Belton rebounds from first loss with win over Ellison Posted On: Saturday, Oct. 24 2009 06:01 AM By Angel Verdejo
Killeen Daily Herald

BELTON — The Belton Tigers had any dreams of a magical undefeated season dashed last week in Copperas Cove.

But the Tigers made quick amends to their only loss — and needed roughly six minutes to do so. Belton jumped on Ellison early in the first quarter and never looked back, staying tied atop District 12-5A with a 47-20 homecoming win Friday night at Tiger Field.

Belton's win, combined with wins from Copperas Cove (Thursday over Shoemaker) and A&M Consolidated (Friday over Harker Heights) keep a three-way tie for first place atop the district. Bryan, the other team that was tied for first, lost at Temple on Friday.

"This group is special and they understand the importance of playing well," Belton coach Rodney Southern said. "I knew they would bounce back."

The Tigers (7-1, 4-1) led 21-0 midway through the first quarter,

scoring the third touchdown with 5:53 remaining while the Ellison (3-5, 1-4) had been on the field for just two plays with the second a fumble.

Belton took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field, going 64 yards on seven straight run plays. Quarterback Jonathan Paysse, who started for injured junior David Ash, scored from 2 yards out.

Ash, who suffered a high ankle sprain against Shoemaker on Oct. 1, didn't suit out for the third consecutive game, but was on the sidelines without the protective boot he wore the last two weeks (the boot was removed Wednesday).

The Eagles started their first drive at their 33-yard line, but fumbled on their second play. Paysse connected with T.J. Sholars on the ensuing play for a 39-yard score.

"The big thing we try, and it doesn't always work, is to start off that way," Belton coach Rodney Southern said. "As good as they've done running the football, we felt like if we could jump on them, it puts them in a hole."

Belton recovered an onside kick and needed just five plays to take a 21-0 lead. Adrian Henderson scored the 4-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers up three scores just six minutes into the game.

It nearly got away from Ellison, as the Eagles fumbled again on their next drive, but picked off Paysse two plays later.

Following the interception, Ellison put together its best drive of the game, going 80 yards on 10 running plays. Eric West finished the drive, scoring from seven yards out, but not only did Belton's Tim Bower blocked the extra-point attempt, but he returned it the other way for a safety and 23-6 lead less than minutes into the second quarter.

"Belton is very good and you can't make the mistakes we made against them," Ellison coach Buddy McBryde said. "The turnovers we made, you just can't do that against Belton – they're too good and they score too quick."

Belton outgained Ellison 312-234, but the Tigers took advantage of short field position and a one-dimensional Eagle offense.

Ellison quarterback Tarron Burch finished 0-for-5 passing with two interceptions. The Eagles were stopped on a fourth-down punt attempt when a bad snap didn't let Kyle Skinner get the kick away and he was instead dropped for a 15-yard loss and eventual Belton field goal.

In all, the Eagles turned the ball over five times and had five total fumbles, losing three.

Anthony Huber led the Tigers with 89 yards rushing 89, while Paysse threw for 96 yards and two touchdowns. David Cobb had a team-high 73 yards rushing for Ellison.

"We shot ourselves in the foot way too many times," McBryde said. "We're doing everything we can other than glue the ball to their hands."

Contact Angel Verdejo at averdejo@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7564.