Colonial-Schuylkill League football camp report: Palmerton more experienced

Caleb Sagastume ran for 103 yards in Palmertons 2024 season opener against Jim Thorpe.

The junior appeared to be one of those ready to step in to replace a talented graduating class of skill players from the previous season.But Sagastume could be found in street clothes on the sidelines next to coaches and teammates for the last two months of what became a 4-7 season littered with injuries and inexperience.It was just rough seeing people play without you, said Sagastume, who suffered a fractured right foot in a Week 3 loss to Saucon Valley.

Youre missing time that you never get back.Sagastume has experience with injuries.

He missed his entire freshman season, his first in football, with torn meniscus in his right knee.I was just bummed about not being able to play, the senior running back/linebacker said.

I want to have a senior season where I stay healthy and am able to play the entire year with my teammates.Tom Housenick/The Morning CallPalmerton senior Caleb Sagastume is hoping to have an injury-free season at running back and linebacker.

(Tom Housenick/The Morning Call)Sagastume and a slew of players who contributed last season are back to help bring back Palmerton to the successes it enjoyed in the few years prior to 2024.It all starts with maturity.

The commitment and intensity were there in the offseason and have been present so far in the preseason.The one thing I can tell you is that our parking lot is fuller, head coach Chris Walkowiak said of having more players old enough to drive to practices.

We grew up in that aspect.The biggest thing we need to continue working on is consistency and having mental lapses when we get lackadaisical.

But its night and day from where we were at this point last season to now in terms of teaching and the kids absorbing the schemes.Sagastume is at the heart of that learning curve.

He is in camp at a solid 185 pounds ready to help the Blue Bombers offense with his determination and straight-ahead running style.The senior worked hard in the offseason, which included joining the wrestling team to help specifically with his tackling form and efficiency.Hes asking the questions that I hope to hear, college-level questions, Walkowiak said.

They are great football questions.

The biggest thing is that the players are teaching each other.

Its a great thing to see because theyve been around the block.We still only have seven or eight seniors, so were still young in that regard.One thing Sagastume observed last season was the teams struggles to respond to adversity.

A mistake led to another.

A turnover led to another.

An opponents score was met with despair.

It was chalked up to youth and inexperience.That wont be tolerated in 2025.We have to get more in tune with each other, better communication with each other especially on defense, Sagastume said.

We have to make sure, too, that we go 100% on every play.

We sometimes start slow.Three things about the Blue Bombers1.

Opponents big problem: Logan Anthonys future is set.

He is headed to Rutgers, likely in January, to continue his football career and work toward becoming a physical therapist.The 6-foot-3, 315-pound senior is hoping for a few good months with his friends and teammates with whom he has spent years doing everything from playing pick-up basketball to going to the gym.I love being around these guys, Anthony said.

I love being around these coaches.

They are my mentors.

Ive been playing forever.

My dad signed me up when I was 4.

Ive been playing ever since.Anthony has been pancaking foes ever since.

But he developed into a Division I prospect by working on his craft, which includes managing his weight and working on his agility and foot speed.It has made a difference in recent years.Ive been testing my weight to seeing how my body responds, he said.

They say, Well, its only five pounds.

But you can feel it.

Sometimes, its the difference between hitting that linebacker coming downhill and missing him by a foot.I did a lot of camps and still do a lot of agility drills.

Ladder drills, cones, stuff like that.

Its definitely helped me a lot.

I feel like I used to be a lot slower.

When I lost 30 pounds, Ive felt so much faster, so much better.2.

Offensive engineers: Jameson Trainer, who totaled a combined 2,039 yards rushing and passing and 23 touchdowns last year as the Blue Bombers quarterback, will be one of the few positions that needs to be filled.Sophomores T.J.

Weller and T.K.

Gursky are battling for the starting nod.

Walkowiak said its a healthy competition.Jameson did a great job stepping in for [former star] Matt Machalik, the Palmerton coach said.

Who wants to be the guy having to come in after Machalik.Were taking these two young guys now and getting them reps because Jameson took them all last year.

They are doing a good job.

We are just teaching them to manage the game.

No matter who we have at quarterback, and weve had some good ones, thats all we ask of them, manage the game.Whoever gets the starting nod will have experienced skill players and linemen surrounding them, which makes the task feel like less of a burden.Senior Vince Taglieri is one of those returnees who has come a long way during his four seasons.I went from saying his name when he was a freshman 15 times when you dont want to say it to now not even mentioning his name or complementing him 15 times, Walkowiak said.

Thats our complements to Vinnie and him accepting coaching and knowing what was expected of him.

Its him maturing.Taglieri ran for 222 yards and caught 30 passes a year ago for 387 yards and five touchdowns.

Senior Alex Keiper and junior Cale Young are among other skill players expected to contribute again to Palmertons entertaining offensive scheme.But Anthony and fellow lineman Beau Stahler will be as important as any skill player to the teams success.

The two are part of an offensive line that has a wealth of starting experience.

Junior Mason Konze and Cooper Henry are others being counted on in the trenches.3.

Palmertons schedule(at 7 p.m.

unless noted)Saturday, Aug.

16: at Panther Valley (scrimmage)Saturday, Aug.

23: Jim ThorpeSaturday, Aug.

30: at Pen Argyl, 1:30 p.m.Friday.

Sept.

5: Saucon ValleyFriday, Sept.

12: LehightonFriday Sept.

19: at Northern LehighFriday, Sept.

26: WilsonFriday.

Oct.

3: at PalisadesFriday, Oct.

10: at SalisburyFriday, Oct.

17: Notre Dame-GPFriday, Oct.

24: at CatasauquaMorning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at [email protected].

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