Bethlehem Catholic recently held its football program’s combine to culminate the hard work put forth during the winter weight lifting season.

It was also an opportunity to kick start their spring program and showcase players in front of several college coaches on hand.

This was the sixth year that the Hawks have held their combine and this year’s affair had 12 college coaches on hand including the likes of Lafayette, New Hampshire, Bucknell and Buffalo.

For what started as a fundraiser for the program has now turned into the spring’s right of passage and a chance to get the competitive juices flowing.

“It’s become one of the offseason markers for kids to see where their numbers are at,” said head coach Joe Henrich. “It’s also good exposure for our kids because it’s so hard for them to get to all the college camps in the summer. This way you have college coaches here that are looking at specific guys and get the chance to look at some of the younger guys too.”

The afternoon included events that many football fans are aware of if they watch the NFL combine every spring with 40-yard dash, three cone drills, vertical jump and bench press (185 pounds).

Becahi junior running back Tavion Banks was excited to get back outside and showcase his ability, while also competing with his teammates.

“After football season we get about a month off and then get right back into it,” Banks said. “Everyone is competing out here and I want to be the best in everything we do.”

Competing in front of college coaches is another perk of the day, where coaches can see players without pads mesh with their position groups and see how they finish drills.

“A lot of coaches want to see a kid move in person before they actually give offers,” Henrich said. “That has become such a big part in what they do, that it helps solidify how they feel about kids.”

Dalton Daddona was the winner of the linemen group, standing out with 28 reps at 185 pounds in the bench press.

Nicholas Lucien was the winner of the skills group, running a 4.54, 40-yard dash, while Paul Carreras broke the school’s previous points record of 907 points with a 957 point performance.

Kicker Anthony DaSilva also showed off his impressive leg for college scouts by hitting a 50-yard field goal.