JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Blazers football team came up just short against Louisiana College in their first American Southwest Conference game of the season. The Blazers put together a long drive in the final minute but fell 20-14 in favor of the Wildcats. 

Belhaven got off to a great start in the first quarter taking possession from the opening kickoff. The Blazers drove 75 yards in 14 plays to score and take the lead on a Brad Foley 1-yard touchdown run. Louisiana College was able to answer in the second quarter when Landon Lalonde hit Jarred Simpson for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Despite the touchdown, a missed extra point saw Belhaven still leading by a score of 7-6.

The Blazers answered back quickly when Hunter McEachern hit Tyrus Black for a 56-yard touchdown pass to cap a quick four play, 75-yard drive just past the halfway point of the second quarter. The Blazers would take their 14-6 lead into halftime.

The Wildcats of Louisiana College came out strong in the second half and scored on a 25-yard pass from Lalonde to Simpson and converted the two-point attempt to level the score at 14-14 with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter. 

The Wildcats would go ahead later in the third on a 26-yard pass from Lalonde to Simpson, their third touchdown connection of the night. Louisiana College would miss another extra point attempt and lead 20-14 with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Late in the third quarter, the Blazers would go for it on 4th and 5 from the Wildcats 32-yard line. McEachern would hit Joey Walden for what seemed a 32-yard touchdown pass but Walden would be penalized for offensive pass interference negating the score. 

With just under four minutes remaining in the game, the Wildcats would take over on the Belhaven 36-yard line after a short punt. The Blazers' defense held strong on 3rd and 6 from their own 15-yard line. Louisiana College would miss a 34-yard field goal attempt with under a minute left that would've put the game out of reach. Belhaven would take over with 55 seconds left to play. The Blazers drove down the field with only one timeout remaining and were set up at the Wildcats' 11-yard line with six seconds to play thanks to a 35-yard completion from McEachern to LaMarcus Caradine. They would have time to take two shots into the endzone but were unable to get the tying score falling by the final of 20-14.

Offensively, the Blazers were led by an aggressive passing attack. Quarterback Hunter McEachern went 30-57 for 358 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. Brad Foley led the rushing attack for Belhaven with 51 yards and a touchdown. Mario Asagunla also had 34 yards on the ground. Joey Walden led all receivers with 13 receptions for 166 yards. Tyrus Black followed with a pair of catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.

 Individually on defense, Belhaven was led in tackles by Kenneth Carradine who had nine on the night. Demetrius Brokenberry had two tackles for loss while TJ Hersey had three pass break-ups and an interception. Phazion Locke had a forced fumble which he also recovered. 

As a team, Belhaven threw for 358 yards and rushed for 126 yards. Belhaven generated 484 yards of total offense. The Blazers defense allowed 325 yards through the air, 50 yards on the ground and generated two turnovers.

The Blazers will be back in action next Saturday, September 21st as they travel to Belton, Texas to take on Mary Hardin-Baylor. Kickoff for that ASC contest is set for 6 PM.

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