DANE FUELLING, REX BREWER & DAVE NATHAN
WZBD.com
The state’s longest losing streak. A tough schedule with just four home games. The expectations of success.
Head coach Blake Blaker has plenty of obstacles in his way to capture Bellmont’s first victory since October of 2021, but he also has a factor in his favor: buy-in.
The boys (and one girl) at Bellmont have bought what Blaker has been selling and the numbers tell the story. New names. Athletes from other teams. Guys coming back who had previously quit.
This Friday it will be time to put the talking behind them. The Braves will have to get it done on the field.
Charlie Faurote remains the Bellmont QB and he will have a couple of extra weapons at his disposal this year, with one being his big brother Henry, who is expected to be one of the ball carriers for Coach Blaker in Week One at Madison-Grant.
The Argylls are coming off a down year (5-5), which followed back-to-back great seasons in 2023 and 2024, but both of those ended with losses in sectional championship games (one to AC, the other to SA). The game between the two schools is apparently a one-off contract, with the Braves likely to face a third opening opponent in as many years on Week One in 2027.
Any success for the Braves this season will have to come from increased yardage on the ground. The team’s leading rusher last year was Jason Lykins with just 291 yards. Lykins has moved to the line this season and the team had just 703 yards rushing total in ten losses a year ago.
If the Braves can make gains in the rushing game with Henry Faurote, Corbynn Omlor and others, it will open up the passing game for Charlie Faurote, who threw for 1000 yards as a freshman.
The key to the rushing game will be a more competitive line. Without Grady Baker, the team will need to find a new leader in the trenches. They’ll rely heavily on Jayden Zamora and Lykins, along with Braxton Arriaga on both sides of the ball.
The ultimate storyline for this team, though, is how the players respond to coach Blaker’s plan for the program. You can listen to every game for the Braves all season long, but listen here to what the boys have to say themselves about the 2026 season:
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