Bethlehem Catholic Returns Experienced Playmakers With Eyes on Another District 11 Title Run
Bethlehem Catholic enters the 2026 season with unfinished business and a veteran group capable of making another serious run at the District 11 Class 4A championship.
Head coach Joe Bernard and the Golden Hawks are coming off an 8-5 season that included three postseason games and a trip to the District 11 Class 4A championship. Bethlehem Catholic defeated Pottsville Area and Allentown Central Catholic in the playoffs before falling to eventual PIAA Class 4A state champion Southern Lehigh, 49-28, in the district final.
The Golden Hawks lose Cayden Vassa, Emile Ayche, Caiden Charmont and Rodney Brodie, but much of the team’s offensive firepower returns.
Senior quarterback Axel Burkart is back after accounting for more than 1,700 yards of offense, while senior receiver Carter Vassa returns following an 870-yard season. The backfield features seniors and juniors with varsity experience, and the defense brings back proven players at all three levels.
For Bethlehem Catholic, the potential is there. How quickly the offensive line comes together and how consistently the Golden Hawks control the line of scrimmage could determine just how far they go.
2025 Season Built Momentum for the Future
Bethlehem Catholic showed early last season that it could compete with quality opponents.
The Golden Hawks opened with a 28-10 victory over East Pennsboro before defeating Emmaus, 35-14. They followed that with a wild 48-41 road victory over Berks Catholic.
After a loss to Easton, Bethlehem Catholic responded with an important 28-24 victory over rival Allentown Central Catholic.
The Golden Hawks also defeated Pocono Mountain East and Northampton during the regular season before finding another gear in the postseason.
Bethlehem Catholic beat Pottsville Area, 28-14, in the District 11 quarterfinals and then survived a thriller against Central Catholic, winning 34-31 to advance to the district championship.
The playoff run ultimately ended against Southern Lehigh, but the experience gained by a large group of returning players should be valuable entering 2026.
Burkart Returns to Lead the Offense
Senior Axel Burkart returns at quarterback after putting together an extremely versatile 2025 season.
Burkart threw for 1,475 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 287 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
He even contributed as a receiver, catching 12 passes for 227 yards.
At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Burkart gives the Golden Hawks size, experience and athleticism at the quarterback position.
With another offseason to develop and several of his top weapons returning, Burkart should be in position to take another step forward.
His ability to hurt defenses with both his arm and legs makes him especially difficult to prepare for.
Vassa Gives Golden Hawks Proven No. 1 Target
Senior Carter Vassa returns after emerging as Bethlehem Catholic’s leading receiver last season.
Vassa caught 51 passes for 870 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging more than 17 yards per reception.
His production gives Burkart a proven target who can create explosive plays and move the chains.
At 6-foot and 189 pounds, Vassa has enough size to compete for contested catches while also possessing the athleticism to make plays after the catch.
He also returns in the defensive secondary, making him one of Bethlehem Catholic’s most valuable two-way players.
Deep Backfield Gives Offense Options
The Golden Hawks return both Justin Martinez and Antonio Salomoni in the backfield.
Martinez rushed for 284 yards and four touchdowns last season, while Salomoni carried the ball for 395 yards and three scores.
That gives Bethlehem Catholic two experienced runners to complement Burkart.
Martinez, a senior, brings experience and physicality, while Salomoni enters his junior season with an opportunity to take on an even larger role.
The coaching staff has made establishing the running game one of its biggest priorities.
If the Golden Hawks can consistently run the football, it will make Burkart and the passing game even more dangerous.
Young Receivers Ready for Bigger Roles
Vassa headlines the receiving corps, but Bethlehem Catholic also returns juniors Tyre Lewis and Armando Thom.
Lewis caught seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Thom finished with 12 receptions for 181 yards and a touchdown.
Both players gained valuable varsity experience and now have an opportunity to become much larger pieces of the offense.
With Vassa commanding attention, Lewis and Thom could see favorable matchups throughout the season.
Daleo Anchors Rebuilding Offensive Front
One of the biggest questions entering the season will be the offensive line.
Junior center Joey Daleo, a 6-foot, 300-pound interior lineman, returns to anchor the group.
Bethlehem Catholic’s offensive success may depend heavily on how quickly the rest of the line develops around him.
The Golden Hawks have plenty of skill-position talent, but giving Burkart time to throw and creating running lanes for Martinez and Salomoni will be critical.
“How quickly our offensive line gels as a unit” will be one of the major keys to the offense, according to the coaching staff.
