While Bethlehem Catholic took great pleasure in winning Bethlehem’s Christmas City championship for the first time since 2013 on Saturday afternoon, there was no fanfare Saturday night at J. Birney Crum Stadium when Allentown Central Catholic finished off another sweep of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s other Allentown schools with a 49-6 win over Dieruff.

The Vikings haven’t lost to Dieruff since 2004 and have beaten Allen every year since 2003, so winning what would be called the Queen City crown isn’t as exciting as Becahi beating the bigger schools in Bethlehem. Plus, Allentown’s other football-playing school, Executive, is not included in the series.

That said, ACCHS coach Jake Reichard was pleased with his team’s effort on the heels of a 38-7 loss to Parkland the week before.

“We challenged our kids to come out and start fast and they answered the bell,” Reichard said. “We had what was probably our best practice of the season on Thursday and I believe that preparation carried over into Saturday night. Our guys did a great job of staying focused, playing with energy and effort and competing in all three phases of the game for 48 minutes.”

Central, which improved to 6-3 overall, 5-1 league and 3-1 in the division, got a 110-yard, two-TD rushing performance from Trey Torres-Johnson, and Tahir Edmondson scored on a 20-yard TD reception and a 74-yard punt return.

Defensively, the Vikings got five tackles, including 2.5 for losses, and two sacks from Quaid Eisenhard.

“Overall, I was proud of the way our kids and staff prepared,” Reichard said. “When we play with that kind of focus, physicality and commitment to one another, we give ourselves a chance to be successful.”

Central’s only losses are to Bethlehem Catholic, Nazareth and Parkland — three teams that are a combined 22-5. The Vikings get one more chance to show what they can do against a top level team when they play Friday night at Whitehall, a game with EPC Lehigh County title ramifications.

If Whitehall wins, the Zephyrs would join Nazareth as sole division champs. The Blue Eagles are 4-0 in the Northampton County division and everyone else has at least two losses with one game left.

If ACCHS wins, the Vikings and Zephyrs would finish in a tie for the title and Parkland would get its own share by beating Emmaus. All three could finish 4-1 in the division.

Whitehall is riding high after rallying from a 42-21 deficit to beat Parkland 45-42 on a last-play, 25-yard field goal by Nick Miley.

Zephyrs quarterback Tanner Dogmanits was instrumental in the comeback, throwing for 327 yards and three TDs while running for another 117 and two scores. Jeziah Gregory added 124 yards rushing and a TD.

“They are a great football team,” Reichard said of Whitehall. “Their quarterback, their running back and wide receiver are special. I have a tremendous amount of respect for [coach] Andy Marino, his staff and his program. I am sure they will be ready to play and so will we. Our kids have worked hard to have the opportunity to compete for a championship. We need to continue to prepare, stay focused and never stop fighting.”

Who’s hot

Becahi’s Axel Burkart: He entered Saturday’s game against Liberty with a District 11-leading 2,029 yards passing and will remain on top after throwing for 469 yards and four TDs. “I didn’t know I had that many yards because the game went by really quickly, but’s a blessing,” Burkart said after winning the Christmas City title. “This is a really unique team. I believe we earned this championship. Now, we’ve got to keep the energy high going into next week.”

Becahi’s Carter Vassa: He had 249 yards receiving on 13 receptions against Liberty, which is the second-most receiving yards ever in a game by a Golden Hawk receiver. Vassa holds the record, with 259 yards against Nazareth in 2025. This season, he has 52 receptions for 1,154 yards and 12 TDs. He entered the week seventh all-time on the District 11 list with 187 catches. Vassa also moved up on the District 11 list for career TD catches, with Saturday’s pair of scores giving him 36 and breaking a tie with Jesse Engle of Williams Valley for fifth place. His 13 receptions Saturday were the most by any District 11 receiver in a game this season.

Freedom’s Lashawn Johnson: He had 244 yards on 36 attempts and five TDs against Easton on Friday night and now has 1,288 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns this season. The rushing total was the second best in the EPC this season behind only TJ Lawrence’s Week 2 performance for Parkland against Freedom.

Who’s not

Pocono Mountain West: The Panthers have lost four straight after starting 4-1. The latest defeat was a 27-26 setback to Pleasant Valley when the Bears’ Chris Ward came up with a late interception in a game that featured seven turnovers, including two on the same play when West intercepted a PV pass but then fumbled it back.

Executive: The Raptors have lost three in a row in the Delaware Valley League, the latest being a 46-27 setback to Academy Park on Saturday. Injuries and lack of depth have taken a toll on Kyle Haas’ squad. On the plus side, quarterback Shawntez Whitsitt is up to 1,514 yards passing and 636 rushing and he has had a hand in 30 TDs — 15 on both the ground and in the air.

Liberty defense: The Hurricanes have one of the area’s most dynamic players in senior Zyaire Davis but have struggled on the defensive side. In a three-game losing streak that dropped them to 2-7 on the season, they have allowed 127 points. They allowed 614 yards against Becahi after yielding 400 to Easton and 47 to Nazareth.

Week 9 scoreboard

Allentown Central Catholic 49, Dieruff 6

Bethlehem Catholic 42, Liberty 28

Emmaus 34, Allen 20

Freedom 38, Easton 35

Nazareth 31, Northampton 21

Pleasant Valley 27, Pocono Mountain East 26

Pocono Mountain East 63, ES North 0

Stroudsburg 38, ES South 28

Whitehall 45, Parkland 42

Week 10 schedule
Thursday night

ES South at ES North

Friday night

Allentown CCHS at Whitehall

Bethlehem Catholic at Northampton

Nazareth at Easton

Parkland at Emmaus

Pleasant Valley at Stroudsburg

Pocono Mountain East at Pocono Mountain West

Saturday

Freedom at Liberty, 1 p.m.

Allen at Dieruff, 2 p.m.

Standings

Lehigh County

Team; All; Division; League

Whitehall; 8-1; 4-0; 6-0

Parkland; 7-2; 3-1; 5-1

ACCHS 6-3; 3-1; 5-1

Emmaus; 4-5; 2-2; 3-3

Allen; 3-6; 1-4; 2-4

Dieruff; 1-8; 0-4; 0-6

Monroe County

PM East; 6-3; 3-1; 3-3

Pleas. Valley; 5-4; 3-1; 3-3

Stroudsburg; 5-4; 3-1; 3-3

ES South; 3-6; 2-2; 2-4

PM West; 4-5; 1-3; 2-4

ES North; 0-9; 0-4; 0-6

Northampton County

Nazareth; 8-1; 4-0; 6-0

Becahi; 7-2; 2-2; 4-2

Easton; 4-5; 2-2; 3-3

Freedom; 6-3; 2-2; 4-2

Northampton; 5-4; 2-2; 3-3

Liberty; 2-7; 0-4; 1-5