The Zephyrs returned to a familiar sideline, having been at Frank Banko Field two weeks ago to play Freedom, but last week’s trip to the Christmas City didn’t produce the same results against grinchy Bethlehem Catholic.

The Golden Hawks struck for big plays throughout the game as they scored on three plays that covered 60 yards or more. Of those three, Daizhun Rhodes 66-yard TD run on their opening drive of the second half was probably the most damaging in sealing Whitehall’s fate.

That score came after they forced Whitehall to punt to begin the third quarter, sacking Ethan Parvel for an 11-yard loss. After taking over at their own 34-yard-line, Rhodes took the handoff on their first play from scrimmage and bolted 66-yards for the TD which made it 35-7.

The Zephyrs would find the end zone one more time as Dez Boykin ripped off a 70-yard run, but the Hawks scored the final two TDs later in that same third quarter to win 56-14.

The loss drops Whitehall to 5-3 as they prepare to host Stroudsburg this week.

The first of Bethlehem Catholic’s big plays came on the opening kickoff as Rhodes returned the ball to the Zephyr 35-yard-line. Golden Hawk quarterback Javon Clements drove them further down the field, completing two passes before handing off to Matt Bisko who went into the end zone untouched.

Bisko and Rhodes combined for 183 yards on the ground, while Clements went 7-of-12 for 184 yards, including two TDs. That trio had a hand in all seven of their touchdowns, with Clements connecting with Shamus Williams for an 80-yard score.

Head coach Brian Gilbert was blunt in his assessment of their performance.

“We didn’t bring it,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert also said that there were break downs in assignments, both offensively and defensively, throughout the game.

He said that the Hawks physicality also played a big factor.

“They were more aggressive from the first snap,” said Gilbert. “We can’t pick and choose when we want to be aggressive. You have to be aggressive every play in this league, and you can’t takes plays off or you’re going to give up big plays.”

Even with the Hawks hitting the scoreboard first, Whitehall managed to put together a long scoring drive on their second possession of the game. After forcing Bethlehem Catholic into a three-and-out, the Zephs put together an eight-play drive that was aided by some clutch third down plays by Parvel and Boykin. The pair connected twice during that drive, the final time wound up as a 9-yard TD toss to knot the score 7-7.

But the Hawks would score the next five touchdowns, rolling up 488 total yards in the game. Whitehall finished with 241 total yards, with Boykin providing a large chunk of their yards. The senior had 81 yards on the ground and also caught four balls for 37 yards.

Field position was another obstacle they had to overcome as kicker Anthony DaSilva consistently drove the ball into the end zone for a touchback. The majority of their drives began at their own 20-yard-line, and that was compounded when the Golden Hawks got pressure on Parvel when he dropped back to pass, recording six sacks during the game. The Hawks defense forced the Zephyrs to play behind the sticks for a number of their possessions, resulting in 43 yards as a result of tackles for losses.

Bethlehem Catholic leveraged that good field position into points, never mounting any sustained drives, instead getting to pay dirt via the big play.

The Zephs will look to regroup as their final two games are at Zephyr Stadium to close out the 2017 regular season.