Kyle Haas was hoping that his Bethlehem Catholic football team would gradually improve each week throughout the season. Following a 24-19 victory over Liberty last week in the first installment of the city rivalry this season, the Hawks (3-1) showed a glimpse of what they may be capable of if they can put it all together.

A week after seeing the offense sputter in a loss to Nazareth, the Hawks looked more explosive on that side of the ball, racking up 367 yards of total offense to put away Liberty (1-3) at BASD Stadium.

The Hawks trailed 13-12 and 19-18 in the second half, before quarterback Luke Thomas sneaked in from a yard out with 4:57 left in the fourth quarter for the go-ahead score.

The Hawks held Liberty on 4th-and-7 from the Becahi 35-yard line on the ensuing drive and ultimately ran out the clock with their rushing attack to ice the game.

“It’s a credit to our kids when we said the offense has to catch up to the defense,” Haas said. “I thought Luke can even get better, even though he played well. I’m proud of how they battled back in this game and it’s nice to see that our kids are responding to the coaching. To be 3-1 at this point feels good.”

Thomas threw for 243-yards and a touchdown, and added two scores from the ground despite playing with a sprained foot, but the play of wide receiver Eric Wert helped put the Hawks in position to win. Wert hauled in a 47-yard reception on a crucial third down on the Hawks go-ahead drive to set up Thomas’ game-winning plunge. He finished the night with seven catches for 154-yards.

“That was a big play,” said Haas. “This week we had a little more time to stretch the field and Luke made some really good throws. I’m really pleased with the progress he’s shown.”

For Liberty head coach Shawn Daignault, the night was another missed opportunity for his ballclub. After trailing 12-6 at halftime, Liberty jumped out on top in the third quarter following a 27-yard TD run by Jayden Rosado to make it 13-12. Becahi answered with a 17-yard TD catch by Jaiden Ellis-Lahey to close out the third ahead 18-13. Rosado would score from three-yards out with 8:52 left in the game to make it 19-18, before Becahi would take control of the game.

“I think the difference in the game was our inability to control the line of scrimmage in the first half,” said Daignault. “I’m proud of how we played in the second half, but it’s a lot of little things that are costing us to close out these games in the second half. It’s not even stuff so much during the game. We’re still trying to build habits in practice so that when we come out here on Friday’s they’re already trained for these situations.”

Rahmel Terry was back in action after missing the Nazareth game and ran for 100-yards and a score for the Hawks.

Becahi now gets ready to take on top-ranked Emmaus (4-0) Friday night at home, while Liberty travels to Nazareth (3-1).

On Saturday night, Freedom (2-2) registered their biggest win of the season, collecting a 45-35 victory over previously undefeated Nazareth.

The Patriots forced five turnovers on the night and racked up 365 yards rushing en route to a huge victory for the defending district champs. Jalen Fletcher ran for 194 yards and two scores, while quarterback Ethan Neidig added 123-yards rushing and a score.

Fletcher capped the night off with a 17-yard interception return for a score to give Freedom their swagger back.

“A win like that puts a jolt in your week,” said head coach Jason Roeder. “There’s some parallels to how we started last year 2-2, but the biggest thing for us was just coming out and forcing turnovers. We only had one through the first three weeks, so to get five was huge.”

Gaining their confidence back was even more important for the Pates, as they hit the road for another Saturday night affair this week when they travel to J. Birney Crum to battle Central Catholic (3-1), fresh off a win over Parkland last week.

“Confidence is the biggest thing,” said Roeder. “Being able to beat a top tier team was big for the kids. When you lose close games, sometimes doubt can creep in, but this was a huge win for us.”