The Golden Hawks also want to eliminate unnecessary penalties and consistently get the football to their playmakers in space.
Defense Wants to Control the Line of Scrimmage
Bethlehem Catholic’s defensive goals are straightforward: create turnovers, win the line of scrimmage and limit big plays.
Junior Jaxon Geiger returns at defensive end and should play a major role in setting the tone up front.
At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Geiger gives the Golden Hawks an experienced edge defender around whom they can build the front.
Winning first down and putting opponents into predictable passing situations will be critical, particularly against a schedule loaded with talented 6A opponents.
Experienced Linebackers Lead the Middle
The linebacker group should be one of the strengths of the defense.
Senior Jonathan Ayache returns after gaining significant varsity experience, while Martinez will play a major role at linebacker in addition to his offensive responsibilities.
Junior Aiden Rivera, at 6-foot-2 and 182 pounds, gives the Golden Hawks another returning starter in the second level.
Having three experienced linebackers should allow Bethlehem Catholic to play faster and more aggressively.
The unit will be counted on to stop the run, create pressure and prevent short gains from turning into explosive plays.
Secondary Returns Three Starters
Bethlehem Catholic also has significant experience returning on the back end.
Vassa returns at defensive back along with Lewis and Thom.
All three also play receiver, giving the Golden Hawks a highly athletic secondary.
That experience will be important against an EPC schedule featuring several teams capable of stretching defenses vertically.
The Golden Hawks want to create more turnovers while preventing opponents from generating explosive plays.
Having three experienced defensive backs should provide a good foundation for accomplishing both goals.
Special Teams Could Take Major Step Forward
Special teams will feature new faces at both kicker and punter.
While replacing specialists always creates some uncertainty, Bernard is optimistic about the progress both players made during the offseason.
“I am excited to see both our new kicker and punter perform under pressure,” Bernard said. “They have had a great offseason. We should be drastically better in both areas this year.”
If that offseason progress carries into games, improved kicking and punting could become an important factor in close contests.
Challenging Schedule Starts Immediately
Bethlehem Catholic will not have much time to ease into the season.
After an August 22 scrimmage at Souderton with Parkland also participating, the Golden Hawks open the regular season at home against Delaware Valley.
Then comes a road game against Allentown Central Catholic, a rematch of last year’s District 11 semifinal.
Bethlehem Catholic travels to Berks Catholic the following week before beginning the heart of its EPC schedule.
The Golden Hawks will face Easton, Freedom, Nazareth, Liberty and Northampton, along with William Allen and East Stroudsburg South.
The schedule is difficult, but Bethlehem Catholic faced similar challenges last season and still reached the district championship.
Players to Watch
Axel Burkart, Sr., QB — Returning starter who passed for 1,475 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 287 yards and eight scores.
Carter Vassa, Sr., WR/DB — Leading returning receiver after catching 51 passes for 870 yards and nine touchdowns.
Justin Martinez, Sr., RB/LB — Physical two-way veteran who rushed for 284 yards and four touchdowns.
Antonio Salomoni, Jr., RB — Returning running back who produced 395 yards and three touchdowns and could see an expanded workload.
Jaxon Geiger, Jr., DE — Experienced edge defender expected to help anchor the defensive front.
Jonathan Ayache, Sr., LB — Veteran linebacker who will be counted on for leadership in the middle of the defense.
Aiden Rivera, Jr., LB — Athletic 6-foot-2 linebacker who gives the Golden Hawks another experienced defender in the second level.
Tyre Lewis, Jr., WR/DB — Two-way playmaker who caught seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Armando Thom, Jr., WR/DB — Returning starter who contributed 181 receiving yards and a touchdown last season.
Joey Daleo, Jr., C — 300-pound returning center whose leadership will be important for a developing offensive line.
My thoughts on Bethlehem Catholic:
Bethlehem Catholic has plenty of reasons for optimism entering 2026.
The Golden Hawks return their starting quarterback, top receiver, two experienced running backs and several other offensive playmakers. Burkart and Vassa give the passing game an established combination, while Martinez and Salomoni provide options on the ground.
The biggest offensive question will be up front.
If Daleo and the rest of the offensive line develop quickly, Bethlehem Catholic has the skill-position talent to produce one of District 11 Class 4A’s more dangerous offenses.
Defensively, the Golden Hawks return experience at every level. Geiger provides a building block up front, the linebacker corps has multiple veterans and the secondary brings back three starters.
