The Palmerton Area High School football team has many new faces in 2023 after a special 12-1 season.
But in the offensive line, the Blue Bombers have two regular players, juniors Logan Anthony and Beau Stahler, who have been in the starting lineup for three years.
“The offensive line is definitely one of our strengths,” Palmerton coach Chris Walkowiak said. “Led by Logan Anthony, a Division I prospect with two offers, and Beau Stahler. Both have been three-year starters. Mason Konze, Mason Heilman and Colson Ruzicka are sophomores, big guys. They played in the Northwestern playoff game and the North Schuylkill playoff game. So they had their baptism of fire last year.”
“Five of those guys are back and I think ask any coach in any league, if you have linemen back, you’ll be happy. We’re going to rely on them from the start,” the Blue Bombers coach continued.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Anthony, who plays right guard and defensive lineman, has offers from Temple University and Kent State University. He recorded 59 tackles and four sacks on defense last season.
“I think we’re looking really good,” Anthony said. “All the young players are learning quickly. We’ve got a lot of key returnees. We’re really meshing well right now. So training is looking good. I think we’re going to do well this year.”
Anthony and the 6’2″ and 220lb right tackle Stahler have developed a good bond while playing together over the past few years.
“Playing on the same side definitely helps,” Anthony said. “We always ask each other for help when we forget our assignments, which doesn’t happen too often. Beau and I have a special chemistry because we play other sports together, so we know each other really well.”
Palmerton is known
For the Blue Bombers, the offensive line is at the top of that list.
The front line, reinforced by a pair of three-year starters and five players with college experience, will need to be strong to make room for the running backs who see limited action at the college level.
Junior Caleb Sagastume is expected to be a frequent running back after rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Sophomore Cale Young is new to the program and is expected to make some appearances for Palmerton as well.
On defense, the Blue Bombers can rely on senior Jameson Trainer, junior Alex Keiper and senior Aidan Ortiz, who return in the secondary.
Coach recorded 60 tackles, two interceptions and a sack last season. Keiper had 27 tackles and two interceptions for the Blue Bombers in 2023. Ortiz recorded 39 tackles and an interception last year.
“What I like about our defense is that we’re tenacious,” Walkowiak said. “I think we’re quick on the ball. We’re getting better at reading our keys. As long as we listen to what we’re saying here and do our job, I think we could be pretty good.”
Palmerton’s unknown
The Blue Bombers have a huge void to fill at the quarterback position as Matthew Machalik graduated after becoming the first player in Pennsylvania high school football history to throw for 5,000 yards and rush for 5,000 yards in his career. Machalik is currently at Lehigh University.
Coach will step in as quarterback and try to fill the huge gap left by Machalik.
The new signal caller played wide receiver last year and caught 11 passes for 139 yards and four touchdowns.
“I’m following in big shoes,” said Coach. “As a receiver, I always paid attention to what Matt Machalik said and did. I just imitated what he did. That’s what we’re trying to do this year.”
“Jameson is a great athlete,” Walkowiak said. “He played a lot of different positions last year. We’re asking him to take over the quarterback position and manage the game. I don’t care who we had here. We had great quarterbacks, we had Machalik, (Garrett) Perschy, (Tekoah) Guedes. I always told them one thing: Manage the game. That message will apply to Jameson as well: Manage the game.”
Quotable: Coach Chris Walkowiak
(on the departure of a strong graduating class)
“We came into this year and everyone says you’re down, you lost this class. We lost a great class, but that happens every year. You graduate and people move on. Our expectations and the expectations of the program and the culture of the program, we expect to be at a certain level. We haven’t used the word ‘rebuild’ once this year. We have to show up and play football. And here are the cards we’ve been dealt and who’s going to step up and play. Based on last year and the example they left us and the foundation they gave us of a good attitude, what a winning attitude looks like and a selfless attitude, we’re going to keep all of those core values and move forward with that.”
Quote: Sr. QB/LB Jameson Coach
(in defense of the team)
“I think our defense is fast. We have a lot of talented players. If we just play the way we can, I think we’ll start to get better.”
Returning starters
Jr. G/DL Logan Anthony, Jr. OT/DL Beau Stahler, Sr. QB/LB Jameson Trainer, Jr. DB Alex Keiper.
Important returnees
Sr. WR/DB Aidan Ortiz, Jr. LB James Mack, So. OL/DL Mason Konze, So. OL/DL Mason Heilman.
Top newcomers
Sr. K Trevor Anthony, Jr. RB/DB Caleb Sagastume, Jr. WR/DB Vincent Taglieri, So. RB/WR/DB Cale Young, So. WR/DB Connor Lawless, So. WR/LB Jake Walkowiak, So. OL/DL Colson Ruzicka, So. WR/DB Chris Collier, So. K Hunter Sell, Ms. QB/DB TK Gursky, Ms. RB/LB Mike Garey, Ms. OL/DL Wyatt Gable.
Palmerton Basics
League: Colonial/Schuylkill, White Division.
Class: 3A.
Trainer: Chris Walkowiak (14th season, 69-71).
Record 2023: 12-1.
2022: 7-5.
2021: 9-3.
2020: 3-5.
2019: 3-7.
Your home: Palmerton Area High School.
Palmerton’s schedule for 2024
Thank you for relying on us to provide you with trustworthy journalism. Please support us www.lehighvalleylive.com with a subscription.
You can reach Josh Folck at [email protected].
