Becahi blanks Blue Mountain
After humbling losses to Freedom and Allentown Central Catholic in his team’s previous twogames, Bethlehem Catholic football coach Joe Hen rich wasn’ t going to complain Saturday afternoon.
His Golden Hawks defeated Blue Mountain for the third straight year in the District 11 Class 4 A quarter finals, this time by a 17-0 margin, and while the outcome could have been much more lopsided, Henrich was content.
“Wins are hard to come by, especially onthe heels of two tough losses,” Henrich said. “It’s not an easy thing to have that mindset to come back out on the other side. So, I was happy with the win and happy with the way we started and not happy how we tailed off. But you take the win.”
Becahi(4-3) was out scored 80-3 inits last two games, but scored on its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead. However, the No. 4 seed was limited to an Anthony Barczyn ski field goal the rest of the way.
The Golden Hawks went 80 yards on eight plays on their first possession, scoring on a 27-yard run by sophomore quarterback Luke Thomas.
After a 29- yard punt return by R ah mel Terry set them up at the Blue Mountain 35, it took just six plays for Becahi to score on their second drive. This time Thomas fired an 8-yard TD pass to Eric Wert with1:25 left in the first quarter
But after gaining 135 yards on their first two possessions, the Golden Hawks managed just 39 over the game’s last 37 minutes.
Be ca hi began its first possession of the second half at the Blue Mountain 15 and settled for the Barczynski field goal. Thenafter a long fumble return by Terry setup the Golden Hawk sat the Eagles ’10, Be ca hi went nowhere on three plays to set upfor another field goal.
But a bad snap was followed by an Ian Kish scramble that came up a yard shy of the goal line.
Those missed chances didn’t matter thanks to a stout defensive effort that was reminiscent of the team’s last win — a 7-0shutout of Easton on Oct. 17.
The Eagles (4-5) managed just 131 yards on offense. The Golden Hawks registered eight tackles for loss, including four quarterback sacks.
Senior linebacker Christian Shelton was involved in several stops in the Blue Mountain backfield.
“Coming off a loss, we were pumped ,” Shelton said .“We had a lot of energy and a lot of guys finding the ball. Wejust wanted it more.”
Shelton said the team has faith in Thomas, who had to go in as junior Jared Richardson’s replacement after Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against FreedomonOct. 24.
“He’ s a heck of a kid ,” Shelton said of Thomas.
“It’s unfortunate Jared Richardson is out for the season, but Luke is stepping up and doing his thing.”
Thomas completed his first five passes and finished a modest 7-for-10 for 41 yards. He also ran nine times for 49 yards.
“It was a sad week [after the 35-3 loss to Central Catholic] and we just came out strong and believed we could put it to this team,” Thomas said. “I couldn’t do it without my coaches, my family, my brothers over here, my line especially. They’ re making me comfortable in practice rep ping things. A lot of people influenced me this week .”
Thomas, Shelton and everyone from Becahi is looking forward to another shot at the rival Vikings, who had the weekend off after two schools opted out of the 4 A tournament due to COVID-19 issues.
Thomas said he’ll be more prepared.
“You have to keep your mental focus,” Thomas said. “I wasn’t mentally prepared and you have to be at this position. I’ve studied my plays and feel more prepared.”
That preparation will intensify in the week ahead.
“We’ve got to come out strong in that game and hope everything goes well,” Thomas said of the contest likely to be scheduled for Friday night at J. Birney Crum Stadium.