Back-up? Naah! Second-stringer? Nope. Reserve? Not quite.

How about ‘patient star in waiting’? Perfect.

On Friday night at Elco Stadium, Tyler Gallagher got an opportunity to showcase what he can do at the quarterback position for the Palmyra football squad. And he made the absolute most of the opportunity.

Subbing for injured starter Michael Lewis, Gallagher shredded the Elco defense during the Cougars’ 41-30 non-league triumph over the Raiders. Gallagher completed 12 of 20 pass attempts for 236 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

After the Raiders had grabbed an early 7-0 lead, Gallagher hit standout senior teammate Mitchell Cooper for a pair of touchdowns to help Palmyra forge a 21-21 halftime tie. Then in the fourth quarter, Gallagher found Peter Robertson for a 24-yard touchdown toss at the end of a ten-play, 89-yard drive that gave the Cougars their first lead of the evening, 28-24.

Gallagher closed out his night – and for all intents and purposes the Raiders – with 6:32 remaining, when he collaborated with Carl Reigle on a 64-yard middle screen that upped Palmyra’s lead to 34-24.

– Jeff Falk