Bethlehem Catholic’s road to defending their PIAA crown has taken a different turn this year, but that doesn’t mean the Hawks will be out of contention when things unfold in this week’s PIAA championships.

The Hawks have entered the state tournament as district champions each of the past five years, but now have to battle through two bouts on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals at 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown, PA this weekend.

Beca (11-2) opens the state tournament against Owen J. Roberts at 5 p.m. in Tuesday’s preliminary round at Scranton High School. A win would then pit them against District 2 champion Abington Heights in the first round at 7 p.m. that night.

Beca will be favored in both bouts that would then send them to the quarterfinals in Johnstown where they’ll face either District One champion Boyertown or District 3 runner-up Wilson in Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinals.

All eyes would be on a possible semifinal showdown against District 7 champion Franklin Regional (18-0) in Saturday’s 10:30 a.m. semifinal round.

Should Beca get through all those hurdles, it would likely be another District 11 final against Nazareth (16-1) in Saturday’s 3 p.m. championship.

The Hawks defeated Nazareth 44-28 in last year’s state championship and have won the last four PIAA titles.

Becahi fell to Nazareth in the District 11 finals 36-26. The Blue Eagles knocked off Liberty in the opening round 59-10 and would next get past Notre Dame Green Pond 34-24. The Crusaders defeated Northampton in their opening round contest 35-30.

Becahi defeated Whitehall in the semifinals 38-21. The Zephs were seeded seventh and were a surprise winner over second-seeded Emmaus 33-29 in the opening.

The Hornets were surprise winners over the Hawks in the opening match of the season, 31-21. Becahi defeated Whitehall in the final match of the regular season 43-21.