DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
DECATUR – The Bellmont Braves did a lot of things right Friday night in front of a big crowd on Homecoming Night on a beautiful evening for high school football, but it simply was not enough to beat the New Haven Bulldogs or end their 38-game losing streak. The visitors spoiled the Bellmont party and got back on the bus with a 45-22 victory in a game that lasted more than three hours, riddled with penalties and turnovers from both sides.
Grady Baker took a break from wearing his football helmet to put on the Homecoming crown. He was named Homecoming King and then was joined as royalty by his girlfriend, Lela Cutler, the 2025 Homecoming Queen, at halftime.
What did the Braves do well?
-They created turnovers, recovered fumbles, and shut out New Haven on their first four point-after attempts of the contest.
-Freshman quarterback Charlie Faurote completed passes to five different receivers and threw for 178 yards, while also running for 53. The team implemented what NFL teams call “the Tush Push” and used it effectively throughout the game.
-They went to halftime with hope and knew that they’d need to come up with a defensive stop on New Haven’s first drive in order to keep it a two-score game. The homecoming crowd enjoyed the halftime festivities with a mood of positivity surrounding the game.
Where did the Braves struggle again?
-Outside of one big run by Jason Lykins on a pitch from Faurote, the running game struggled against New Haven’s defensive line, averaging just three yards per carry when Lykins’ 28-yard carry in the second half is removed from the totals.
-The Braves put the ball on the ground three times, something they simply could not afford to do if they wanted a chance to win.
-The team struggled to stay at full strength as the three-hour game rolled on. Injuries, especially the one to Jason Lykins in the second half, and fatigue took their toll and widened the margin of victory for the visitors.
When the Braves punted to end their first two drives and failed to convert on fourth down on their third, it looked like it was going to be another one of those games, but the home team adapted their game plan and seemed to make changes that were positive. The 316 yards gained at the end of the night were generally a pretty good number for the offense.
A real killer in the first half for Bellmont was their first turnover. A botched snap and handoff gave New Haven the ball on the Bellmont 44. DJ Simpson, who ended the game with an astonishing 256 yards on the ground, scored 90 seconds later to double the Bulldog lead at 12-0. Jacob David picked off Tre McCraney in the end zone on the failed NH two-point attempt.
The two teams traded fumbles over the next minute and Bellmont put together an 80-yard touchdown drive that ended with Faurote scoring on a sneak. He replicated it on the two-point try and Bellmont trailed just 12-8.
Belief began to grow in the Bellmont camp after the touchdown and the defense came up with a stop, forcing New Haven kicker Bryan Villegas, who had scored a hat trick against the soccer team two weeks ago on WZBD, into a 43-yard field goal, which was missed.
Bellmont did not take advantage, however, as they immediately fumbled the ball right back to the Bulldogs. 30 seconds later it was Donald Gage walking into the end zone on busted coverage for a touchdown that was too easy, giving the visitors their 18-8 lead at halftime.
The first half included 16 combined possessions for the two teams, twelve penalties, three missed PAT attempts and six turnovers.
Those penalties continued for New Haven, who ultimately handed the Braves over 150 extra yards with a total of 17 penalties.
After New Haven were forced to punt on their opening possession of the second half, there was most definitely belief that the Braves could break their streak, but their next offensive possession lasted less than 50 seconds and DJ Simpson scored on the very first play after Easton Curtis’ punt, running it in from 70 yards out for a back-breaking touchdown.
The two teams traded touchdowns from there on out, with Lykins and Faurote each scoring for Bellmont in the losing effort.
Faurote ended the game with 39 pass attempts, with the Braves opening up the throwing game in the second half.
Tre McCraney was 11 for 25 for 159 yards for the Bulldogs.
Bellmont will face a DeKalb team at home in Week 8 that defeated New Haven by 20 points earlier this season. The Bulldogs will face the toughest road trip in the conference by going to East Noble. The Braves will be at East Noble in Week 9.
SCORING SUMMARY
Quarter 1
8:20 – NH – Ethan Wake 1-yd catch from Tre McCraney, 2-pt attempt failed, 6-0
Quarter 2
8:30 – NH – DJ Simpson 1-yd run, 2-pt attempt failed, 12-0
5:10 – B – Charlie Faurote 3-yd run, 2-pt attempt good (C. Faurote run), 12-8
1:26 – NH – Donald Gage 25-yd catch from McCraney, Villegas PAT no good, 18-8
Quarter 3
9:39 – NH – DJ Simpson 70-yd run, Villegas PAT no good, 24-8
4:39 – B – Jason Lykins 5-yd run, 2-pt attempt failed, 24-14
2:28 – NH – DJ Simpson 20-yd run, Villegas PAT good, 31-14
Quarter 4
8:44 – NH – Moses Simeon 31-yd run, Villegas PAT good, 38-14
4:27 – B – Charlie Faurote 3-yd run, 2-pt attempt good (Faurote run), 38-22
2:13 – NH – Rodney Harden 14-yd run, Villegas PAT good, 45-22
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