This was the game that they were supposed to win, against a team with a 1-5 record. Yet, they’re down one with half a minute left and 65 yards from the end zone. Sophomore quarterback Will Hazen airs the ball out to junior receiver Nathaniel Allen as he streaks downfield as it falls into his arms. He bobbles it, secures it and stumbles with it through the endzone. Bellaire snapped their five-game losing streak, winning 30-25 against Westside on Oct. 7. 

They stole the show from Westside. As the crowd of Wolves ran to the bottom of the stands to celebrate a last-minute touchdown, junior outside linebacker John Corder knew that it wasn’t over. 

“We knew we were gonna come back this whole week,” Corder said. “We’ve been preaching this; we were ready for it. We gathered around and said it’s not over. We will win this.” 

Despite Westside’s 99-yard touchdown drive that left 30.4 seconds on the clock, a single-point deficit and a speechless Bellaire crowd, Corder knew. 

“It was a hell of a catch,” Corder said. “I saw the ball in the air. It wasn’t a great spiral and Nathaniel bobbled it a little bit but he eventually came down with it and made the play. It was just special to see the ball in the air and it ended up in 83’s hands.”

He couldn’t describe it. For number 83, Allen, all he felt was joy. 

“That’s why I love football, man,” Allen said. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s been a while since I felt this good, about football especially.” 

Allen’s catch advanced Bellaire 45 yards and stopped the clock. Within those last seconds Hazen found sophomore Chance Diebner in the endzone to take a 5-point lead with 10 seconds left. 

Special teams and the defense maintained the lead to give Bellaire their first victory of the season. With this in mind, Allen could only share his appreciation for his fans.

“Thank you for everyone who came out here for us,” Allen said. “For the band, cheer, spirit squad and parents despite all our losing. Thank you for always coming back out and cheering for us.”

Bellaire will look to start a winning streak against Westbury this Oct. 13 at Butler at 7 p.m.