Competitive challenges

No one is more motivated to see Catasauqua succeed than Brett. The 1993 grad who played for Ed Csencsits has seen the proud program struggle mightily the previous six seasons.

The Rough Riders are coming off a 0-11 season and are 10-56 since winning a District 11 Class 2A title in coach Tom Falzone’s last season in 2013.

“I’ve been around forever,” Brett said. “To see things go downhill the last few years, the Catty kids are losing that sense of pride, not knowing what it means to be a Rough Rider.

“It needs to be taught to them.”

As is often the case, new coaches inherit struggling programs.

Pen Argyl was 21-42 in the six years since Mutton graduated. Pocono Mountain East reached the District 11 playoffs in 2018 for the first time in 30 years (dating to before the split).

Sams is in the best situation at Southern Lehigh. While Mutton, Burns and Brett are rookie head coaches, he was 27-10 in three seasons replacing highly successful Matt Evancho at Saucon Valley.

He also was on the Southern Lehigh varsity staff last season and inherits a program that is a model of consistency. The Spartans were 108-54 in previous head coach John Toman’s 14-year tenure and are coming off a 12-2 season in which they won their first District 11 title.

The new head coaches are making no promises but offering no excuses.

“I don’t know what to expect right now,” Mutton said. “I think we can have a very positive season.

“I know the kids don’t want to go 4-6 again.”

Salisbury and Pen Argyl before playing Schuylkill League teams in six of the next seven weeks.

Southern Lehigh opens with nonleague neighbor Quakertown, then has four Colonial League squads before finishing up with three of the last four against SL teams.

Pen Argyl has three Colonial League teams to start before three in a row against Schuylkill League foes.

“We’re trying now to get film on [Schuylkill League teams],” Brett said.