Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala.- The Belhaven football team earned its first shutout win since 2001 thanks to another dominating performance in a 35-0 Mid-South Conference West Division win at Faulkner University on Saturday afternoon. The Blazers last shutout of an opponent came in a 21-0 victory against the University of West Alabama and Saturday's was just the third in school history. The other was a 35-0 decision against Union College (KY) in 2000.

The defense picked up right where it left off last week forcing Faulkner (5-4, 3-2 MSC) into four turnovers after producing seven takeaways last week at Lindsey Wilson. After Belhaven's first drive ended on an interception, the Blazers defense stepped up and made its first big play of the game. On second down and 12, Faulkner quarterback Josh Hollingsworth fired a pass that went in and out the hands of his receiver Kahne Cooper. The ball popped up in the air and linebacker Darius Wren was there waiting for it. Wren returned it five yards to the Eagles 30 yard line giving the offense great field position to work with.

Belhaven (5-4, 4-1 MSC) only needed four plays to punch it into the end zone for the early lead. Junior running back Kadero Edley raced to the end zone on a 20 yard run for his seventh touchdown of the season. Joao Bellmonte, subbing for an injured James Bryan, drilled the first extra point of his career to make it 7-0 with 6:55 to play in the first quarter.

The Blazers struck again in the second quarter after the defense setup the offense in great field position after forcing the Eagles to punt from their own 15 yard line. Belhaven got their hands on the ball at the Faulkner 48 and quickly moved into scoring position. Quarterback Alex Williams hit wide receiver Kylan Pollard on a fourth and one play that not only kept the drive alive, but covered 29 yards placing the ball at the 10. Running back Rashad Wynes capped the drive with an eight yard touchdown run. Bellmonte's extra point extended the lead to 14-0 with 6:01 to go until the break and it would prove to be the final points of the first half.

Belhaven's defense arguably had the game clinching play early in the third quarter that broke the spirit of the Eagles. Defensive lineman Reese Unger stripped the ball from running back David Amos at the Faulkner 12 yard line and fellow lineman Joshua Herring picked it up and returned it to the end zone for a touchdown. Punter Devin Williams had pinned the Eagles at their own nine yard line on a 48 yard punt. Poor field position for the Faulkner offense was commonplace on Saturday afternoon.

Leading 21-0, Unger got is hands on a David Cochran pass at the Belhaven 45 and ran down the left sideline before being driven out of bounds at the Faulkner 28 yard line. Three minutes later, the Blazers were back in the end zone again on Wynes second touchdown of the game. Wynes took the pitch from Williams on a sweep, broke a tackle and trotted in for the TD.

Belhaven would hit pay dirt one more time early in the fourth quarter resulting in the final score of 35-0. It was the best drive of the game for the offense, covering 72 yards on 12 plays while erasing nearly seven minutes off the clock. Wynes had a 32 yard run on a second and 19 play that opened the door for the touchdown. Williams plunged over the goal line on fourth and one to put the seven points in the books with 12:14 to go in the fourth quarter. At that point, the Blazers defense held back the Eagles to preserve the shutout.

“It feels good to see this team get a win like this today,” said Belhaven Head Coach Joe Thrasher. “They have worked hard all year and fallen short in some close games, but today they proved what kind of team they are. I thank God for my coaching staff and their diligent work getting these guys ready. The defense once again dominated from start to finish and I'm proud of how hard they played. Offensively we established a great running game and also held the ball in time of possession.”

Belhaven's defense completely baffled a Faulkner offense that came into the game averaging over 481 yards per contest. On Saturday, the Eagles were limited to just 97 yards and only 36 yards were generated through the air. Hollingsworth completed only two passes for -3 yards before leaving the game late in the second quarter. Hollingsworth entered the weekend fourth in the nation in total passing yards with 2299. He was fifth in the country in yards passing per game (287.4). Allen was the team's best performer with 26 yards on 12 carries and one catch for 14 yards.

Defensive back Craig McDonald led the charge for Belhaven with a team high 11 tackles and one interception. Calvin Lewis had six tackles and was in on a pair of sacks. Wren had a three tackles, a sack, and an interception.

Edely broke the century mark on the ground with 110 yards and a touchdown to guide the Belhaven offense. Wynes finished the day with 80 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns followed by Justin Gaines with 57 yards on 11 touches. Williams completed five of 14 passes for 71 yards and found Pollard on two of them for 36 yards. As a team, Belhaven generated 318 yards with 247 of them coming on the ground.

Linebacker Nate Copeland had a game high 15 tackles and one sack to lead the Faulkner defense. Safety Zeke Pigg had 10 stops and Andrew Mahan chipped in with seven on the day.

The Blazers will now turn their attention to the University of Pikeville who comes to H.T. Newell Field next week. Belhaven is also still in the hunt for the MSC West Division title and a berth in the playoffs, but must win out in order to have a chance to accomplish both. Saturday's kickoff is slated for 1:30 PM.