Photo by Joe Lovell Members of the Bellaire football team and cheerleaders gather around the SPARKY Trophy Saturday afternoon at Nelson Field after the Big Rees defeated Ohio 7 rival Martins Ferry, 41-14, in the 120th meeting.
BELLAIRE – Drew White picked a great time to have a great day. The Bellaire senior quarterback rushed for a career-high 214 yards and scored two touchdowns in the first half as SPARKY remained in possession for the Big Reds.
Led by its “Cherkoee” offense, Bellaire rushed for 373 yards and five scores in a 41-14 victory over Ohio 7 rival Martins Ferry on Saturday afternoon at a wet Nelson Field in the 120th game between the two schools. Bellaire is now 59-54-7 in the all-time streak, which dates back to 1905. The Big Reds’ third straight win is also the first since 1995-97.
“I feel good,” White said. “I couldn’t have done it without my helpers. They did a great job all day. I have to give all the credit to those guys up front.”
He cites Quentin Scott, Dalton Smelko, Keegan Davis, Casey Regonis, Joey Nixon, Chickie LaMotte, Graham Campbell, Logan Edgar and Jason Lemley.
White’s scoring runs covered 8 and 1 yards. He was named the Bellaire Player of the Game and also the Great American Rivalry Series MVP. Martins Ferry’s Tev’n Williams was named his team’s MVP.
“We played really well the whole game,” Bellaire head coach Mark Bonnar said. “Our offensive line and defensive line dominated.”
When asked about White, the veteran head coach didn’t wait long to answer.
“He’s a great running back. He’s a great athlete.” Bonnar said.
White’s 8-yard run around his left end capped a 3-play, 59-yard march that included a 44-yard sprint by Mack Mack Pettigrew from shotgun. Lemley failed the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
After forcing the Purple Riders (5-5) to punt, the Big Reds drove 83 yards in just five plays to make it 14-0. White had back-to-back runs of 46 and 23 before Pettigrew stuck around the left end from 6 yards out. Lemli was faithful again.
White’s 1-yard run on the first play of the second quarter capped a 7-play, 55-yard drive. Lemli extended the lead to 21-0.
The big reds weren’t finished by any means. A 17-yard inside pass from Pettigrew to Maurice Webb — Bellaire’s only pass of the day — on third down made it 28-0. Webb rounded the right end and weaved his way past the Bellaire sideline just inside the pylon.
A three-and-out by Martins Ferry gave Bellaire possession at their own 41 after Williams punted. The speedy Pettigrew only needed one play to go the distance as he started around the right edge before cutting back and easily outrunning everyone to the paydirt.
The kick fell short, leaving the hosts ahead 33-0 at halftime.
Pettigrew picked up 154 yards on 16 carries and scored twice.
Bellaire’s defense shut down Martins Ferry’s explosive duo of quarterback Ayden Ludolph and tailback Tev’n Williams for most of the game.
“We just couldn’t get anything going offensively and we really took 21 points away with three personal foul penalties there early on.” That’s what Martins Ferry head coach Justin Kropka said. “That was my speech to the team before the game. I told them to be careful in a match like this
and they are still caught.”
Williams finished with just 57 yards on 13 carries and Ludolph was eight on 11 carries. He was also 7 of 12 for 36 yards through the air.
Ludolph scampered in from 13 yards out to make it 33-7 after Jordi Lavall’s PAT. The Purple Riders made it 33-14 after Ludolph connected with Maurice Barnett on a 10-yard punt and Lavall secured the layup.
However, LaMotte bulled his way from 2 yards out to cap the scoring.
“As disappointed as we were with our performance in the first half, I was equally pleased with the way we played in the second half. That was the way Purple Rider football should be played.” added Kropka. “The kids fought and fought. Some teams would have been down 33-0, but our kids didn’t. I am proud of their efforts.”
Both coaching staffs will have to wait for the final standings to see where they will play next week in the first round of the Division VI Region 23 playoffs. According to playoff guru Joe Eitel, Martins Ferry now has a home game secured as a No. 8 seed with a win or loss. Bellaire, meanwhile, was also assured of a playoff spot before Saturday’s contest following Friday night’s results.
“We’ll go and play wherever we’re told” Bonnar said.
GAME NOTE
-In pregame ceremonies, Bellaire’s Logan Edgar and Martins Ferry’s Baron Lucy received a Scholar-Athlete Scholarship from members of the Great American Rivalry Series.
