In high school football, there are a few laws of the jungle.

When a starting pitcher doesn’t have his best stuff, go to the bullpen.

Control the line of scrimmage, and you control the game.

It’s hard to score lying on your back.

The Emmaus Green Hornets (5-4, 3-4) recovered from a 13-0 deficit to upset Bethlehem Catholic (6-3, 4-3) 27-13 last Friday night at EPSD Stadium. They abided by all those laws to do it.

Seven days before, the Green Hornet defense was torched by Freedom. The game against the Golden Hawks started like it might go the same way.

Down 13-0 early in the second quarter, Emmaus came alive. The Hornets scored on the last play of the first half, and scored the game’s last 27 points.

The resurrection started when coach Harold Fairclough replaced his starting quarterback with Jake Fotta, a freshman who played a solid game, going 5-for-7 for 51 yards and one touchdown.

Fairclough’s staff had put together a package for Fotta. If the situation warranted, Fotta would be prepared.

“We like his athleticism, his ability to read zones and that he has a high football IQ” said Fairclough.

Besides his talent and a good head on his shoulders, Fotta had something else going for him - an offensive line moving people out. The boys up front were earth movers for Fotta and talented running back Brandon Camire.

The thing about Camire is that if you give him an inch, he’ll take a mile. He racked up 236 yards on 36 carries and three touchdowns on runs of 26,15 and 29 yards.

Throughout most of 2019, “the offensive line has not been healthy,” Fairclough said. Against Bethlehem Catholic, it came together. “I thought we played well in the last two games,” he said.

Bethlehem Catholic boasts two outstanding runners - Tavion Banks and Malik Thomas. But they were controlled after their early glory.

On the night, the duo carried 22 times for 91 yards. It forced quarterback Jared Richardson into a starring role. Richardson played a competent game, but could not sustain drives with his arm alone in the second half. For the final 24 minutes, the Golden Hawks gained just 48 yards and were shutout.

“We just challenged the kids (after the Freedom game),” said Fairclough. “I thought we were embarrassed. We have not been healthy all season, and we have a lot of kids who are playing out of position. This is not something you want to do in the ninth week of the season. You only have a limited amount of practice time.”

Credit goes to defensive coordinator Jake Hildebrand and staff for a good game plan. The rest of the accolades go to the players, who executed it with controlled intensity.

In the season finale, the Green Hornets head north on Cedar Crest Boulevard for a 7 p.m. Friday night date with Parkland (7-2, 5-2). The Trojans have won five straight after starting 2-2, including a win over previously-unbeaten Nazareth and an impressive 27-9 win over Easton last Friday night.

“Their kids are going to be ready,” the coach said. “Our kids are going to be ready.”