Hawks continue to prep for season
Bethlehem Catholic’s football program is used to playing deep into November, chasing district titles and grinding through the state tournament.
This year, they’re just working through each day, hoping they’ll be able to practice or play according to their schedule.
After winning five district championships in the past six years, the Hawks fell to Pottsville in the District 11 4A semifinals last year to wrap up the season at 7-5.
With a six-game schedule on the docket during this coronavirus induced fall, playoffs may never happen, but just getting to play might be the biggest reward.
Becahi returns eight starters on the offensive side of the ball with Clayton Basile (HB), Ian Kish (WR), Justin Kanyuk (OL), Jared Richardson (QB), Dalton Kucher (OL), Mike Vasquez (OL), Eric Wert (WR), Rahmel Terry (WR/RB)
Defensively they bring back starters with Declan Dean (DE), Clayton Basile (LB), Christian Shelton (LB), Rahmel Terry (C), Ian Kish (S), Jacob Stoudt (C/S),
Rahmel Terry (KR, PR) and Anthony Barczynski (K) return on special teams.
Newcomers in the fold are Hudson Oberholzer (OL/DL), Mychael Althouse (WR/S), Chris Tartamella (RB/S), Ethan Shelton (HB/LB), Aydan Kirby (OL/DL), Max Johnson (RB/LB), Steven Hattala (OL/DL), Mekhi George (OL/DL), Luke Thomas (QB/S), Rafi Harrington (RB/S), Kyle Melson (RB), Jho Soto (WR/C)
“We lost a lot of key starters [to graduation], so we’ll look to replenish the line up with some young talent, many of whom saw some quality time last season,” said head coach Joe Henrich, who enters his ninth year with the program. “The strength of the team certainly lies in the skill positions, though we do return three quality offensive lineman.”
The Hawks scrimmage Saucon Valley on September 18 before opening the season on September 25 at Whitehall.