The Palmerton football team may look different this season, but with a winning foundation solidified over the past three seasons, don’t expect the Blue Bombers to lay down.

The loss of a talented senior class will certainly bring on some growing pains, but the Bombers possess an equalizer that could lessen the load for some of their youngsters.

Palmerton will be strong in the trenches in 2024, anchored by a group with both size and experience.

Juniors Logan Anthony (6-4, 320) and Beau Stahler (6-2, 225) will be the leaders of that group. Anthony and Stahler have a ton of meaningful snaps in championship moments for the Bombers.

“Our strength and our identity is going to be tough and physical play up front. We have great size and good experience with that unit. Logan and Beau are going to be three-year starters for us, and they have played in some big games for us,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

“Then we have three other guys in Mason Konze, Mason Heilman and Colson Ruzicka. Those guys have some snaps to their name as well and got some key playoff experience last season. We always want to be able to run the ball, and I think we have a group up front that is going to help us accomplish that.”

Palmerton has good leadership up front, but it loses almost all of its experience from a skill position group that helped the Bombers lead the Times News area in yards per game, averaging almost 414 yards per contest.

Palmerton will need to break in new starters at almost every skill position group.

“Jameson Trainer has stepped into that leadership role for us at quarterback. He’s been the backup for a few years now and has been a two-year starter on defense for us. I think already you can see the game slowing down for him on offense and he’s gaining confidence there,” said Walkowiak.

“Again, we’re always going to look to establish the run and we have two sophomore running backs in Caleb Sagastume (112 rushing yards, 2 TDs) and Cale Young that we’re excited about.”

Palmerton faithful were used to seeing a ton of explosive plays over the past three seasons that helped the Bombers finish a combined 28-9 over that span. The Palmerton offense may look to be a little more methodical early on as they find what works, but the Bombers’ approach will still be the same as in season’s past.

“We might be more of a grind-it-out team this season. But our goals are still the same every year — move the sticks, take what the defense gives us and take care of the football,” said Walkowiak.

“I don’t care what anybody says, winning the turnover battle week in and week out is one of the most important keys to winning and losing football games.”

The Bombers’ strength in the trenches on offense will need to also translate over to the defensive side of the ball as their starters along the offensive front will also see a lot of defensive action.

Anthony had a nice year inside on defense last season, collecting 59 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Defense is also where Palmerton does return its most experience with linebackers Trainer (58 tackles), Aidan Ortiz (39 tackles) and James Mack (18 tackles). Junior Alex Keiper also returns and will anchor the secondary (27 tackles, 2 interceptions).

“Defensively, we have looked fast. I like our speed with that unit. I also like our versatility. Up front and at linebacker I think we can move a lot of guys around to different spots, which is always nice to have,” said Walkowiak.

“We have some experience on that side of the ball, and we always preach to just do your job. Do your job and the next guy does his job, and that’s how you play good defense.

“Overall, I just really like this team. They have been working hard, they’re scrappy and they play hard. It’s been a spirited camp so far, so we’re just looking forward to getting better every single day and getting out there and competing.”

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Palmerton Position Breakdown

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Jameson Trainer takes over the helm as the signal caller after a few seasons in the backup role for All-State signal-caller Matt Machalik. Freshman T.K. Gursky will serve as the backup this season.

RUNNING BACKS

The Blue Bombers like to run the football, as evidenced by the 3,774 yards and 54 touchdowns they gained on the ground a year ago, and will be depending on junior Caleb Sagastume and sophomore Cale Young to handle the rushing duties this season.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Junior Alex Keiper and senior Aidan Ortiz will headline the Palmerton receiving unit. Junior Vincent Taglieri, and sophomores Connor Lawless and Jacob Walkowiak will also see time. A year ago, the Bombers posted 19 touchdowns through the air.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Expected to be the strength for the Blue Bombers this season, juniors Logan Anthony (guard) and Beau Stahler (tackle) will anchor the unit in the trenches. Sophomores Mason Konze (tackle), Mason Heilman (center) and Colson Ruzicka (guard) will round out the starting group. Junior Ben Andrews and freshman Wyatt Gable will also see time up front.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Logan Anthony is back to lead this group, which will hope to shut down opponents’ running game as well as put pressure on enemy quarterbacks. The defensive front will also feature Colson Ruzicka, Beau Stahler, Mason Heilman, Mason Konze and Ben Andrews.

LINEBACKERS

Palmerton is strong at the linebacker spot this season. Jameson Trainer (outside) and Aidan Ortiz (inside) are coming off productive seasons. Junor James Mack (inside) also comes in with experience. Caleb Sagastume and Connor Lawless are also expected to see snaps.

SECONDARY

Alex Keiper returns to lead this group for Coach Walkowiak, whose team intercepted 17 passes last season. Cale Young, Jacob Walkowiak and Vincent Taglieri will also see time in the secondary.