Cole Serfass doesn’t shy away from contact.

The sophomore also isn’t afraid of the pressure that comes with the starting quarterback position on a varsity football team.

Serfass embraced his role and showcased his ability during Palmerton’s 56-14 season-opening victory against Catasauqua last Friday.

Flashing an overwhelming combination of power and speed, Serfass rushed for 227 yards and four touchdowns and added another score through the air for the Blue Bombers, a performance that helped him secure Times News Player of the Week honors.

And he did it with the savvy and self-confidence of a veteran.

“Cole is a special young man,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “His demeanor, his character; he’s very mature for his age as a sophomore, the way he carries himself. He’s very poised. He’s a student of the game, and really accountable for his actions, and for his play and everything he does on the field.

“And he’s developing into a very good leader because he leads by example. He’s one of the first guys to show up and one of the last to leave, and he’s willing to put the extra time in watching film to manage the offense. I think he did a very good job of managing the offense on Friday night, taking what they gave us, and he’s obviously a dual-threat with his running skills besides being able to throw the ball.”

At 6-3, 200 pounds, Serfass showed he can do damage with the ball in his hands with 24 carries a week ago. His touchdown runs came on 1, 2, 33 and 7 yards.

His punishing running style is no accident.

“I try to look up to Tim Tebow,” Serfass said of the former Heisman Trophy winner. “Just his work ethic, and what he’s been doing ever since. I’ve been following him since he was with the Florida Gators, and that’s one of my biggest idols.”

Tebow, who was listed at 6-3, 225 coming out of high school, etched an indelible image in the minds of many football fans during a storied college career with the Gators as a dynamic runner and efficient passer before an improbable playoff run with the Denver Broncos.

Serfass delivered the type of instant impact with his arm and legs that was Tebow-esque.

“He’s a big quarterback, big body,” said Walkowiak. “And he’s only going to get bigger, so that’s a nice thing, too. He’s a straight, downhill, north and south runner, and we love to see that. He’s going to run through you for sure.

“He’s an inside linebacker, too, so he’s kind of an old school football player. We try getting him a break, but he’s not afraid of contact, that’s for sure.”

After having his freshman season cut short due to an injury, Serfass worked diligently to put himself - and the team - in a position to succeed Week 1.

“It’s amazing,” said Serfass. “Everybody here, every single day of the week, we’re all busting our butts every day. We keep putting in the work, and now it’s time for that to pay off.”

The sophomore’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Heydt snapped a 14-14 tie in the second quarter and kicked off a 42-0 run that helped the Blue Bombers take control.

“Our game plan didn’t necessarily change; we always want to run the ball,” said Walkowiak. “But we’re going to take what they’re going to give us. We were running the ball very effectively, and we’re all about spreading the ball around because we have a solid nucleus of kids. But seeing him get downhill and just watching him run later in the game, taking over, and the big touchdown run that he had later on, kind of sealed it.”

And he’s just scratching the surface.

“The first drive of the game last week, I felt like we were in a groove,” said Serfass. “And I think it just carried on throughout the whole game. Since the first snap on offense, I felt we had something good going for us that night.

“And we can build a lot off that because we showed that we can play with anybody, and that we’re a very good team.”