It was a tale of two halves for the Bethlehem Catholic football team in its latest game last Friday night. The Golden Hawks scored 21 points in the opening half and moved the ball up-and-down the field at will, leading 21-13 heading into the locker room.

But in the second half, they were shutout, and Emmaus scored 18 unanswered points to come from behind and win the game 31-21 at East Penn School District Stadium.

Second-year head coach Ty Ward saw two different versions of his team, one that could beat anyone in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, and another that still plays young and inexperienced.

“I told the guys in the huddle after the game that for the first 24 minutes we might’ve been one of the best teams in the league, and for the second 24 minutes we didn’t execute quite as well,” said Ward. “We missed some opportunities, forced some things where we could’ve taken some easier opportunities. A couple dropped passes here and there, a couple missed throws here and there, a couple missed reads here and there. It was more a lack of execution. When you are playing a team as good as Emmaus and when you’re not executing at a high level, you’re going to struggle. I thought our defense battled; we gave up a few blown coverages that led to touchdowns. Things like that are going to get you in these close games.”

The Golden Hawks play a ton of underclassmen, especially at the skill positions. Quarterback Cayden Vassa is a junior. His three touchdowns in the first half went to two other underclassmen, including two to Rodney Brodie and the third to Carter Vassa.

The Green Hornets tallied their two touchdowns in the first half, all came on defensive mishaps. The first score came after a 53-yard run down the sideline by Emmaus running back Reilly Bechtel set them up inside the five yard line. The second touchdown was a 37-yard throw to an open receiver.

“We had two blown coverages and that was 14 points right there and that changes the game,” Ward said. “Even with that we had plenty of opportunities that we left on the field. If we score with the first possession of the second half, it’s 100% a different game.”

But Becahi was still in a good position as it led by eight points at halftime and was receiving the opening kick in the second half. But Emmaus, and its defense I particular, stepped up in the second half and shutout the Golden Hawks offense, including two three-and-outs and a fourth down stop. The Green Hornet offense found the end zone twice in the second half and added a field goal to seal the deal.

Cayden Vassa was 16-of-28 for 167 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 77. Jeziah Gregory finished with 46 yards rushing. Brodie had five catches for 71 yards and two scores and Carter Vassa recorded three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Bethlehem Catholic has a short week this week as it will take on Berks Catholic on Thursday night in the home opener.