Football season is right around the corner, and Bethlehem Catholic, Freedom, and Liberty should again be in the hunt of the always competitive East Penn Conference race.

In keeping with the country’s 250th celebration, how many of you remember how football was for the three teams back in the mid-70s as well as the entire 1970s decade?

There was plenty of good football to go around, and plenty of memorable names who made their mark in the Christmas city.

The most recognizable team from that decade arguably was Bethlehem Catholic under Jim Mazza. Led by John Spagnola and Mike Guman, the Golden Hawks produced an undefeated 11-0 season in 1974 and extended their undefeated streak to 17 games (16-0-1) until they were stopped by Levittown’s Woodrow Wilson, 7-0.

Spagnola was a wide receiver and linebacker, while Guman was a running and defensive back.

When Spagnola graduated and moved on to Yale, Guman took center stage. Aside from football, some people may have forgotten his prowess on the basketball court - a 1,000-point career scorer - and on the baseball diamond - a 13th-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers.

Mazza’s coaching job may have been overshadowed by Spagnola and Guman, but he compiled a sterling 27-4-2 mark before he left to accept an assistant coaching job at Temple University. He returned for his final coaching stint with Notre Dame of Green Pond.

Of course, we know Spagnola went on to make his mark as a tight end with the Eagles, and Guman played for Joe Paterno before he had a productive career with the Rams.

Speaking of Penn State, Tom Donchez excelled at Liberty from 1970-74 before he traveled to Happy Valley. Donchez had a stint with the Bears before his career was cut short due to a knee injury.

Following that same path a few years earlier was former Hurricane lineman Mike Hartenstine, who once held the PIAA shot put record at 61-1.5 inches. Hartenstine followed Donchez, and he had a 12-year, All-Pro career with the Bears as a defensive tackle.

Liberty also produced lineman Rich Garza, who continued his career at Temple, Garza had stops with the Eagles and Broncos and also the USFL Philadelphia Stars and San Antonio Gunslingers.

Bob Buffman and Barry Fetterman guided Liberty in 70s, while Bill Moll and Rich Andrews steered the ship at Freedom.

Others who were key contributors along their way and made the AP All-State First-, Second-, or Third-Teams were Becahi’s Mike Brown, Dan Fox and Ed Hudak; Freedom’s Gary Kesack; and Liberty’s Matt Szymakowski, Kyle Wescoe, Jeff Speicher, Pat Haney, and Tom Coleman.

If I missed anyone, I apologize. However, do let me know.

It was 50-plus years ago, but that Golden era of Bethlehem football shouldn’t be forgotten.

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