Box Score PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The Belhaven football team turned in one of the best games of the season, but couldn't quite overcome the University of Pikeville (KY) in a Mid-South Conference Cross Divisional game Saturday afternoon. The Blazers fell to the Bears on the road 38-34 and will wrap up the regular season Saturday at Bethel University (TN).

Pikeville (KY) struck first early in the second quarter on a Marquis Terrell two yard touchdown run. The play capped a six play 80 yard drive and with Ryan Wilson's extra point the Bears found themselves up 7-0. It would prove to be the beginning of an explosive second quarter that saw the two teams combine to put 44 points on the board.

Belhaven stormed back at the 10:19 mark when quarterback Ian McGinnis crossed the goal line on a one yard touchdown plunge. The extra point failed leaving the Blazers one point behind Pikeville at 7-6.

It didn't take the Bears long to get back in the end zone thanks to the arm of their quarterback A.J. Graham. Graham found wide receiver Avious Griffin open for a 25 yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 14-6.

Down by a touchdown and two-point conversion, McGinnis and the Belhaven offense went back to work driving the ball 65 yards on six plays to tie the game. A nine yard pass from McGinnis to wide receiver Lamiquell Roberts accounted for six of the eight points. A 45 yard pass from McGinnis to wide receiver Justin Kenyon setup the touchdown and a the two point conversion was successful thanks to a three yard toss to running back Rashad Wynes.

After rallying to tie the score, Belhaven looked on as Pikeville (6-4) then regained the lead at 17-14 on a 34 yard field by Ryan Wilson with 4:10 to play in the second quarter. Pikeville then made it a two possession game on a 57 yard touchdown reception by Amis. Graham put the ball on target for his second touchdown pass of the game pushing the score to 24-14.

The Blazers eventually rallied to take their first lead of the day early in the third quarter. McGinnis tossed a touchdown to Kenyon in the final minute of the second quarter and then connected with fullback Patrick Wilson for a 24 yard touchdown pass for a 27-24 Belhaven lead with 11:35 to play in the third.

The Blazers used the momentum on defense and forced Pikeville to turn the ball over on downs at the Bears 49 yard line. Belhaven's offense moved the ball to the one, but could not punch it in. McGinnis was stopped on a keeper on first and goal and then tried again on second a goal.

In what would be the play of the game, Desmond Davis dislodged the ball from McGinnis and Josh Sammons scooped it up and returned it all the way to the Belhaven 18 yard line. Five plays later the Bears had six more points on a two yard run by Amis, resulting in a potential 14 point swing for Pikeville.

The Bears pulled out to a 38-27 advantaged on a 50 yard pass from Graham to Amis to start the fourth quarter, making it a two score game once again. Belhaven stayed close when McGinnis fired his fourth touchdown of the game with 11:02 to play. Kenyon caught his second touchdown and with the extra point the Blazers cut the deficit to 38-34.

Unfortunately, the Belhaven couldn't find the end zone again. They had one more possession in the fourth quarter, but it ended with a Curtis Westerfield punt. Pikeville took over with 4:04 on the clock and held the ball until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

Belhaven was led by McGinnis who passed for 390 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, McGinnis ran for 96 yards and one touchdown accounting for 486 yards of total offense. Justin Kenyon had a career high 11 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns. As a team, the Blazers racked up a season high 547 yards of total offense.

Defensively, Alonzo Peavy led the Blazers with nine tackles followed by Darius Wren with eight tackles, including 1.5 for a loss.

Pikeville was also led by their quarterback A.J. Graham who completed 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Graham carried the ball six times for 106 yards, garnering 340 yards of total offense of his own. Jordan Amis made four catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Quanthony Fletcher recorded seven tackles followed by Desmond Davis who picked up six on the day. Josh Sammons made five tackles and returned a Belhaven fumble 81 yards to setup a Bears score.

The Blazes will wrap up the season next Saturday when they head to Bethel University (TN) for an MSC West Division contest at 1:30 PM.