The second half of the football season always gets tougher for EPC teams, but for Bethlehem schools, it also ignites the path towards a city title.

Freedom and Bethlehem Catholic start that journey this Friday night at BASD Stadium when both teams meet in the first matchup of the city series with plenty on the line for both schools.

The Pates are 4-2 on the season, picking up two straight mercy rule wins over Dieruff and East Stroudsburg North en route to Friday’s matchup after an inconsistent start to the season.

Freedom head coach Jason Roeder said his team is looking forward to another city rivalry while also getting back into division play.

“City games are always exciting,” Roeder said. “So yes, we are excited to play a city game and a division game.”

The last two weeks have also given the Patriots an opportunity to get healthier following a demanding opening stretch that included games against Parkland, Phillipsburg and Nazareth, easily the toughest start for any area team.

“The last two weeks allowed a few of our guys to get healthier after a tough start to our season with extremely physical games,” Roeder said.

Roeder knows Freedom will have to contend with Bethlehem Catholic’s ability to create big plays, particularly through the air.

The Patriots’ biggest priorities will be limiting those explosive plays and preventing Beca quarterback Axel Burkart from getting comfortable with his running mate, wide receiver Carter Vassa.

“We need to limit their big-play capability and not allow their quarterback to get into a rhythm,” Roeder said.

Bethlehem Catholic coach Joe Bernard said his team approaches the matchup with the same mindset it brings to every division game.

“Every division game is big,” Bernard said. “We stick to our model of trying to go 1-0 each week, and it starts at practice.”

Beca enters the game at 5-1 after two straight lopsided wins the past two weeks but have a tougher march towards the end of the season, starting with Freedom on Friday.

“We will be at full strength,” he said. “Everyone is healthy and ready to go.”

Friday’s game could have a significant impact on the division race and on postseason seeding, but Bernard said the Golden Hawks understand the importance of the opportunity in front of them, as well as the chance to take the lead in the city race.

“We control our own destiny from here on out, as does Freedom,” Bernard said.