Temple Dominates Belton 50-15

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 17, 2021

Temple over Belton 50-15, 2021 Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Wildcats Roll Over Tigers for Ninth-straight Win in Series

First played in 1907, the rivalry between the Belton Tigers and Temple Wildcats is a historic one with plenty of bad blood. In its early days, the contest often featured intense post game brawls between supporters of both schools. In the early 1930s, the off-field chaos surrounding the game reached such a level of intensity that a judge issued a moratorium on the game in 1934; and the schools did not play each other for over 60 years.

On Friday night at Tiger Stadium in Belton, the Tigers and Wildcats faced off once again in a District 12-6A showdown. The Wildcats entered the game at 4-2 overall and 3-0 in district. The Wildcats' two losses came against 6A juggernaut Austin Westlake and 6A powerhouse Magnolia West. Including Belton's forfeiture of last year's contest due to COVID-19, the Wildcats also had an eight-game winning streak over the Tigers dating back to 2011. Belton, meanwhile, entered the contest at 3-3 overall and 2-1 in district. Following last week's 57-21 loss to Killeen Harker Heights, the Tigers went into Friday's game looking for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

From the beginning, the Wildcats asserted dominance on both sides of the ball and jumped out to a 28-9 lead in the first quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, Temple quarterback Reese Rumfield connected with receiver Tr’Darius Taylor for a 75-yard touchdown to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. On Temple’s second drive, the Belton defense forced a three-and-out; and the Tigers’ special teams forced a safety. On the ensuing Belton drive, Wildcat defensive back Kaleb Hill intercepted a pass and returned it to the Belton 15-yard line. Shortly thereafter, Temple running back Samari Howard scored on a three-yard touchdown run. After the Wildcats blocked a punt on the next Belton drive, Howard found the end zone a second time on a two-yard touchdown run.

The Wildcats then blocked a second punt which defensive back OT Peoples recovered and ran into the end zone for a touchdown. Belton was finally able to respond on the next drive when quarterback Ty Brown connected with receiver Slade Leblanc for a 69-yard touchdown pass. Midway through the second quarter, running back Mikal Harrison-Pilot scored on a two-yard touchdown run; and lineman Tomas Torres caught the two-point conversion to put Temple ahead 36-9.

In the second half, the Wildcats’ dominance continued. Midway through the third quarter, Samari Howard found the end zone a third time on a one-yard touchdown run. Following Temple linebacker Faylin Lee’s interception on the ensuing Belton drive, running back Tavaris Sullivan scored on a one-yard touchdown run which put the Wildcats ahead 50-9.

Early in the fourth quarter, Belton wide receiver Mason Ramm scored the game’s final points on a 46-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers failed the two-point-conversion attempt, however, leaving the score at 50-15.

After the game, Temple coach Scott Stewart praised his team’s focus, especially in light of playing a rivalry game on the road. He said that he stressed the importance of playing one week at a time and felt like his players had bought into that mentality. Stewart also stressed that he always saw room for improvement but was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

With the win, Temple improves to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in district. Next week, the Wildcats will return home to host the Killeen Shoemaker Wolves (3-3, 2-2.) Belton, meanwhile, falls to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in district. The loss puts the Tigers in a four-way tie for the district’s final two playoff sports with three games remaining. The Tigers will travel to Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen on Thursday to face one of the teams also in that tie, the Killeen Ellison Eagles (3-4, 2-2.)

by Steve Thomas