Bethlehem Catholic may have wound up on the wrong side of the scoreboard last week, but it was certainly an encouraging sign for the program that has been struggling the past month.

The Hawks fell on the road to Nazareth 17-14 to drop their fourth straight loss of the season, but pushing the Blue Eagles to the brink might be a reminder to themselves of what they’re capable of.

After scoring only three total points in their previous three games, the Hawks got back in the end zone last week and nearly had a chance to steal a win at the end of regulation.

Cayden Vassa found his brother Carter on a 39-yard Hail Mary conversion with under 30 seconds left on 4th and 10 to give the Hawks life at the Nazareth four-yard line with 11 seconds remaining.

The Hawks (5-4) gave it a shot to steal the victory, but Vassa was picked off by Logan Hilarczyk on the ensuing play to solidify the win for Nazareth (8-1).

Despite falling short, first-year head coach Tyler Ward was happy to see his team keep fighting in the midst of growing pains they’ve experienced the past month.

“When you play close games like we have and all of them come up on the wrong side the biggest thing we’ve done is look on film and the positives we take away,” said Ward. “Our kids have stayed resilient this whole time and when you play a tough schedule its big to have them stay close and not point fingers.”

The Hawks trailed 10-0 in the second half, but pulled ahead with two third quarter touchdowns to take a 14-10 lead.

Jacob Sutton scored from five yards out for the first Becahi touchdown in 14 quarters and then Cayden Vassa doubled up with a two-yard strike to Carter late in the period.

The Blue Eagles needed to pull out a trick play for the go-ahead score with 8:05 left in the fourth quarter when Mason Kuehner threw a 52-yard pass to Caleb Newsome on a reverse to put Nazareth back in front.

The Hawks offense got confidence back this week by rolling up 390 yards of offense. Sutton rushed for 101-yards and a score and also caught four balls for 770-yards.

Cayden Vassa threw for 238-yards and a touchdown, but was also picked off twice.

Carter Vassa got back in rhythm with a seven catch, 124-yard performance along with his TD reception.

Outside of the turnovers, the Hawks committed 15 penalties for 94 yards.

“We think we always have a chance against anybody and want to keep building off the positives and fix the negatives,” said Ward. “Still had too many penalties and we need to fix that. I know we were happy to finish some drives. We missed a field goal and then had the interception late, so even though we didn’t score there we had some good opportunities.”

The opportunity to battle in the Holy War against Central Catholic (7-2) this Friday night at J. Birney Crum Stadium now takes center stage with the two best teams in District 11’s 4A classification meeting for what usually becomes the first of two matchups over the coming weeks with the postseason kicking off next week.

“They have some amazing skill players,” Ward said of Central. “They might have the best receivers in the league as a unit. Have to limit big plays and stay on schedule with our offense.

“I’m fired up we’re going to be in the playoffs and when we’re done with the Central game that’s when we’ll focus on the postseason.”