JACKSON, Miss. – In a game that came down to the final play, Belhaven (8-2, 6-2 USAS) ended up on the wrong end of a 25-22 decision against Maryville (5-5, 5-2 USAS). The Blazers end the regular season with a program-record eight wins in 2022.
 
The Scots scored first at the 11:35 mark of the opening frame, connecting on a 14-yard pass to go up 6-0 following a blocked PAT. The Blazers responded quickly with six of their own as Tim Johnson hit Kolbe Blunt in stride for a 35-yard touchdown down the sideline to put the Blazers up 7-6.
 
After a Maryville drive stalled, Blunt broke free for an 80-yard rushing score to extend the Blazers' lead. The Scots responded with a touchdown late in the first quarter to get within a point at 14-13.
 
Both teams had a couple of long drives stall out in the second, but it was Maryville capping off a long 12-play, 56-yard drive with a nine-yard rushing touchdown to take a 19-14 lead with a minute and a half to play in the first half.
 
The teams traded possessions over the third quarter without finding a score, and it was the Scots holding a five-point advantage heading into the final 15. Belhaven found paydirt to regain the lead with 8:50 to play thanks to a Kolbe Blunt nine-yard rush off the left side. Johnson then found Brooks Brymer for the 2-PT conversion to go up 22-19.
 
Maryville had an answer once again. After converting on two fourth downs, the Scots found the endzone to take the lead at 25-22 with 4:21 to play. The Blazers then blocked their third PAT of the day.
 
The Belhaven offense got what looked like a go-ahead 30-yard touchdown reception, but a holding penalty erased the score. A sack forced a long fourth down, and unfortunately Johnson was sacked again to give the ball back to Maryville with under 10 seconds remaining.
 
Offensively, Johnson finished 10-for-25 with 129 yards and a score. Blunt led the way on the ground with 140 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. KJ Hickman hauled in a team-high four catches for 53 yards.
 
Connor Fordham led the Blazers' defense with 19 total tackles, just three shy of the single-game Belhaven record. Fordham also finished with four tackles for loss and two sacks. Carlton Brown recorded 11 tackles and 0.5 sacks on the day. Linebacker Luke Fondren had two sacks as well.
 
Belhaven wraps up the 2022 regular season at 8-2, finishing second in the USA South in their first year with a record of 6-2.

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