Sometimes you need a little bit of adversity to see what you’re made of. Bethlehem Catholic got a dose of that last week after taking a 20-0 lead over Easton Saturday night and ultimately hanging on for a 20-19 victory.

The win kept the Hawks undefeated at 5-0, but more importantly, showed they cannot play their best and still find ways to win close games.

“Was very happy to see how we handled some adversity and mistakes,” said Bethlehem Catholic coach Tyler Ward. “We shot ourselves in the foot a few times, and Easton capitalized with some big plays. Not having played any close games I was curious how we would respond. We lived up to our next-play mentality and were able to wash a few mistakes and finish the game.

We need to do a better job closing out, when you are up 20-0 we needed to close the door on Easton and did. Credit to Easton for continuing to fight and clawing back into the game.”

The closest any team has come to Becahi this season was during a week two 34-21 win over Whitehall, but after taking a three score lead into the fourth quarter last week, Easton rallied for the upset scare.

The Rovers scored a trio of touchdowns in a five-minute span to flip the momentum, starting with an 88-yard pass from Cole Ordway to Collin Torres. The extra point failed, but Easton kept their foot on the gas when Ordway found JC Wilson III on a seven-yard touchdown to make it 20-13. The Hawks ensuing punt was blocked and Easton recovered it at the Becahi four-yard line. Dorian Thompson cashed in with a four-yard score to pull within one point at 20-19 before Easton elected to go for two with 3:54 left in the game.

Fortunately, the Pates smothered a screen play on the conversion to hold the lead and ultimately walk away with the win.

“I wasn’t happy with how we finished and closed out the game,” Ward. “Nice to see us fight back from adversity, but to be up 20 and have them come back was a little disappointing. Glad to see them respond the way they did.”

On the other side of the spectrum, Liberty (2-3) was dealt their third straight mercy-rule defeat of the season, falling to Nazareth 42-6.

With losses to Parkland, Bethlehem Catholic and Nazareth in consecutive fashion, head coach Shawn Daignault knows it’s been a challenge, but is also trying to keep things in perspective.

“The hardest thing has been keeping some big-picture perspective and keeping everyone positive and focused on continued growth,” Daignault said. “The three teams we have lost to are a combined 14-1 with the only loss coming against each other. It is easy to focus on the negative as this has certainly been a tough stretch, but we have more challenges ahead of us so it is important that we continue to improve.”

Liberty travels to Easton (2-3) this week in an important showdown for both teams playoff chances down the stretch, while Becahi hits the road to take on Emmaus (2-3) Friday night, in what begins a tough second half stretch of games for Becahi.

“I view everything on a weekly basis,” said Ward on the second half of the schedule. “I’m not naive to look ahead. So whether you’re playing a Whitehall or an Easton, there’s not an easy game anywhere. Emmaus is a very talented football team and they’re are a very successful program. Their strengths this year are up front on both lines. They have some studs upfront that we are going to have battle with for four quarters. I believe our kids are excited for another big EPC challenge. We love playing in such a competitive league.”