Bethlehem Catholic is feeling good about themselves following last week’s 28-7 road victory at Easton, but the Golden Hawks will face their stiffest test in weeks with their marquee showdown at home against Emmaus this Saturday night.

The Hawks (6-2) are winners of three straight and last week’s win was spurred by the rushing tandem of Zaheer Seabrooks and Tavion Banks, who both have carved out themselves as a legitimate duo as the two best backs in the league, as Seabrooks ran for 159 yards and a score last week, while Banks rushed for 140 yards and two TD’s, as the Hawks broke open a 7-7 halftime score against the Rovers (5-3) with 21 unanswered points in the second half.

Emmaus (7-1) suffered their first loss of the season at home last week against Freedom, falling 32-31 in overtime after blowing a 24-9 lead with 3:39 left in the fourth quarter, leaving them stunned as Freedom (8-0) won on a converted two-point conversion to continue their magical season.

But Hawks head coach Joe Henrich knows that this week’s affair with the Green Hornets will be one of their most difficult of the season.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for us,” said Henrich. “What separates teams in this league isn’t a whole lot. We feel that even though we lost to Freedom, we’re right up there with the best teams in the league. This week is an opportunity for us to show that.”

After holding Easton to 15 yards rushing last week and under 200 yards total, the Hawks defense now gets to take on arguably the best quarterback in the league in Emmaus senior Ethan Parvel and a dynamic running back in Lubens Myers.

Parvel threw for 269 yards and a touchdown last week, while Myers ran for 148 yards and two scores on a night where Emmaus racked up over 500 yards on the Freedom defense.

“Their skill position players are as good as anyone in the league,” said Henrich of Emmaus. “We’re expecting a physical football game, but we need to contain Parvel. He can really make plays with his legs.”

Hawks’ QB Zamar Brake may be the X-factor in Saturday’s affair, as Emmaus is likely to try to slow down Becahi’s rushing attack.

Brake went 6-of-14 for 121 yards and a touchdown last week, but he also threw two interceptions. Emmaus had their own share of mistakes against the Patriots, committing 18 penalties for 162 yards and committing two turnovers.

“I know they’ve given up points this year, but they held Freedom to nine points with three minutes left last week,” said Henrich of Emmaus. “They’re getting better on that side of the ball and they’re really dangerous on offense. I feel good about how we’re playing right now as a team, but we’re going to need a complete effort to beat them this week.”