LaGrange pulls away from Belhaven in Blazers’ home finale

LaGrange turned a four-point halftime lead into a 24-6 advantage with two touchdowns less than two minutes apart in the third quarter, then held on to defeat Belhaven 31-15 Saturday at Belhaven Bowl Stadium.

The loss came in Belhaven’s final home game of the season. The Blazers fell to 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the USA South, while LaGrange improved to 7-2 and 5-1. The Panthers forced four turnovers and recorded 13 sacks, including two fumble recoveries that became touchdowns.

Belhaven opened the scoring after John Ross Craven intercepted LaGrange quarterback Aaron McLaughlin on the game’s first possession. Matthew Dial capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to John Davis, though LaGrange blocked the extra point. The Panthers tied the game later in the first quarter when Dezmond Jones sacked Dial in the end zone, forced a fumble and recovered it for a touchdown.

Belhaven threatened to score again in the second quarter, advancing to the LaGrange 11-yard line before Messiah Scandrett intercepted Dial near the goal line. The Panthers then drove 77 yards, and James Whatley kicked a 20-yard field goal with two seconds left in the half for a 10-6 lead.

LaGrange widened the margin early in the third. McLaughlin threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Bryant, and Anthony Lovett forced a fumble on a sack on Belhaven’s next offensive play. Zymarion Hudson recovered at the Belhaven 4, and McLaughlin scored on an 8-yard run after the Blazers’ defense stopped the Panthers on two consecutive plays.

Belhaven answered with a 24-yard field goal by Lyndell Boatman early in the fourth quarter, but LaGrange scored again 40 seconds later on a 70-yard McLaughlin pass to Kolby Crawford. With 1:45 remaining, Dial threw a 70-yard touchdown to Cannon Carruth after the Blazers forced a turnover on downs. Belhaven recovered the ensuing onside kick but turned the ball over on downs at the LaGrange 29.

Craven led Belhaven with a career-high 14 tackles and an interception. Dial completed 16 of 24 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Carruth caught two passes for 76 yards, while Davis had two catches for 33 yards. Julien Tabor led the Blazers with 54 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Belhaven is scheduled to close its season at Huntingdon next Saturday, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. in Montgomery, Alabama.

Source: Original Article