HS Football: Tide face another ‘huge’ test in District 11 4A quarters

Led by Logan Kessler (54), Max Clews (21) and Eli Accardi (71), Pottsville enters Veterans Memorial Stadium prior to Friday's game against Shamokin (Photo by Jocelyn Barrett / Danie Mae Photography).

POTTSVILLE — As the saying goes, “There’s no substitute for speed.”

In high school football, there’s a similar refrain: “There’s no substitute for size.”

In almost every football game this season, Pottsville has been at a major size disadvantage along the offensive and defensive lines. From Shamokin, to Southern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh, Blue Mountain and North Schuylkill, the Crimson Tide have been physically smaller than their opponents. That will be the case again Thursday when No. 7 seed Pottsville (3-7) visits No. 2 Bethlehem Catholic (6-4) in a District 11 Class 4A quarterfinal at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

(The game will air live on WPPA 1360 AM and A-106/105.9 FM, beginning with pregame at 6:45 p.m. and kickoff at 7:05 p.m.)

“We want to compete. It’s been a long year, and it’s us against us,” Pottsville coach Mike Brennan said. “I really want the kids to go out and have a sound performance in all three phases and compete like they want to be playing in Week 11. You get another week of work for our young kids to get them developed for the future and a sendoff for our seniors to feel good about themselves.”

Pottsville will have to contend with a pair of senior stalwarts on the Golden Hawks’ line. Caiden Charmant is a 6-foot-6, 300-pound nose guard, with Emile Ayche, a 6-2, 290-pounder, lining up next to him on the defensive front. If they get penetration, they an wreck an offensive attack.

“The first thing is the physical size difference again. … Overall they’re a deep team, a balanced team,” Brennan said.

That balance extends to the offensive skill positions. Becahi has used two quarterbacks because of injury. Senior Cayden Vassa has completed 38-of-73 passes for 685 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior Axel Burkart, a converted defensive end, has connected on 71-of-123 passes for 1,096 yards with eight TDs and four interceptions.

Bethlehem Catholic uses a lot of running backs, including Cayden Vassa (63-715, 10 TDs) and junior Justin Martinez (45-279, 4 TDs). Burkart can run the ball too; he’s scored five touchdowns.

Junior Carter Vassa is the Hawks’ top wideout with 47 receptions for 802 yards and seven TDs. Senior Rodney Brodie (14-300, 1 TD), junior Mason Thomas (16-165) and sophomore Tyre Lewis (6-121, 2 TDs) contribute as well.

Pottsville counters with Andrew Allen at quarterback. Posted statistics have him completing 96-of-168 passes for 1,124 yards with 11 TDs and five interceptions.

Max Clews (65-362, 1 TD rushing and 22-200, 3 TDs receiving) is the Tide’s main offensive weapon since JuJu Bainbridge went down with an injury.

Nick Huda (23-235, 2 TDs), Christian Alvarez (20-236, 2 TDs) and Shay Stencosky (15-238, 3 TDs) are other pass-catchers for Pottsville.

While Pottsville has played a rugged schedule, the same can be said for Bethlehem Catholic. The Hawks compete in the East Penn Conference, mostly made up of Class 6A and 5A teams. Becahi has wins over East Pennsboro, Emmaus, Berks Catholic, Allentown Central Catholic, Pocono Mountain East and Northampton this season. The losses have come to Easton, Bethlehem Freedom, Nazareth and Bethlehem Liberty.

“Some really good football players across the board,” Brennan said. “They’re really balanced. They played a very competitive schedule. They’re a very good football team. Our year has been a challenge throughout. I think, top to bottom, our schedule has been very competitive, more competitive than most years, and it certainly is no different Thursday night.”