.

“Most definitely (that’s the dream of a defensive lineman),” said Anthony. “I came off the edge unblocked because I think the tackle, they release on screens, and I just saw the quarterback looking at me and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is my shot.’

“Every drive, my mentality is you’ve got to do your job. It was definitely a big momentum for them (getting the fumble), but I just felt like I’ve got to go out there and do my job. Every play I want to get a sack or a TFL (tackle for loss). That was just a big momentum change. That was big for us.”

Taglieri also came up big for Palmerton in his first start at running back.

The junior took a screen pass 46 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage after the Roughies posted the first score midway through the second quarter.

“They got us on a trick play (on their first score),” said Walkowiak. “We made a screen call on our next play and executed it the right way. It put momentum right back in our favor and that definitely was a huge play in the grand scheme of the night.

“I’m really proud of (Taglieri). We had to put him at running back and he hasn’t played there all year. Man, I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do. He ran hard, he has speed, and credit to the offensive line: They also did a great job of opening holes.”

After Catty retook the lead late in the second quarter, once again Palmerton answered.

The line opened holes for Trainer, who collected all 70 yards of the drive on six carries — the final one from 16 yards out — to give the home team a 14-13 lead at the half.

“Matt Maholick was obviously a top quarterback and athlete coming out of here, and someone had the inevitable job of having to follow him,” said Walkowiak. “And Jameson did a great job of leading. I told him leaving the field that his legacy is that someone had to step up and do the job, and I thought he was the perfect fit.”

The Bombers extended their lead in the second half after Alex Keiper picked off a pass and returned it deep in Catty territory. Taglieri reached the end zone on a 7-yard run to make it 21-13.

The defense did the rest, shutting out the Roughies over the final two periods.

“I feel like our defensive line was huge up front tonight,” said Anthony. “We didn’t get driven back off the ball too much. Credit to our secondary because they played their butts off tonight. We didn’t have many blown coverages or big plays against us, so that was huge.”

END OF THE LINE … Palmerton ended its season with a 3-7 record after starting the season 0-5. Catasauqua, which needed a win to make districts, also finished with a 3-7 mark.

KEY INJURY … Rough Rider starting quarterback Aiden Reilly left the game with an injury in the second half after throwing for 152 yards and two TDs. His backup, Bradshaw, ran for 99 yards.

Palmerton 28, Catasauqua 13

Catasauqua 0 13 0 0 - 13

Palmerton 0 14 7 7 - 28

C - Pacheco 46 pass from Reilly (Cordon Pinto kick)

P - Taglieri 46 pass from Trainer (T. Anthony kick)

C - Lafond 21 pass from Reilly (kick blocked)

P - Trainer 16 run (T. Anthony kick)

P - Taglieri 7 run (T. Anthony kick)

P - Taglieri 19 run (T. Anthony kick)