Joe Henrich made things very clear for his football team as they huddled following last week's 48-27 defeat at Whitehall.

A week after storming back to knock off Liberty, Becahi couldn't defend in the first half, missed opportunities in the second half to grab momentum and ultimately lost to a Zephyr team that took care of business in all facets of the game.

The loss dropped the Hawks to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the LVC, while Whitehall (5-1, 4-1) continued their impressive start to the season, by opening up a 27-20 halftime lead en route to victory.

As the Hawks gathered postgame, a dose of humble pie was served for a program that is getting back to its traditional winning ways.

"We've been able to win some games with far too many mistakes and this a great group of guys, but we've struggled with paying attention to detail," said Henrich. "Whitehall's a well-coached and disciplined team and we gave them 15-yard penalties that set them up in good positions.

"This was a very big game for our kids and I was a little disappointed with how we played."

Both teams exchanged punches in the first half, as each team scored a touchdown on all their possessions.

Whitehall got the last blow before halftime as Saquon Barkley hurdled into the end zone as time expired from a yard out to give Whitehall a touchdown lead they would never relinquish.

The Zephyrs built the lead to 34-20 following a blocked punt by Jarred Mittl, which was picked up by Mustafa Mitchell and returned 20 yards for a touchdown.

The play took the air out of Becahi's sails, as just before the punt, quarterback Julian Spigner missed a wide open Chris Figler down the sideline for an easy touchdown throw that was rushed because of pressure from the Zephyr defense.

After watching Becahi score on every drive in the first half, Whitehall blitzed the Hawks on every second half possession, stifling their offensive flow.

Spigner finished 11-of-20 for 198 yards and a touchdown, with most of his damage done in the first half.

A week after rushing for four touchdowns in the win over Liberty, running back Michael McDaniel was pedestrian, rushing for 49 yards and a score.

Figler, was Becahi's most dangerous threat on the field, as he caught seven balls for 146 yards and a touchdown.

The Hawks were without talented receiver Freddie Simmons, who was suspended because of getting thrown out of the Liberty contest.

"By no means is it the end of the world, but I hope that it helps us learn a little bit about what it means to have success and people take you seriously and people come for you," Henrich said. "I feel like we match up with Whitehall man-to-man and we have enough to win a football game like that, but the difference is they've [Whitehall] been here and done this and we haven't. It's all part of the learning experience to be in big games."

The Hawks now have to regroup at home against Nazareth (3-3) Saturday night.

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Liberty used a 21-point second half to open up a 14-7 halftime lead to roll their way over Central Catholic last week 35-14.

Ryan Lawrence scored three touchdowns in the game to lead the 'Canes (3-3) into a crucial matchup against Emmaus (4-2) this week with the loser likely to be eliminated from subregional playoff contention.

Freedom (1-5) continued a their difficult season, falling to Easton 34-13 last week.

Things only get tougher this week when they take on the area's top ranked team in Parkland (5-1).