Bethlehem Catholic and Stroudsburg both shut out divisional opponents last week in East Penn Conference action and both are now looking to beat each other this week in a highly coveted EPC North Division showdown Friday night in Stroudsburg.

Both teams enter 6-1 overall and 6-0 in league play, making this game paramount in terms of crowning a division champion in three weeks.

The Hawks know the feeling of not earning that title, as the Mounties shocked them last year in Bethlehem 23-19.

The loss ultimately gave the Mounties the division title.

Head coach Joe Henrich knows the importance of this week’s game and remembers the feeling of defeat from a year ago, but isn’t overly worried about the past.

“If our guys need extra motivation for this week, then maybe we need to check their pulse,” Henrich said. “We’re certainly looking forward to this game, but we’re approaching the end of the year and every game is big from here on out.”

The reality is, both teams haven’t had many big games since week one, so this week’s affair will be far from the 46-0 win Becahi registered over Pocono Mountain East last week. Stroudsburg is in the same boat after topping Allen 47-0 last weekend.

Neither team has faced an opponent over .500 since week two, so this week’s matchup should be a game where both coaches will be able to keep their entire first team on the field for four quarters.

While Stroudsburg may have lost key players to graduation, Henrich sees a similar team on film from the one that upended the Hawks last season.

“They have some big guys up front and play physical defense,” Henrich said. “They’re not very complicated on offense, but they have a dynamic running back and their quarterback can make some big throws.”

Jake Jakobsen leads the Mounties offense under center and has weapons all around him, including wide receivers Marcello Riccardi (6-foot, 175), Travis Hines (6-foot, 170) and running back Jamal Brome (5-6, 160).

“They make a living with big plays off play-action,” said Henrich of Stroudsburg’s ability to score quickly. “They look for the big strike in the passing game. I think we have the talent in the secondary to matchup with them, but we have to play disciplined.”

A win over Stroudsburg would also help the Hawks chances of solidifying a postseason berth in the District 11 3A playoffs.

Currently, the Hawks are in third place, with Lehighton (7-0) and Saucon Valley (7-0) ahead of them.

Central Catholic’s loss to Nazareth last week bumped the Vikings out of the top four, but everyone knows a week 10 Catholic school showdown between both schools could have major ramifications on the playoff picture.

“We sit in good shape right now and by no means is this week a must win or the world is over scenario,” said Henrich, “but we want to be hitting our stride at this point of the year. It’s important that we start putting together our better games now.”