If Joe Henrich was looking for his team to respond after a loss, Bethlehem Catholic certainly answered the bell last week against Whitehall.

The Hawks dominated the Zephyrs in a 56-14 mercy-rule victory, as running back Matt Bisko produced four touchdowns on the night to lead the offense, while the defense produced eight sacks in harassing Whitehall quarterback Ethan Parvel.

Becahi’s defensive line smothered Parvel’s pocket on the night, limiting him to completing 6-of-15 passes for 76 yards and a TD. He was also nullified on the ground, rushing for only seven yards.

That was a stark contrast to his 199 yards passing and four TD’s the week before against Freedom, where he also ran for 181 yards.

“We regrouped after last week and played an emotionally inspired game we’ve been known to play in the past,” said Henrich as his team improved to 7-1. “We had our best two practices of the week coming in and we played our best game of the year coming after a loss. We just needed to keep Whitehall in front of us and make them earn everything and on offense we just wanted to control the ball.”

After the contest was tied at 7-7 in the first quarter, a one-yard TD by Bisko started a string of seven straight possessions that resulted in Hawk TD’s.

Bisko finished the night with 103 yards rushing, while quarterback Javon Clements was 7-of-12 for 164 yards and two scores, connecting with Shamus Williams on an 80-yard TD pass in the second quarter and a 27-yard TD throw to Daizhun Rhodes in the third. Rhodes also busted a 66-yard TD run to open the third quarter. Those touchdowns put Becahi up 42-7 and to ensure the rout was on.

After falling to Parkland 38-24 last week, the Whitehall contest was an opportunity for the team to respond.

“This was a gut check to see what we were capable of doing,” Henrich said. “We were humbled a little bit and they answered the bell and now we want to keep that going.”

Now Becahi has the task of squaring off against Freedom (4-4) this week with the city championship on the line.

The Pates lost to Nazareth 35-32 last week and are in a battle for clinching a District 11 6A playoff berth.

The Hawks have already secured the top spot in the 4A playoffs, but want the city title too.