Bethlehem Catholic looked like a team ready to challenge for the East Penn Conference title last week, following their 41-7 victory over Liberty Friday night.

Sparked by their electric offense, the Hawks outgained Liberty 495-to-142 with a barrage of big plays and a sterling performance by Hawks’ quarterback Javon Clements.

Clements finished the night 13-of-18 for 372 yards and three touchdowns, as Becahi (5-0) jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and never looked back against a Liberty (1-4) team that has lost four straight and was without starting quarterback Todd Erney due to a shoulder injury.

“We thought they were going to pack the box with a five man front and we also knew they were going to double team DaDa [Daizhun Rhodes] and they did,” said Hawks’ head coach Joe Henrich. “We were able to take the top off the defense and make some things happen.”

The Hawks found wide open gaps in the middle of the field on their first two scores, as Clements hit Tavion Banks for a 42-yard TD score over the middle, followed by a 76-yard TD strike to Rhodes in the first quarter.

Tristan Reinert filled in for Erney under center for the Hurricanes and saw his night turn sour quickly when Owen Daddona ripped a pass out of the grasp of Blake Nevitt for a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:51 left in the first quarter to put Becahi ahead 21-0 off the jump.

Without Erney in the game, Liberty leaned on running back Nasir Legree, who carried 25 times for 109 yards, as well as 40 yards through the air, but after falling behind by three scores in the first quarter, the game was clearly in the hands of the Hawks.

“I knew without Erney they [Liberty] were going to try and run the ball,” Henrich said. “We knew they were going to try and live on some play action passes and stuff like that.”

The Hawks continued their onslaught in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 52-yards TD pass to Shamus Williams, only to have Liberty’s Jaden Vasquez return the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a score.

Banks finished off the night with a pair of touchdown runs (21 and 5 yards) to cap off the scoring, as he recorded three TD’s on the night. The Hawks only ran for 111 yards, but saw the big totals in the air, with Rhodes leading the way with three catches for 182 yards and a score.

After taking care of East Stroudsburg South in their opener, the Hurricanes have been limited to seven points in three of their last four contests.

With Dieruff (1-4) and Northampton (2-3) on tap over the next two weeks, Liberty will have a chance to turn their season around heading into the home stretch.

For Becahi, their second half of the season will be a tough road, starting with this Saturday’s home game against Easton (4-1). The Hawks finish the regular season with Parkland (5-0), Whitehall (4-1), Freedom (3-2) and Central Catholic (3-2).

“I think we’re showing signs of being a really good football team,” Henrich said. “We try to enjoy the journey and not look ahead. These kids have responded and been doing things really well.”