PALMERTON – Matthew Machalik and Ty Sander combined for 361 yards rushing to lead the Blue Bombers to a 41-26 win Friday night. With the win, Palmerton stays unbeaten at 5-0 this season.
“We came out and wanted to establish the line on both sides of the ball and I think we did a very good job doing that tonight,” said Palmerton Head Coach Chris Walkowiak. “They are a veteran group and played well tonight.”
Palmerton struck first and never trailed in the game. Machalik scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak while eating up a lot of the clock on the 14-play, 80-yard drive. Jacob Walkowiak’s kick put the Blue Bombers up 7-0.
Notre Dame Green Pond tied the game up at 7 with 36 seconds left in the first quarter. The Crusaders were facing a fourth down and six when quarterback Danny Darno found Julian Baker in the back of the end zone for the 16-yard touchdown pass.
The Blue Bombers answered right back with a seven-play, 68-yard drive. Sanders finished the drive going right up the middle from four yards out. He wasn’t done yet. Sanders added his second rushing touchdown of the first half. This time for a six-yard run.
The play of the night came right before halftime. Setting up the play, Sanders intercepted a Darno pass and returned it to the Notre Dame 42.
With 33 seconds left in the half, Palmerton went into their bag of tricks. Machalik took the snap and tossed it to Sanders who threw it back to a wide-open Machalik who made a one-handed catch for the 11-yard touchdown pass and a commanding 28-7 lead heading into halftime.
“I thought defensively it was huge to hold Notre Dame to seven points the first half,” said Walkowiak. “Ty Sanders’ interception was a big play right before half and punching in the late touchdown.”
In the third quarter, the Crusaders cut the lead to 14 with 7:45 left in the quarter. Darno was under pressure most of the night and as he was getting hit he threw a perfect pass to A.J. Lozano for a 44-yard touchdown pass.
“Bryce Marino and Emilio Gonzalez at the end applied a lot of pressure on Darno tonight,” said Walkowiak. “That was the game plan going in to make him uncomfortable in the pocket.”
Again, the Blue Bombers responded. With 3:06 left in the quarter, Machalik burst through the line, hit another gear and went 43 yards down the sideline. It was 35-14 Palmerton. Machalik finished the night rushing for 236 yards.
“He is our leader and wants the ball in pressure situations,” said Walkowiak. “He is a special kid and one of the best in the state.”
It was back and forth in the end. Darno rushed for a touchdown and hit Lozano for one more. Sanders got his third rushing touchdown and the Blue Bombers stayed perfect at 5-0 with the win.
Sanders finished the night rushing for three touchdowns, intercepted a pass, and threw a touchdown.
“Ty is one of those gritty kids who loves playing defense and hitting,” said Walkowiak. “On offense, he loves to run north and south and pound it between the tackles.”
PALMERTON NOTES: 1st time beating Notre Dame Green Pond in nine years (2014) when they won 47-8. In the game, Machalik went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark. It was the third time in his career to do that.
Up Next: Palmerton is home against Pine Grove Area next Friday night.
NOTRE DAME GREEN POND NOTES: Danny Darno passed for 190 yards and three touchdowns and added 75 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Up Next: Notre Dame Green Pond hits the road to North Schuylkill next Friday night.
Palmerton 41, Notre Dame-GP 26
| Final | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Notre Dame GP | 7 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 26 |
| Palmerton Area | 7 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 41 |
1st Quarter
P: Matthew Machalik 1 yard run (Jacob Walkowiak kick) 4:25
NDGP: Danny Darno 16-yard pass to Julian Baker (Mark Talpas kick) 0:36
2nd Quarter
P: Ty Sander 4-yard run (Jacob Walkowiak kick) 9:38
P: Ty Sander 6-yard run (Jacob Walkowiak kick) 2:36
P: Ty Sander 11-yard pass to Matthew Machalik (Jacob Walkowiak kick) 0:33
3rd Quarter
NDGP: Danny Darno 44 yard pass to A.J. Lozano (Mark Talpas kick) 7:45
P: Machalik 43 yard run (Jacob Walkowiak kick) 3:06
NDGP: Danny Darno 7-yard run (kick failed) 1:54
4th Quarter
P: Ty Sander 1-yard run (kick failed) 5:49
NDGP: Danny Darno 19-yard pass to A.J. Lozano (kick failed) 4:30
