FAYETTEVILLE, NC. – The Belhaven Football team earned their first USA South victory in a back-and-forth affair Saturday, prevailing over Methodist 34-27. The Blazers improved to 3-1 (1-1 USAS) as they approach the season's midway point.
 
Methodist jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after capitalizing off of a turnover. Belhaven responded quickly as quarterback Tim Johnson connected with Zach Hammett in the endzone to tie the game.
 
The Monarchs regained the lead with 5:46 to play in the opening frame on a three-yard run. Johnson and the Blazers' offense went back to work, as the signal-caller found Phabian Carter from 34-yards out to even the score.
 
Methodist found paydirt again with 13:08 left in the first half. Belhaven once again answered as running back Devin Daniels punched it in from eight yards out to even the game at 20.
 
The home team retook the lead late in the first half on a touchdown run from a yard out. The Monarchs took the 27-20 advantage into the locker room.
 
Both defenses made halftime adjustments, as neither team lit up the scoreboard in the third quarter.
 
Belhaven found the equalizer once again with just over 11 minutes to play on Johnson's third touchdown pass of the day. The junior found D'Ante Gallashaw for a 33-yard score to tie things up at 27.
 
The Blazers' defense came up with another huge stop on the following possession. Kolbe Blunt then capped off a long 13-play, 54-yard drive with a 10-yard score to put Belhaven up 34-27.
 
After both teams were forced to punt, Methodist got the ball back with 1:49 on the clock. The Monarchs managed to move the chains once before TJ Hersey intercepted a Monarch pass to seal the win with 49 seconds remaining.
 
Tim Johnson finished the day 15-of-27 for 211 yards, three scores, and an interception. He also ran for 66 yards on 13 attempts. Kolbe Blunt once again surpassed the century-mark with 101 yards and a score on 18 carries. Devin Daniels also added 29 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
 
Blunt also led Belhaven in receiving, racking up 52 yards on three catches. Phabian Carter hauled in two passes for 38 yards and a score. D'Ante Gallashaw also had a touchdown reception.
 
The linebacker duo of Connor Fordham and Luke Fondren led the Blazers defensively. Fordham finished with eight tackles, including a sack. Fondren racked up seven tackles with a sack. TJ Hersey came up with the game-clinching interception for a Blazers' defense that held Methodist scoreless in the second half.
 
Belhaven returns home for the first in a month next Saturday, October 8th when they take on North Carolina Wesleyan. Kickoff between the Blazers and Bishops is slated for 12 PM.
 
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