The George Rogers Clark Cardinals scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as they defeated the host Belfry Pirates, 43-35, in the Pike County Bowl at Hawyood Stadium on Friday.
The Pirates (1-1) got the scoring started on the first play from scrimmage as JJ Austin carried the ball 60 yards for the score. Nick Savage’s kick gave the Pirates a 7-0 lead.
George Rogers Clark (2-0) responded about four minutes later when JD Mastin completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Camahni John. The PAT kick tied the game up at 7-7.
With 3:52 left in the opening quarter, JB Woolum scored from 3 yards out. The PAT was no good, however. And Pirates led 13-7.
Belfry extended its lead early in the second period as Ace Caudill found the end zone on a 4-yard run. Dante Davis added 2-point conversion to make the score 21-7.
With 9:41 to go in the second quarter, Mastin connected with Athias Morris to cut the Belfry lead to 21-14.
The Pirates stretched the lead back out to 28-14 with just 0:39 left in the half on a 19-yard Woolum run.
The Cardinals drove down the field quickly as Mastin was able to score on a 3-yard run just before the half to make the score 28-21 at the intermission.
Belfry scored the third period’s only touchdown as Davis found the end zone from 3 yards out to make it a 35-21 lead heading into the final period.
George Rogers Clark started cutting into the lead early in the second period when the Cardinal defensive front broke through to tackle Caudill in the end zone for a safety to make the score 35-23. Mastin then scored on a 1-yard run with 9:22 left to make it a 35-30 advantage for Belfry. The Cardinals then took the lead with 4:39 left as Mastin connected with Zaydin Turner on a 20-yard touchdown pass to make the score 37-35.
Belfry had a chance to win in the closing seconds, but Chase Varney’s pass into the end zone was intercepted by John and returned 103 yards as time expired to make the final score 43-35.
Varney finished 9-of-16 for 56 yards and 1 interception.
Austin led Belfry with 177 yards and 1 touchdown on 16 carries. Davis finished with 9 carries for 71 yards and 1 TD. Woolum had 49 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hunter Hyton had 4 carries for 25 yards. Ace Caudill had 7 carries for 13 yards and 1 touchdown.
Mastin completed 13-of-23 passes for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 2 touchdowns.
Belfry will next play at Johnson Central on Friday in a showdown with the Golden Eagles. The opening kick is set for 7:30 pm.
Photo Courtesy of Jarrid McCormick/Williamson Daily News
