Belhaven University Athletics

JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven struck first and went into halftime down just four points, but two LaGrange touchdowns less than two minutes apart in the third quarter sent the Blazers to a 31-15 loss Saturday at Belhaven Bowl Stadium.

John Ross Craven led Belhaven with a career-high 14 tackles and an interception, while Matthew Dial threw touchdown passes to John Davis and Cannon Carruth in the Blazers' final home game of the season.

Belhaven fell to 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the USA South. LaGrange improved to 7-2 and 5-1.

The Panthers forced four turnovers and recorded 13 sacks, turning two fumble recoveries into touchdowns. Belhaven's defense produced two takeaways of its own and held LaGrange to 295 total yards, but the Panthers scored on consecutive possessions early in the second half to turn a 10-6 lead into a 24-6 advantage.

Craven gave the Blazers an early opportunity when he intercepted Aaron McLaughlin at the LaGrange 37 yard-line on a deflected pass on the game's opening possession. Dial converted a third-and-six with a seven-yard completion to Julien Tabor, then finished the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Davis on third-and-four. The extra point was blocked, leaving Belhaven ahead 6-0 with 9:55 remaining in the first quarter.

LaGrange took the lead through its defense. Dezmond Jones sacked Dial in the end zone, forced a fumble and recovered it for a touchdown with 4:30 left in the quarter. 

Belhaven answered with a possession that carried into the second quarter and reached the LaGrange 11. Tabor opened the drive with a 12-yard run, Dial added an 11-yard gain and Kaleb Browning converted a third-and-one. The Blazers could not finish, however, as Messiah Scandrett intercepted Dial near the goal line.

The defense forced a punt on LaGrange's next possession, but another interception ended Belhaven's ensuing drive. The Panthers then traveled 77 yards in 10 plays before the Blazers held at their own 3-yard line. James Whatley's 20-yard field goal with two seconds remaining sent LaGrange into halftime ahead 10-6.

The game shifted early in the third quarter. After forcing a Belhaven punt, LaGrange moved 52 yards in four plays, with McLaughlin finding Ashton Bryant for a 30-yard touchdown at the 10:27 mark.

On the Blazers' next offensive snap, Anthony Lovett forced a fumble on a sack, and Zymarion Hudson recovered at the Belhaven 4. The defense pushed the Panthers backward on consecutive runs before McLaughlin scored on an eight-yard keeper with 8:52 left in the quarter.

Jimmy Byrd helped Belhaven get a possession back later in the third, sacking McLaughlin and forcing a fumble that Jaivyn Carter recovered. Dial followed with a 23 yard completion to Davis, while Tabor and Clayton Mains each added 13-yard runs. Lyndell Boatman finished the nine-play, 51-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 24-9.

LaGrange answered 40 seconds later when McLaughlin connected with Kolby Crawford for a 70-yard touchdown.

Belhaven added its final score with 1:45 remaining. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Dial found Carruth for a 70-yard touchdown on the first play of the possession. The Blazers recovered the ensuing onside kick and reached the LaGrange 29 before the Panthers stopped the drive on fourth down.

Dial completed 16 of 24 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Carruth caught two passes for 76 yards, Nehemiah Philip had five receptions for 58 yards and Davis finished with two catches for 33 yards. Tabor led the ground game with 54 yards on 12 carries.

Tre Chaffier and Tariot Snowden each added seven tackles behind Craven, while Brayden Bullock finished with five. Mathew Cacamo broke up three passes. Byrd recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, including the sack and forced fumble.

Kyle Norris averaged 54.0 yards on three punts, including kicks of 59 and 55 yards.

Belhaven closes the season at Huntingdon next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Montgomery, Ala.

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