The East Penn Conference wrestling season may have just started, but in the blink of an eye, the regular season’s conclusion comes next week.

Between all three Bethlehem schools, they’ve wrestled four matches to date combined with Bethlehem Catholic (2-0) leading the way following their 64-6 win over Liberty (0-1) last Friday.

The Hawks will have a week off between their next match Friday against Northampton (2-0), as Wednesday’s originally scheduled bout with Freedom is now Feb. 5. It’s the second match that has been rescheduled for the Hawks already, as their bout with Nazareth last week has been pushed to Feb. 3.

For head coach Jeff Karam, it’s all par for the course amid this coronavirus season.

“Things can change any day and that’s one thing that we’ve been stressing to the kids,” said Karam. “We just have to be ready and move on to the next day. Having a week off in between Northampton isn’t ideal, but we’ve change things up to keep it fresh for the kids.”

Friday’s bout will be a marquee matchup in this condensed season, as both teams have looked like the best programs in the conference so far.

“It’s going to be a huge match,” Karam said. “Northampton has been very good this year and they have a lot of tough kids. A couple matches could determine which way this goes, but I know our kids will be ready.”

Freedom (0-1) is just looking to get back onto the mat this week, as they’re past two duals with Nazareth and Becahi have been postponed since the school went to virtual learning last Friday, leaving them with a nine-day gap before taking on Liberty this Friday at Memorial Gymnasium.

While the lack of matches is an issue, not having the ability to practice is larger.

“We’re approaching the end of January and we are still unable to practice as much as the other District 11 teams,” said Terenzio. “I’m not worried about the matches as much as I am practice. We need to be in a wrestling room right now. This is a conditioning sport, and really the only way of getting into wrestling shape is by practicing in a wrestling room every day. It is what it is, and we will obviously do our best to adapt and push forward.”

Liberty (0-2) has struggled out of the gate, losing its first two bouts by a combined 129-6. The ‘Canes take on Easton Wednesday before getting ready for Friday’s rivalry showdown with the Pates.