Football Game Preview: Lancaster Catholic Crusaders vs. Halifax Wildcats

The Lancaster Catholic Crusaders will head out to face off against the Halifax Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Lancaster Catholic is coming into the contest hot, having won their last three games.

Lancaster Catholic proved they can win big two weeks ago (they won by 35) and on Friday they proved they can win the close ones too. In a tight game that could have gone either way, they made off with a 17-16 victory over Schuylkill Valley. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Crusaders have posted since August 23, 2024.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Halifax). They breezed past Boiling Springs to the tune of 52-20 on Friday. Considering the Wildcats have won six matchups by more than 19 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

Lancaster Catholic better keep an eye on Cohen Bechtel. He was instrumental in Halifax's win, rushing for 188 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 8.2 yards per carry, and also picking up 36 receiving yards. Bechtel is becoming a predictor of the Wildcats' success: when he posts at least 100 rushing yards the team is undefeated (and 2-3 when he doesn't).

Halifax was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 328 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.

Halifax didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. Eli Miller was the real danger to the passing game, picking up two interceptions all by himself.

Lancaster Catholic's record is now 6-4. As for Halifax, their record now sits at 7-3.