MARSHALL, Texas – The Belhaven Blazers fell to East Texas Baptist 46-13 Saturday morning and early afternoon in a rain-soaked contest.
 
Belhaven fell behind the Tigers early in a contest that was moved up seven hours due to rain from what was left of the system from Hurricane Patricia. However, the entire game was played in a steady rain, which grounded the Air Raid offense.
 
The rain caused the Blazers to fumble four times in the game and also affected receivers and quarterbacks in the passing game.
 
ETBU jumped out to a lead on the opening drive of the game with a 92-yard drive. The Tigers would go on to score three more touchdowns in the first half, carrying a 26-0 lead into the half.
 
Belhaven did cause to blocks on extra point attempts in the game to go along with a big day on special teams.
 
Nate Williams capped the Blazers first drive of the second half with a 13-yard touchdown catch from Clayton Webb.
 
However, big plays cost the Blazers as ETBU had touchdown runs of 80, 69, and 43 yards. ETBU also had a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown.
 
Nathan Thomas caught the final score of the game for Belhaven, a three-yard pass from Webb.
 
Belhaven had 174 yards passing in the game and also had 114 yards of positive rushing, but eight sacks limited the Blazers to just 43 yards on the ground.
 
Williams finished with eight receptions for 89 yards to lead the Blazers in the game.
 
Xavier Brooks led Belhaven defensively with 10 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, while also having a sack, forced fumble and recovery and a pass break up.
 
Alvin Vaughn had nine tackles in the game.
 
Parker Rymer had both extra point blocks on Saturday, while Jeremiah Beck and Rashun Smith also had a punt block each in the game.
 
Belhaven had eight tackles for a loss in the game, including four sacks. The defense also forced two fumbles in the game.
 
Isaac Nelson had the lone interception for the Blazers in the game. Nelson also had seven tackles.
 
Belhaven will return on the road next Saturday, with a trip to Abilene, Texas for a contest against McMurry University.