Bellaire Big Reds use powerful running game to dominate rival Martins Ferry 41-14

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David Burnworth | October 22, 2023

The Bellaire defense showed early what kind of day they were going to have when Logan Edgar planted Alexander Reese in the grass for a short loss after Reese made a nice grab on a short throw from quarterback Ayden Ludolph. The Bellaire defense made quick work of the Purple Riders offense then the Big Reds offense used a 44-yard run by Mac Pettigrew to aid in their first touchdown that came on a powerful run by Drew White after Jayson Lemly connected on his point-after kick we had a 7-0 game with 9:20 showing on the first quarter clock.

Ludolph would scan the field and throw the rock to Reese for a gain of 17 yards but the momentum did not last long for the Purple Riders due to Ludolh getting sacked by Chickie LaMotte for a loss of two. After disposing of the Purple Riders offense, the Bellaire offense was right back at it with White racing to a 36-yard run as he broke left and turned on the afterburners. The five-play, 84-yard drive ended on a 6-yard Pettigrew, who also broke to his left to find the end zone making this a 14-0 game with 4;36 left in the quarter.

Ludolph would be sacked again at the 4:03 mark of the quarter by Austin Wiggind and Luca D’ Aquilla for a loss of seven as the Bellaire defensive line was dominated allowing the rest of the defense to fly around and make big plays. The Purple Riders defense looked to have stood tall when Andrew Leiffer slung Pettigrew down for a short loss but a personal foul penalty took away the negative play and gave Bellaire 15 yards. The Big Reds would get a 22-yard run from Pettigrew to take Uncle Mo into the 2nd quarter.

Just two seconds into the 2nd quarter White burst into the end zone to make this 21-0 game. The drive went for 55 yards are lasted for seven plays. At this point of the game, Bellaire looked to be a step quicker than the Purple Riders and much more excited to be playing the game.

Lemley would get to Ludolph for a 3-yard tackle for loss as the quarterback at no time to make anything happen as the Bellaire defense was dominating and having fun. A minute later Ludolph was sacked by LaMotte for a loss of eight. The Big Reds offense would get a 24-yard run by White then the drive came to an end with a 16-yard touchdown run by Maurice Webb, who broke multiple tackles on his way to the score making this a 28-0 game. The drive totaled 54 yards taking 7 plays.

After the Bellaire defense kept the clamps on the overwhelmed Martins Ferry offense they would see their offense need just one play to make this a 34-0 game, when Pettigrew sprinted for a 59-yard score on a run he broke to his right cutting back to his left going untouched into the End Zone.

Before the half came to a close Tev’n Williams got loose for a 12-yard Purple Riders run and then it appeared the Purple Riders had a nice catch and run by Luca Shane but White jarred the ball loose with a nice hit with Graham Campbell recovering it.

White got things going for Bellaire with 9:06 left in the third quarter when he blasted off for a gain of twenty-five. A nice hit on Pettigrew caused the ball to fall on the grass where the Purple Riders Shayden Fogle pounced on it with 8:29 showing on the clock. Williams picked up 25 yards on the ensuing drive for the Purple Riders helping to set up a 13-yard touchdown scrambling run from Ludolph making this a 34-7 game.

Wiggins would get another sack on Ludolph with 0;59 seconds left in the quarter but Ludolph recovered nicely when he threw a nice pass to Maurice Barnett who made a diving catch to make this a 34-14 game with 17.7 seconds showing on the clock.

Ludolph hit Turner Krol who looked to pitch it to a big lineman #53 (Not on the roster) for a short gain on fourth and long.

Bellaire would go on a 10-play, 52-yard drive capped off by a LaMotte 2-yard touchdown run to make this a 41-14 game. The game would end with David Murphy recovering a Martins Ferry fumble and nearly returning it for a long touchdown.

My Stats

Purple Riders

58 plays

175 yards (41 in the first half)

Passing 6-12

Big Reds

46 plays

382 yards (All rushing)

Passing 0-0