BELPRE - Finally, a step forward instead of another step back.
Belpre snapped a 13-game losing streak dating back to 2010, routing visiting Southern 48-13 Friday night as tailback Manny Tullius ran for four touchdowns and quarterback Tavian Miller threw for 143 yards and two scores as the Golden Eagles also took advantage of five Tornado turnovers.
''It's a big win,'' said Belpre head coach Greg Adams. ''The players, the program, the coaches, the community, the school all deserved a big win. We needed that.''
Article Photos
Belpre players hold up their helmets in a post-game celebration on the field after their 48-13 win over visiting Southern Friday night to snap a 13-game losing streak. (Photo by Steve Hemmelgarn)
After not winning since the next-to-last game of the 2010 season, Adams' first at the Belpre grid helm, the Golden Eagles put on their best overall team performance in a long time Friday.
Robby Postlewaite tipped, then intercepted a pass just 1:35 into the game, but the Belpre couldn't move and punted. However, a Southern player touched the ball at the 3 and Daniel Law recovered at the Tornado 1, with Tullius scoring two plays later.
Southern, though, countered with a TD at 7:08 of the first quarter, but missed the extra point to still trail at 7-6.
Belpre was not to be denied on this night however, with Miller connecting on two passes to Tyler Martin for 34 and 33 yards before lofting a 12-yard TD strike to Tyler's twin brother Cody Martin in the right front corner of the end zone at 1:58 of the first period for a 14-6 lead, and Tullius scored from six yards out at 7:09 of the second stanza for a 20-6 lead.
Cody Martin intercepted a blocked pass and ran it in from 14 yards for a TD at 6:12 of the second and Tullius rambled 27 yards up the middle for a score with only 42.4 seconds left in the half for a commanding 34-6 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Belpre made it 42-6 on back-to-back plays, a 15-yard Tyler Martin reception followed by Tullius getting loose down the sideline for a 66-yard scamper to paydirt at 7:55 of the third quarter.
Then after a fumble recovery by Tyler Cinnamon at 5:41 of the third, Miller found Tyler Martin with a 9-yard TD toss at 1:11 for a 48-6 score.
In all, Belpre (1-2) amassed 337 yards to 227 for Southern (1-2). Tyler Barton tallied both Tornado TDs in rushing for 183 yards, while Tullius had 179 on the ground and Tyler Martin grabbed four aerials for 91 yards as both Martin brothers had TD catches on their 18th birthday Friday.
