Freedom Shuts Out Bethelehem Catholic Behind Big Games by Pla and Hughes

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Cody Brady | October 3, 2025

Freedom v Becahi TV by PAFootball Newsdotcom
It had been 12 years since the Golden Hawks defeated the Freedom Patriots entering Thursday night’s contest at BASD Stadium. And the combined efforts of Abraham Pla, Jhahaire Hughes, Michael Stofanak and others ensured the continuation of that streak. A third quarter Bethlehem Catholic drive that ate up nearly eight minutes ended as an empty possession, giving Freedom the momentum, which they soon capitalized on.

Bethlehem Catholic had early success, as the defense held Freedom to a quick three-and-out. Axel Burkart then flipped field position with his 27-yard run on a keeper up the middle. However, three plays later, the ball was on the turf and Jahaire Hughes was on it.

The Patriots’ second drive was methodical, covering 46 yards in 12 plays, but ending on a 4th & Goal incompletion intended for Geovanny Ledee. The Golden Hawks took over at their own 18 with 1:08 to go in a still scoreless first quarter.

On the first play, Jake Hauze caught Burkart in the backfield for a ten yard loss. Then, a delay of game penalty moved the ball back further to open the second quarter. Following a punt from the end zone, the Patriots took over in plus territory at the 34.  Another penalty against Becahi, a defensive pass interference, helped setup Stofanak to throw a 6-yard strike over the middle to Hauze. With 7:03 to go in the half, Freedom finall struck.

Bethlehem Catholic benefited from another huge run by Burkart, this time for 30 yards. But the drive faltered on a 4th & 14 completion to Carter Vassa that came up well short of the line to gain. Freedom moved quickly to capitalize on the momentum. Benefiting from another defensive passi nterference call, the Patriots then got a Stofanak 21-yard completion to Devyon Moore. A play later, Abraham Pla, the featured running back for most of the game in the absence of Lashawn Johnson, was in from 15 yards out.

Without Johnson, Pla and Hughes were called upon in big situations. The two combined for 25 carries, 188 yards and a toucodnw each. In an unfortunate turn for Bethlehem Catholic, Carter Vassa exited the game in the third quarter with what appeared to be a lower body injury.

Bethlehem Catholic mounted one more comeback effort to open the third quarter. A 15 play drive consumed nearly the first eight minutes of the quarter, as the Hawks moved from their own 35 to the Freedom 3. But on 4th & Goal, a pass in the back corner of the end zone went uncaught, resulting a critical turnover on downs. While Freedom didn’t score on the ensuing drive, Hughes picked up 30 yards on a run that flipped the field position one more time.

The Golden Hawks managed only three more offensive yards the rest of the game. After another punt, Stofanak hit Ledee in the end zone from 33 yards out to ice the game at 21-0 with 10:43 to play.

Freedom took over in Beca territory one more time, as an eight play drive was capped by an 11-yard Hughes score that pushed the lead to 28-0.

Freedom has now won four of their last five games, and will need to carry the momentum into games against Northampton, Easton and Liberty to finish out the season. Bethlehem Catholic travels to Nazareth next Friday night before finishing their regular season schedule against Pocono Mountain East and Northampton.

See a full photo gallery of this game by Ryan Scipio here

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