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MIKE MACKE
WZBD.com
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It was senior night at Bob Worthman Stadium as the Dekalb Barons came to Decatur. The Barons were the last victory for the Braves two years ago and recent improved play gave the Bellmont faithful some hope that this would be the next. With three starters out and on the mend for the Braves, however, Dekalb dominated the first half en route to a 38 – 14 victory over the home team.
The Barons got things going early on their first drive as Caiden Hinkle broke through for a 66-yard run on the first play and a hustling Christian Hatch knocked him out of bounds at the fifteen yard line. The Braves put up some resistance, making Dekalb go three plays from inside the five to find the end zone, but Hinkle scored from a yard out for the opening score. Carter Neumann hit the PAT and the Barons led 7 – 0.
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Bellmont earned a first down on their drive but stalled and attempted a punt. The snap was bobbled and Dekalb took over at the Bellmont 27. Looking for the quick strike, QB Aaden Lytle’s pass was picked off by Gavin Krull at the five and he ran it back to the 23 to give the Braves possession. Bellmont was unable to move the ball as the Dekalb defense stifled the running game of the Braves.
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The Barons scored three times in the second quarter. Lytle connected with Xavier Bell from 16 yards out to make it 14 – 0 with the Neumann PAT. Hinkle scored his second TD of the half with a 35-yard run to make it 21 – 0 with five minutes left in the quarter.
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Bellmont then mounted their best drive of the half, utilizing the wedge play twice to convert on third and one. A defensive pass interference moved the Braves into the red zone to the 16-yard line. As the rain and wind intensified with time running down, Will Franze attempted a pass to the endzone, but it was intercepted by Lytle who ran it out to the nineteen. Dekalb then ran Hinkle up the middle, seemingly looking to run out the clock, but the 225-pound running back broke through the defense and took it 81 yards for a touchdown with twelve seconds on the clock. The Neumann PAT made it 35 – 0 and the second half would feature a running clock.
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Going with the wind to start the second half, the Barons moved it to the Bellmont 15. On fourth down, Neumann booted a 33-yard field goal to make it 38 – 0. Bellmont started their next possession on their own 25. A five-yard offsides penalty moved it to the 30. Hatch, a senior, then gave the home fans who stuck it out in the cold windy weather a reason to cheer as he ran around the left end then streaked down the sidelines 70 yards for the touchdown. Jack Riehm hit the PAT against the wind and Bellmont was on the board.
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The Barons went with their second unit most of the half and were unable to create any offense. With 2:20 left in the fourth quarter, senior Aiden Miller scored from 13 yards out. The Riehm PAT was good and the game ended with the final of 38 – 14.
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For the game, Dekalb rushed for 257 yards, mostly in the first half. Bellmont rushed for 215 yards, mostly in the second half. Hatch ran it 8 times for 103 yards and the TD. Miller had 18 carries for 64 yards and a score. Senior Dylan Velez had eleven carries for 48 yards. Velez led the defensive effort with six tackles. Senior Cole Mendez had 5.5 tackles as did Michael Heyduk. Seniors Braylon Braun (2.5), Devin Gephart (0.5) and Keven Loshe (0.5) all recorded defensive stops on their final regular season home game. Senior Job Hoffman was out with a leg injury, but looks to get back for Sectional.
The Braves travel to East Noble next Friday night for the final regular season game. The sectional draw is Sunday where Bellmont will find out who and where they play on October 13.
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The Bellmont cheerleaders never stopped supporting their classmates and school Friday despite the weather.
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