After reaching the District 11 championship last season, the goal is clear.
Bethlehem Catholic wants another opportunity to play for a title — and this time finish the job.
If the Golden Hawks establish the run, eliminate costly penalties, win the line of scrimmage defensively and limit explosive plays, they should once again be firmly in the District 11 Class 4A championship conversation.
Head Coach: Joe Bernard
Assistant Coaches:
Frank Trovato
Dan Kendra
Kurt Stametz
Tavion Banks
Derek Schaller
Joe Jay Smith
Mike Kramer
Tom Brady
Jordan Rohner
Team Name: Bethlehem Catholic
District: 11
Class: 4A
League: EPC – Steel Division
2025 Record: 8-5
8/23 East Pennsboro (4A) 7:00 pm W 28-10
8/29 Emmaus (6A) 7:00 pm W 35-14
9/05 @ Berks Catholic (3A) 7:00 pm W 48-41
9/13 Easton Area* (6A) 7:00 pm L 9-35
9/20 @ Allentown Central Catholic (4A) 7:00 pm W 28-24
9/27 Pocono Mountain East (5A) 12:00 pm W 48-6
10/02 Bethlehem Freedom* (6A) 7:00 pm L 0-28
10/10 @ Nazareth Area* (6A) 7:00 pm L 33-41
10/17 @ Bethlehem Liberty* (6A) 7:00 pm L 20-35
10/24 Northampton* (6A) 7:00 pm W 24-21
10/30 Pottsville Area (4A) 7:00 pm W 28-14 Dist. 11 Class 4A Quarterfinal
11/06 Allentown Central Catholic (4A) 6:30 pm W 34-31 Dist. 11 Class 4A Semifinal
11/13 @ Southern Lehigh (4A) 6:35 pm L 28-49 Dist. 11 Class 4A Championship @ Catasauqua MS
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Souderton Area (6A) 10:00 am Scrimmage; with Parkland
8/28 Delaware Valley (5A) 7:00 pm
9/05 @ Allentown Central Catholic (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ Berks Catholic (3A) 7:00 pm
9/19 Easton Area* (6A) 7:00 pm
9/26 William Allen (6A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ East Stroudsburg South (5A) 7:00 pm
10/09 @ Bethlehem Freedom* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/17 Nazareth Area* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/24 Bethlehem Liberty* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/30 @ Northampton* (6A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Cayden Vassa
Emile Ayche
Caiden Charmont
Rodney Brodie
Offensive Starters Returning:
Sr. QB Axel Burkart, 6’4 205
Sr. WR Carter Vassa 6’0 189
Sr. RB Justin Martinez 5’10 190
Jr. RB Antonio Salomoni 5’10 160
Jr. WR Tyre Lewis 5’9 150
Jr WR Armando Thom 6’0 155
Jr. Center Joey Daleo 6’0 300
Defensive Starters Returning:
Jr. DE Jaxon Geiger 6’2 210
Sr. LB Jonathan Ayache 6’0 196
Sr. LB Justin Martinez 5’10 190
Jr. LB Aiden Rivera 6’2 182
Sr. DB Carter Vassa 6’0 189
Jr. DB Tyre Lewis 5’9 150
Jr. DB Armando Thom 6’0 155
Special Team Starters Returning:
None
Key Newcomers:
Jr. OL Brazil Rice 6’4 250
Sr. OL Jordan Joynes 6’0 287
Sr. OL Anthony Hanig 5’9 262
So. DE Great Chifirst 6’0 205
Sr. P Evan Schultz 5’9 165
Fr. K Mariano Gomez-Acuna 5’5 135
2026 Returning Player Stats:
Axel Burkart
1,475 yards passing and 12 TDs and 287 yards rushing and 8 TDs and 12 catches for 227 yards
Carter Vassa
51 catches for 870 yards and 9 TDs
Justin Martinez
284 yards rushing and 4 TDs
Antonio Salomoni
395 yards rushing and 3 TDs
Tyre Lewis
7 catches for 122 yards and 2 TDs
Armando Thom
12 catches for 181 yards and a TD
2026 Offensive Outlook: How quickly our offensive line gels as a unit. Get the ball to our playmakers in space. Be able to successfully run the ball and eliminate dumb penalties.
2026 Defensive Outlook: Create turnovers, win the LOS and limit big plays.
2026 Special Teams Outlook: I am excited to see both our new kicker and punter perform under pressure. They have had a great off-season. We should be dratically better in both areas this year.