Belhaven University Athletics

BREVARD, N.C. - Belhaven reached Brevard territory twice in the first quarter but came away without points, and the Tornados pulled away behind 336 rushing yards for a 51-8 win Saturday afternoon at Ives-Lemel Family Field.

The Blazers (1-3, 0-1 USA South) trailed 7-0 after one quarter. Brevard (4-0, 1-0 USA South) scored twice in the final four minutes of the first half, then added two more touchdowns in the third to build a 35-0 lead. Belhaven answered with a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive that carried into the fourth quarter, but the Tornados responded with an 83-yard touchdown run on their next offensive snap.

Brevard opened the game with an eight-play, 94-yard drive capped by Marvin Reed Jr.'s 38-yard touchdown run. Belhaven's first possession showed promise. Julien Tabor broke a 24-yard run on second-and-20, and the Blazers advanced to the Brevard 28 before a fourth-and-one run was stopped short.

A short Brevard punt gave Belhaven another opportunity at the Tornados' 34 later in the quarter. Ian Burleson connected with Nehemiah Philip for 13 yards to move the ball to the 16, but a holding penalty pushed the Blazers back, and the possession ended with an interception.

Brayden Bullock gave Belhaven the ball back with a second-quarter interception at the Blazers' 35. Brevard's defense held, however, and Reed scored on runs of 33 and five yards on the Tornados' next two possessions. The second came with 37 seconds left in the half and made it 21-0.

Brevard extended its lead with an 11-play, 57-yard drive that took 6:29 off the third-quarter clock and ended with Christian Conley's six-yard touchdown pass to Herbert Pringle IV. Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel added a 58-yard scoring run later in the period.

Belhaven put together its longest scoring drive of the day on the ensuing possession. Matthew Dial found Draten Norwood for a seven-yard third-down conversion, Tabor ran for 15 yards to reach the Brevard 27, and Dial finished the drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Locastro 16 seconds into the fourth quarter. Johnathan Lampkin completed the two-point conversion pass to make it 35-8.

Tabor led Belhaven on the ground with 51 yards on 17 carries. Dial completed 10 of 19 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Philip had two catches for a team-high 42 yards, while Will Jones added a 36-yard reception on the Blazers' final possession. Kyle Norris averaged 50.8 yards on six punts, with four traveling at least 50 yards.

John Ross Craven and Terrell Sutton shared the team lead with seven tackles apiece. Craven recorded three tackles for loss, and Bullock finished with five tackles and the interception.

Brevard outgained Belhaven 513-155, including 336-2 on the ground. Reed ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns, Fauntleroy-McDaniel had 118 yards and a score, and King Faison added 101 yards and a touchdown. The Tornados recorded eight sacks.

Belhaven returns to Belhaven Bowl Stadium to host NC Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for noon.

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.