Having to replace nine starters on the defensive side of the ball has proven to be quite the challenge for Emmaus through the first two games of the high school football season.
After allowing over 450 yards in total offense in a 30-0 Week 1 loss at home against Neshaminy last Friday, the Hornets found the challenge equally difficult in their first road contest at BASD Stadium against Bethlehem Catholic last night.
The Golden Hawks had their way on the ground, rushing for over 400 yards while accumulating 550 yards in total offense as they pulled away from Emmaus in the second half for a 35-14 win.
Senior quarterback Cayden Vassa was a one-man wrecking crew as he accounted for all five touchdowns and 426 total yards in total offense as Becahi moved to 2-0 on the season after defeating the Hornets for the first time since 2017.
Vassa ran for 271 yards and four scores on runs of 17, 87, 55 and 66 yards, while also throwing for 155 yards, including a 26-yard TD pass to brother Carter.
With the loss, Emmaus begins the season 0-2 for the first time in 12 years.
In the defeat, senior quarterback Jerek Cooper accounted for both scores for the Hornets on touchdown runs of 49 and 10 yards.
Junior running back Jay Santos had a solid game on the ground rushing for a career-high 112 yards on 25 carries.
Emmaus will look to pick up their first win next Friday at 7 p.m. as they travel to Albright College to take on Reading. The Red Knights are also 0-2 on season after a 48-0 blowout loss at rival Muhlenberg.
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Listen to a replay of the game: https://easternpasportsnet1.mixlr.com/recordings/2883129
Stats – Individual (Emmaus)
Rushing – Jay Santos 25-112, Jerek Cooper 11-87, 2 TD; Jaden Garcia 1-25, Anthony Attar 1-12
Passing – Cooper 2-11, 37 yards, 2 Int
Receiving – Shane Leyden 1-5, Mason Lenig 1-4
Becahi 35, Emmaus 14
Em – 0-7-7-0 – 14
BC – 7-14-14-0 – 35
Scoring:
Q1
BC – Cayden Vassa 17-yard run (Aaron Geiger PAT)
Q2
BC – Cayden Vassa 87-yard run (Geiger PAT)
Em – Jerek Cooper 49-yard run (Gavin Yartymyk PAT)
BC – Carter Vassa 26-yard pass from Cayden Vassa (Geiger PAT)
Q3
BC – Cayden Vassa 55-yard run (Geiger PAT)
Em – Cooper 10-yard run (Yartymyk PAT)
BC – Cayden Vassa 66-yard run (Geiger PAT)
PHOTO GALLERY (Courtesy of Tom Ashelman)
