DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
KINGSLAND – It goes down in the book as a loss for the Bellmont Braves, their 62nd in the last 63 tries, but there was something different about this game, as freshman QB Charlie Faurote tossed a pair of touchdown passes and threw for over 200 yards to help the Braves put 21points on the board. That number was not enough, though, with the Norwell Knights scoring 48 for their first victory of the year.
The star of the game for the Braves was Oliver Werling, who had five catches for 108 yards, including the opening score of the game – a 42-yard touchdown catch from Faurote that lit up the Bellmont sideline and crowd and gave the Braves an early lead.
The Braves responded to a pair of Norwell touchdowns that followed with another score, showing a willingness to mix up the playbook and scoring on a reverse to re-gain the lead at 14-13. Using Werling as a decoy, the handoff went from Faurote to Werling to Corbynn Omlor and Omlor took it to the house for 32 yards.
The game was littered with turnovers and penalties. Both teams turned it over four times.
The backstory to the game was a change at quarterback for the home team, with Cayden Cassell going down for Norwell with an injury. The Knights countered with two different options at the skilled position. Hunter Kurtz played the traditional role and played it well, throwing for 167 yards on 8 of 14 passing, including an 86-yard strike on the first play of a second-quarter possession that was perhaps the most consequential play of the contest. Kurtz threw three touchdowns and scored once himself to lead the Knights.
Norwell also used EJ Morgan in more of a wildcat role. He took direct snaps on eleven plays and led all players in the game with 103 yards on the ground. His first touchdown came in the second quarter and recaptured the lead for Norwell, one that they did not relinquish. Morgan also scored the game’s final touchdown with a six-yard run in the fourth.
After scoring on the game’s first drive, the Braves fumbled on the first play of their second drive, but sophomore Jason Lykins more than made up for the turnover, scoring in the fourth quarter, but also wrestling away a fumble and forcing an other fumble in the second half.
Freshman Oliver Faurote stepped in front of two passes and made quite an impact with his two interceptions.
The Braves’ ability to open up their playbook and find ways for Faurote to use his athleticism will be reason for optimism in the season’s second half, as will the defense’s ability to create turnovers.
Norwell finished the game with 424 yards of total offense. They scored on seven of their 13 possessions and committed four turnovers.
Faurote was 13 of 20 passing and led a Bellmont offense that ended up with a season-best 272 yards.
Grayson Riehm was perfect on PATs for the Braves, making all three tries.
Bellmont could not be blamed for hoping for a rematch with the Knights on their home grass field in October when the IHSAA draws sectional opponents in a few weeks.
Join WZBD next Friday when the Braves host Huntington North.
SCORING SUMMARY
Quarter 1
7:55 – B – Oliver Werling 42-yd reception from Charlie Faurote, Riehm PAT good, 0-7
3:19 – N – Adam Mahnensmith 17-yd run, Smith PAT no good, 6-7
28.9 – N – Hunter Kurtz 8-yd run, Smith PAT good, 13-7
Quarter 2
11:53 – B – Corbynn Omlor 32-yd run, Riehm PAT good, 13-14
5:12 – N – EJ Morgan 2-yd run, Smith PAT good, 20-14
3:51 – N – Cooper Bunn 86-yd reception from Kurtz, Smith PAT good, 27-14
Quarter 3
4:57 – N – Adam Mahnensmith 1-yd run, Smith PAT good, 34-14
Quarter 4
8:15 – N – Cooper Bunn 7-yd reception from Kurtz, Smith PAT good, 41-14
6:29 – B – Jason Lykins 55-yd reception from Faurote, Riehm PAT good, 41-21
3:01 – N – EJ Morgan 6-yd run, Smith PAT good, 48-21
About the Author
