Every football program wants to have an identity.

Palmerton is no different.

But the Bombers know exactly who they are and what they’re about.

And they showed it once again last Friday.

Palmerton powered its way to a 41-26 win over Notre Dame Green Pond, running the ball 53 times to the tune of 367 yards, and controlling the line of scrimmage and the clock against an explosive offense.

Senior Ty Sander scored three touchdowns and threw for another one in the Bombers’ win, finished with 151 yards of total offense (123 rushing), and also intercepted a pass that set up a TD, a performance that helped him earn Times News Football Player of the Week honors.

“It was just a great game, everyone played their part, we all came out excited,” said Sander. “We had no doubts of losing, we just wanted to win. Everyone came out, played, did our role and just played smash-mouth football, Palmerton football.”

Sander carried the ball 28 times. And he enjoyed every single one of them.

“I was excited for basically every run play,” he said. “It didn’t matter to me. Outside, inside. I just wanted to run the ball, and I knew all my guys were going to block for me, they were going to get the job done. Their energy was super high, so I just knew it was going to be a very fun, physical game.”

The Palmerton line might have enjoyed those plays even more than Sander.

And the group – senior Clayton Christman (center), senior Zach Anthony (guard), sophomore Logan Anthony (guard), senior Alex Konze (tackle) and sophomore Beau Stahler (tackle) – has been a vital part of the Bombers’ 5-0 start.

“I like that group because they’re a veteran group,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “Zach Anthony has been a four-year starter for us, he was all-league for us. Clayton Christman has been a three-year starter, Alex Konze has been a three-year starter. Logan Anthony and Beau Stahler both started as freshman. s)o it’s a veteran group, they get along well, they communicate well, which helps the scheme. coach Falcone, coach Lesher, coach Cameron do a great job with the line and getting them ready. But I think it starts with the veteran leadership, the seniors of the group.

“Zach has a tremendous knowledge of the schemes and what we do. Clayton and Alex, they do an awesome job. They’ve been a good example for Logan and Beau, and then obviously Logan with his size, 6-4, 300, he’s getting Division 1 attention already, and rightfully so. He just brings it. And Beau is no slouch at 225. So we’re big across the board. And they do a great job mentoring our younger ninth graders right now, too.”

Palmerton has the area’s best offense, averaging 43.4 points and 455.4 yards per game, with 327.6 of those coming on the ground.

Sander, who is listed at 5-11, 180 pounds, is a north-south runner, and a player who compliments quarterback Matt Machalik in the running game.

“Ty would have it no other way than to run between the tackles,” Walkowiak said with a smile. “Ty will be the first to tell you, he doesn’t want to run outside. I’ve said it many times, Ty I think is disappointed if there’s not contact on a play. He’s always taking the pile forward. He’s a tough runner, he has good vision, he also possesses good speed.

“So by being able to get him going, helps Matt (Machalik) taking some of the burden off of him in the run game there. But it just adds another dimension to our offense, and then hopefully by establishing that run game, it does open up the pass game for us.”

Sander is also the area’s third-leading receiver with 20 catches for 241 yards.

“He’s a weapon in that aspect,” Walkowiak said of Sander’s receiving prowess. “But Ty’s been playing for four years, he knows the system very well and he’s a captain this year for us because of his leadership and what he does on the field and off the field, and how he relates to the players.

“He’s just a pleasure to have around because Ty, to me, is an old-school player. He has an old(-)school mentality where he just wants to get out there and say let’s go. He brings passion and energy to the field, whether it’s offensively or defensively.”

And that’s what Palmerton football is all about.

“We’re just excited for the rest of the season,” said Sander. “We’re excited to be 5-0. We just want to keep playing football, and try to extend our season as long as we can.”