JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven Football opened conference play in dramatic fashion on Saturday, edging Brevard 23-20 in overtime at Belhaven Bowl Stadium. 

The Blazers struck first midway through the opening quarter, capping a 65-yard drive with a 28-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. Brevard answered quickly with a long touchdown pass on its next drive to move in front 7-3 late in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Belhaven put together a promising drive deep into opposing territory, but a turnover ended the threat. Brevard then sustained an 18-play drive that chewed up over 10 minutes of clock and ended with a field goal, extending the deficit to 10-3 at halftime.

Brevard opened the third quarter with a methodical scoring drive, pushing its lead to 17-3. Belhaven responded swiftly as Brock Morris connected with Wyatt Locastro for a 21-yard touchdown pass, trimming the margin to 17-10.

In the fourth quarter, a 23-yard field goal brought the Blazers within four. Later in the period, Morris found Locastro again-this time on a 53-yard strike down the right sideline to give Belhaven its first lead since the opening quarter with 5:34 remaining.

Brevard managed to drive into field-goal range in the closing minute and converted from 41 yards out to tie the game at 20-20, forcing overtime.

In overtime, the Belhaven defense stood tall, with Dee Gray intercepting a pass on a comeback route just short of the red zone to end Brevard's opening possession. The Blazers then leaned on the run game to set up a short field goal, which was converted from 11-yards out to seal the 23-20 victory.

Morris finished 13-for-24 passing for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Wyatt Locastro led all receivers with three catches for 128 yards and two scores, including the go-ahead strike in the fourth quarter. Tyler Craft added 60 receiving yards, while TJ Hatch contributed 54. The Blazers rushed for 134 yards as a team, paced by Caleb Gallashaw with 66 yards on 15 carries.

Defensively, Dee Gray led all tacklers with a career-best 11 stops and added a crucial interception in overtime. Wyatt Beck and Tre Chaffier tallied nine tackles each, with Chaffier also recording a sack. The Blazers finished with three sacks and six pass breakups.

The Blazers continue their conference slate next Saturday vs. North Carolina Wesleyan. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 AM. 

For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. To support Belhaven Athletics check out Team Green Giving.