Bethlehem Catholic football handles Lehighton, returns to district final

Bethlehem Catholic 35, Lehighton 14 – Rapid Recap

Bethlehem Catholic's football team is back to defend its title.

The third-seeded Golden Hawks defeated seventh-seeded Lehighton 35-14 in the District 11 Class 4A semifinals on Thursday night at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

Turning point: Lehighton lined up to punt from its 30-yard line trailing 7-0 late in the second quarter.

The snap was dropped, however, and Bethlehem Catholic's Robert Cousar tackled the punter for a 14-yard loss. Golden Hawks tailback Jeziah Gregory scored his second touchdown of the night on the next play.

Lehighton went four-and-out during the following possession. Bethlehem Catholic linebacker Carlos Perez and Co. dropped Indians quarterback Jayse Lawrence for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1 on the visitors' side of the 50.

Bethlehem Catholic needed just 45 seconds to score with the short field. Quarterback Cayden Vassa scrambled for a 16-yard touchdown. Ethan Wiles' extra point gave the Hawks a 21-0 lead with 51 seconds left in the first half.

Top performers: Gregory rushed for 33 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries. Vassa threw for 120 yards and ran for 45 yards and a score.

Becahi defensive back Collin Peacock made an important interception to halt Lehighton's momentum with the score 21-7 in the third quarter.

Lehighton's Lukas Croizier rushed for 82 yards and was all over the field defensively.

What it means: The Golden Hawks, who improved to 6-6, advanced to the D-11 4A final for the third straight season. Becahi blanked Allentown Central Catholic 29-0 in the 2023 championship game.

The Hawks will meet Southern Lehigh 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Catasauqua's Alumni Field. The top-seeded Spartans had a wild, come-from-behind win over Pottsville, 41-34, in Thursday's other semifinal.

Lehighton closed its season at 5-7.