DECATUR – It was a grind-it-out night for football Friday, which is one of the things the Bellmont Braves do best.
Senior running back Brad Busse carried the ball 30 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns as the Braves beat Norwell 14-6 at Bellmont to improve to 3-1 (1-1 Northeast Hoosier Conference).
Busse's first touchdown, a 1-yarder, was set up by a 25-yard pass from Jacob Bergman to Josh Hall. Bergman then found Hall for a two-point conversion pass to take an 8-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Norwell answered with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Robbie Ritter. On a night when few passes panned out, the Knights' score was also set up through the air. The Knights capitalized on a 29-yard completion from Piercen Harnish to Cale Schumm. Norwell's two-point conversion failed after Ritter's score.
The game remained tied until the fourth quarter. Bellmont, taking advantage of a Norwell fumble for good field position, went up 14-6 on another 1-yard Busse run. Norwell had staged a strong goal-line defense but Bellmont's line opened up just enough room for the score.
Norwell had one final chance to stage a late drive, but Bergman was able to intercept a long pass by Harnish to seal the game.
Norwell dropped to 0-4 (0-2 NHC). Bellmont plays at Homestead next while Norwell hosts New Haven.
