Belt Huskies tame Tigers in playoffs
A fierce, game-long pass rush disrupted the St. Regis Tigers’ offense while the Belt Huskies potent running game ran up a big lead during their 57-6 Western B-8 player first-round playoff game this past Saturday in Belt.
The Huskies scored early and often, beginning with a three-yard, drive capping run with just under nine minutes to play in the first quarter. Belt ran for two-point, after touchdown (PAT) score to give them a 7-0 lead.
Following the ensuing kickoff, St. Regis fumbled, giving Belt the ball on the Tigers’ 15-yard line. They scored from one yard out, and with another PAT kick, boosted their lead to 14-0 with 7:01 to play in quarter number one.
On St. Regis’ next possession, the Belt defense, which pressured St. Regis sophomore quarterback throughout the game, got the ball back on downs, setting up their offense at the St. Regis 22.
Several plays later, Belt scored for the third time in the opening 12 minutes of play, giving them a 21-0 lead with a successful PAT kick.
The Huskies defense got the ball back on downs again on St. Regis’ next possession and as time ran out in the first quarter, they had moved to the Tigers’ six-yard line.
On the first play of the second quarter, Belt’s running game struck for another touchdown and PAT kick, boosting them to a 28-0 lead.
Another defensive stop and a long return set Belt up on the St. Regis 36 where they picked up a pair of first downs and, with 8:39 to go in the first half, scored from 10 yards out. The PAT kick increased the Belt lead to 35-0.
Belt forced yet another St. Regis punt on the Tigers’ next possession, then capped a long drive with a one-yard TD plunge that gave them a 41-0 lead at halftime.
The Huskies scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter, one on a three-yard TD keeper, the other on an eight-yard TD run. At the end of the third quarter, Belt was up 42-0, invoking the Mercy rule which keeps the game clock running almost non-stop.
St. Regis avoided a shutout when quarterback Conner Lulis hooked up with senior wide receiver Hunter Stolla on a 12-yard passing touchdown. The PAt try failed, leaving the final score 57-6 as time ran out.
Tigers’ head coach Jesse Allan had high praise for the Belt team.
“Tough squad, well coached, top-notch program in Belt,” Allan said. “It certainly wasn’t our best day of football, but all of the credit goes to the Belt Huskies”.
Allan also had good words for his team, particularly his group of seniors.
“We’re going to miss our seniors for sure”, he said. “We couldn’t have gotten into the post-season without their work and commitment this past season and, really, the past four years”.
The loss ended the Tigers season with a 6-3 overall record. They were the number four seed from the West following a season-ending regular season win over Troy last weekend.