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Golden Hawks Soar to 49-17 Win over Patriots to Beat their Stadium Rivals for the First Time in 13 Years

 
Tagged under: District 11, Game Photos-Videos, News, pfn

| October 10, 2026

To the Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks, the past 13 years didn’t feel like a rivalry against the Freedom Patriots, but a one-sided affair they couldn’t overcome no matter what they did. Through a strong performance from their Senior QB Axel Burkart, with 5 passing TDs and a rushing TD, which included 3 from Carter Vassa and 2 from Armando Thom, they were finally able to get that monkey off their back against their stadium rivals.

Freedom won the toss and elected to defer. Bethlehem Catholic started on their own 20 and got started with a 13 yard gain to their reliable WR1 in Carter Vassa and after a couple of runs from Burkart and RB Justin Martinez to the Freedom 40, Burkart found Vassa for the 40 yard TD to put the Golden Hawks up 7-0 with 9:07 left in the 1st.

 

After a return to the Becahi 47, Freedom took over and ran with Lashawn Johnson to the Becahi 24, and then to the Becahi 13 following an encroachment penalty on 4th and 6, however the drive stalled there and the 30 yard FG was no good.

Becahi took over on their own 20 and went 3 and out. A big return set up Freedom on the Becahi 20, but the drive stalled at the 16 following a couple short Johnson runs, the 33 yard FG was good from Nathan Stannard and the score was now 7-3 Golden Hawks with Freedom clawing back.

 

Becahi took over on their own 28 and 2 plays later Burkart hit Armando Thom for the 66 yard TD that put Becahi up 14-3 as time expired in the 1st.

Freedom took over at their own 25 only for Anthony Hanig to intercept the pass and the Golden Hawks to take over there. A few Antonio Salomoni runs set up Axel Burkart’s 1 yard TD run to make the score 21-3 Becahi with 8:26 left in the 2nd.

 

Freedom took over on the Becahi 25 after a big return and a series of Lashawn Johnson runs plus defensive penalties set up Johnson’s 2 yard TD run to bring Freedom to within 11 at 21-10 with 5:24 left in the 2nd.

 

Becahi started the next possession on their own 31 and Burkart found Tyre Lewis from the Becahi 22 to the Freedom 34 for the 44 yard gain. Burkart hit Armando Thom for the 19 yard TD 2 plays later. The score was 28-10 Becahi with 3:56 left.

 

Freedom and Becahi exchanged punts, and Freedom went 3 and out on the next possession after that. Becahi had a flea flicker from Lewis to Vassa to set up the 34 yard TD strike from Burkart to Vassa with 22 seconds left in the half. The score was now 35-10 Becahi.

 

Freedom got a big return to the Becahi 39 with 10 seconds left in the half, but a Vassa INT ended their hopes at a score as time expired in the half.

The 2 teams exchanged punts out the half with Freedom receiving the ball first. However, Lashawn Johnson fumbled and Becahi recovered on their 2nd possession of the half. Taking over on their own 48, Becahi hit Thom on a couple passes and Jaxon Geiger to get to the 1, where Carter Vassa ran it in, extending the Becahi lead to 42-10 with 3:42 left in the 3rd quarter.

 

Freedom took over on their own 30 but would turn it over on downs at the Becahi 49 following a sack. Becahi took over there and 3 plays later, Burkart hit Lewis for the 35 yard TD with 10:55 left in the game that put the Golden Hawks up 49-10.

Freedom gained 1 first down after starting on their own 32 and QB Michael Stofanak was intercepted by Zakai Brake. Becahi punted after a 3 and out and didn’t gain a yard on their own 40.

Freedom went on a scoring drive after taking over from their own 36. A run heavy drive that featured Jahaire Lewis, culminated in Jahaire Hughes’ 1 yard TD run with 30 seconds left in the game. The final score was 49-17 Becahi after this TD, as Becahi ran the clock out.

 

Becahi improved to 6-1 with the win and will face Nazareth next week at BASD Stadium on Saturday 10/17 at 7 PM. Freedom fell to 4-3 with the loss and will face Northampton on the road on Friday 10/16 at 7 PM.

Score by Quarters

Becahi – 14 21 7 7 – 49

Freedom – 3 7 0 7 – 17

First Quarter

Becahi (Burkart to Vassa 40 yards) 9:07 (7-0)

Freedom (Stannard 33 yard FG) 1:01 (7-3)

Becahi (Burkart to Thom 66 yards) 0:00 (14-3)

Second Quarter

Becahi (Burkart 1 yard run) 8:26 (21-3)

Freedom (Johnson 2 yard run) 5:24 (21-10)

Becahi (Burkart to Thom 19 yards) 3:56 (28-10)

Becahi (Burkart to Vassa 34 yards) 0:22 (35-10)

Third Quarter

Becahi (Vassa 1 yard run) 3:42 (42-10)

Fourth Quarter

Becahi (Burkart to Lewis 35 yards) 10:55 (49-10)

Freedom (Hughes 1 yard run) 0:30 (49-17)

 
 
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