The mission was clear.

And Friday night, it became a reality.

Having already been eliminated from the playoffs, Palmerton’s goal all week was to finish the season on a winning note and send out its seniors in style.

One of those seniors played a big role in making that happen, while some underclassmen also stepped up to give the Blue Bombers a 28-13 win over Catasauqua in their season finale.

“We just wanted to finish with a win and finish on top,” said Palmerton senior quarterback Jameson Trainer, who ran for 199 yards and threw for 51 more in his final high school contest. “I definitely think it was the last game, and we all wanted to finish with a good win.”

Trainer was just one of three Bomber 12th graders on the field against the Rough Riders, the others being Aidan Ortiz and Trevor Anthony.

“I’m excited to get these seniors a win,” said head coach Chris Walkowiak. “Trevor Anthony joined us this year and has been a great addition. The other two guys (Trainer and Ortiz) were four-year players. You don’t know how much they mean to me and the program, or what they did, or the courage and determination they showed.

“That’s what Palmerton football is all about, and I’m proud of them. Our goal all week was for everyone to come together and get a victory.

The win wasn’t easy and didn’t come until late, when junior Logan Anthony made a crucial defensive play.

With the Bombers leading 21-13 and heading for another score, a fumble ended their drive at the 5-yard line with six minutes remaining in regulation. Catasauqua took over and drove 38 yards in five plays and seemed to have momentum on their side.

But then the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Anthony stepped in front of a Jordan Bradshaw pass and intercepted it to give the Bombers another chance to score.

This time they converted when Vincent Taglieri raced 19 yards for his third touchdown of the game and virtually sealed the game with three minutes remaining.

“Most definitely (it’s a defensive lineman’s dream),” Anthony said. “I came off the edge without getting blocked because I think the tackle is broadcast on the screens, and I just saw the quarterback looking at me and I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s my shot .’

“Every ride, my mentality is you have to do your job. It was definitely a big boost for them (getting the fumble), but I just felt like I had to go out there and do my job. Every play I want to get a sack or a TFL (tackle for loss). It was just a big change in dynamic. It was important to us.

Taglieri also played a big role for Palmerton in his first start at running back.

The junior completed a 46-yard screen pass for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage after the Roughies posted the first score midway through the second quarter.

“They put us on a tricky play (on their first score),” Walkowiak said. “We made a screen call on our next play and executed it the right way. This gave the momentum back in our favor and was certainly an important element in the grand scheme of the evening.

“I’m really proud of (Taglieri). We had to put him at running back and he didn’t play there all year. Man, I really can’t wait to see what he can do. He ran hard, he has speed and credit to the offensive line: They did a great job opening holes as well.

After Catty regained the lead late in the second quarter, Palmerton responded again.

The line opened up holes for Trainer, who picked up all 70 yards of the drive on six carries – the last from 16 yards – to give the home team a 14-13 halftime lead.

“Matt Maholick was obviously a premier quarterback and athlete, and someone had the inevitable task of having to follow him,” Walkowiak said. “And Jameson has done a great job of leadership. I told him as he left the field that his legacy was that someone had to step up and do the job, and I thought he was the perfect person.

The Bombers increased their lead in the second half after Alex Keiper took a pass and returned it deep into Catty territory. Taglieri reached the end zone on a 7-yard run to make the score 21-13.

The defense did the rest, shutting out the Roughies in the final two periods.

“I feel like our defensive line was huge tonight,” Anthony said. “We didn’t lose the ball too much. Thanks to our secondary because they played hard tonight. We didn’t have a lot of missed coverages or big plays against us, so that was huge.

END OF THE LINE…Palmerton finished its season with a 3-7 record after starting the season 0-5. Catasauqua, which needed a win to advance to districts, also finished 3-7.

KEY INJURY…Rough Riders starting quarterback Aiden Reilly left the game with an injury in the second half after throwing for 152 yards and two touchdowns. His replacement, Bradshaw, ran for 99 yards.

Palmerton 28, Catasauqua 13

Catasauqua 0 13 0 0 – 13

Palmerton 0 14 7 7 – 28

C – Pacheco 46 pass from Reilly (kick from Cordon Pinto)

P – Taglieri 46 pass from the coach (kick from T. Anthony)

C – Lafond 21 pass from Reilly (blocked kick)

P – Trainer Run 16 (T. Anthony kick)

P – Taglieri 7 run (kick from T. Anthony)

P – Taglieri run 19 (T. Anthony kick)