Bobby Smith summed up Friday night’s showdown with visiting Northern Lehigh with the same message he’s giving his Palisades Pirates.
“This game is not just Xs and Os,” he said. “It’s about who wants it more. It’s about the will power of both teams.”
If Smith were talking about this game the previous two seasons, Northern Lehigh would win that battle of wills.
But this year’s Palisades team has taken on the character of past Pirates teams, ones that displayed as much heart and desire as talent. It has shown in the first three games, all victories.
It was evident in the first 15 seconds of last Friday’s game at Catasauqua. Rough Riders standout Manny Bolmer tested the Pirates’ grit by returning the game’s opening kickoff for a touchdown.
“The last two years,” Smith said, “we would have hung our heads a little bit and not played with the same intensity. This time, we came back and did what we had to do.”
Palisades recovered to score six of the game’s seven remaining touchdowns.
The Pirates’ early-season success can be attributed to their work in the weight room and on the practice field ahead of this season. There was a re-commitment to the program, to the sport. It has mattered in all three games so far.
Max Woerner is an example of that toughness and determination. He leads the Pirates with 34 tackles and 262 rushing yards. The senior was asked to step in for tailback Ashton Fitzgerald, who has played just one game because of an injury.
“Max’s tenacity and physicality are off the charts,” Smith said. “He loves playing defense. He doesn’t say much but plays at a high level. That’s the whole team. They are really buying in.”
Many of this year’s contributors have been playing for three years. It took time for them to grow up and understand what it takes to be successful.
Jack Trickel completed 42 of 65 passes for 581 yards and five touchdowns in the first three games. He’s also rushed for 122 yards and two TDs. Lincoln Cook has 21 catches for 369 yards and three scores.
Chase Smith and Silas Day are other prominent contributors on defense with a combined 40 tackles.
“It’s just the maturity of them,” Smith said. “Their knowledge of the game has definitely improved. Their intensity of play has definitely improved. These guys are sick of losing. They know they have to work hard to play well.
“The kids are starting to see the hard work paying off.”
Friday’s game is a pivotal one in the District 11 Class 2A playoff race. Palisades (3-0) and Northern Lehigh (2-1) are first and second in the standings with unbeatens Williams Valley, Schuylkill Haven and Minersville right behind the local duo.
Top eight make the postseason. Minersville plays Williams Valley and Schuylkill Haven in Weeks 4 and 5. Williams Valley hosts Schuylkill Haven in Week 6 in a rematch of last year’s district final.
“Class 2A teams are getting better and better,” Smith said. “We have to be on top of our game.”
Colonial-Schuylkill League football top 10
Ranking. Team (2025 record; last week): Of note
1. Northwestern Lehigh (3-0; 1): Will face its toughest test to date when Blue Mountain comes to New Tripoli
2. Southern Lehigh (3-0; 2): Escaped Lehighton last Friday thanks to a defensive stop on a two-point conversion late in fourth quarter
3. Notre Dame-GP (3-0; 4): Defense again was the reason for victory with a stuffed two-point conversion run in the game’s final minutes against North Schuylkill
4. North Schuylkill (2-1; 3): Lost leading receiver Landen Smith to injury in the first half against Notre Dame-GP
5. Williams Valley (3-0; 5): Have outscored first three foes 145-0; allowed five yards total vs. Nativity BVM
6. Schuylkill Haven (3-0; 6): Seven players scored offensive TDs vs. Shenandoah Valley
7. Palisades (3-0; 8): Jack Trickel threw for a career-high 361 yards and 4 TDs in win over Catasauqua
8. Northern Lehigh (2-1; 9): Rebounded from early deficit to exact revenge on Pen Argyl
9. Blue Mountain (1-2; HM): Eagles are better than their record. They are a playoff contender.
10. Minersville (3-0; HM): Battlin’ Miners find out who they are next three weeks vs. Williams Valley, Schuylkill Haven and Marian Catholic
Dropped out: 7. Pottsville (1-2); 10. Catasauqua (2-1)
Others to watch (listed alphabetically): Jim Thorpe (1-2); Lehighton (1-2); Marian Catholic (3-0); Nativity BVM (2-1); Palmerton (1-2); Pen Argyl (2-1); Salisbury (2-1); Tri-Valley (2-1)
Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
