Hendricks, who recorded three interceptions, was a bright spot in a loss that ended a three-game winning streak for Holy Cross (3-3). Just as pressing after the game was the knee injury sustained by two-way lineman and team captain Mauro Correnti in the third quarter.
A player rolled over on Correnti's right knee, forcing him out of the game. The Lancers had little in the way of an update after the game.
"I'm holding my breath and praying," coach Frank Holmes said.
Allentown committed four turnovers in less than eight minutes in the first half.
But Holy Cross netted just seven points from the sequence.
The culmination of an ugly first half came when a Holy Cross punt was blocked on the goal line. Allentown recovered on the 5-yard line and scored a touchdown with 11 seconds left in the half to take a 13-7 lead into the locker room.
The Redbirds continued to provide opportunities for the Lancers in the second half, lofting two interceptions in the third quarter. Though one was returned for an 84-yard touchdown by Hendricks, Holy Cross still could not take a lead.
A 15-yard personal foul atoned for a missed chance on fourth and 5, giving Holy Cross a first down at the Allentown 20 later in the third quarter. Still, Holy Cross could not turn the opportunity into points.
"We made some mistakes that came back to hurt us," Holmes said. "But these are things that everybody goes through in a football season."
Allentown improved to 6-0. The team was led by Norman Williams, who rushed for well more than 200 yards and for three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 23 and 15 yards in the fourth quarter.
Allentown 6 7 2 14 – 29
Holy Cross 7 0 8 0 – 15
A: Norman Williams 4 run (kick failed)
HC: Jimmy Hickey 6 run (Chris Mirabelli kick)
A: Michael Curry 5 pass from Nick Palladino (Markus Colin kick)
A: Safety
HC: Khalid Hendricks 84 interception return (Tyler Hannon catch from Logan Hill)
A: Williams 23 run (Colin kick)
A: Williams 15 run (Colin kick)
Contact Chris Melchiorre at rallysports@phillynews.com.
