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Belton Wins Battle of The Tigers

Belton topples Stony Point with late FG to pick up first win

When it came down to the end, even after missing 2 field goals earlier in the game, Belton senior kicker Nyle Tabat came up big. With 18.3 seconds remaining in the game, Tabat knocked through a 27 yard field goal to give Belton a 24-21 win over non-district foe Round Rock Stony Point.

“I always tell the guys about not to worry about the last play, just go play the next one,” said Belton head coach Sam Skidmore. “Tabat did after missing those 2 in the first half. He didn’t hesitate to take the kick and was clutch when we needed him.”

It was a very back and forth contest from the onset, with both teams trading scores on their opening drives. Belton scoring on a 45 yard touchdown pass from QB Connor Carothers to WR Anthony Brown. Stony Point scoring over 5 minutes later on a 25 yard Hook n’ Ladder score taken in by WR Tyler O’Bannon.

Near the end of the second quarter, a 4 yard TD run by Belton RB Bryce Julian, was answered quickly with a Stony Point 92-yard kickoff return touchdown by O’Bannon to tie the game at 14. O’Bannon’s second return touchdown in as many games.

Trading scores once again in the 3rd quarter, the game remained tied and Stony Point got incredible field position, positioned at the Belton 38 yard line with just 3:30 remaining in the game. The Tigers got all the way down to the 25 yard line and attempted to put the game away with a deep ball to the end zone. Belton CB Trevione Berry was prepared and picked off the pass in the back of the end zone, returning it all the way for a 109 yard Belton TD. But, the play was called back, as 2 fouls pushed Belton back to their own 25 yard line with 2 minutes left.

Belton’s game winning position then began, as a swarm of long runs by Julian and fellow RB Darren Rector positioned the Tigers deep in Stony Point field position with less than 50 seconds to play. A trio of throws to WR Garrison Vaughn then set up what turned out Tabat’s game winner.

“Our defense stepped up twice at the end of the game and got stops to get us the ball back and give us a chance,” Skidmore said. “Our offensive line stepped up on that last drive and gave our backs tons of running room. They ran extremely hard and got us in the position to close the game out.”

Belton finished the night with 267 yards on the ground as a team, and 166 yards through the air, while the Belton defense was able to force 3 Stony Point turnovers on the night, and hold the Tigers to just 2 successful 3rd down conversions. Stony Point’s offense stalled this week, gaining just 296 total yards, 171 on the ground and 125 thru the air. Tiger RB Tyler Cleveland led the way for the offense with 114 yards and 1 TD, while O’Bannon finished the night with 128 all-purpose yards, and the 2 touchdowns.

Stony Point plays their last non-district game of the year next week against the Leander Lions (0-3), while Belton will face Round Rock (0-3) back at their home field.

By Caleb Wiesenhutter

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