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Ashley Park

Sophomore running back and wide receiver Jake Brasington celebrates as Bellaire gains yards by a complete pass. Brasington had a total of 27 rushing and receiving yards against Pasadena.

Varsity football crushed Pasadena High School in a 42-14 blowout win at Butler Stadium on Sept. 12.

Bellaire entered the game hot with senior running backs Rydell Nathan and Chance Diebner scoring four rushing touchdowns in the first half. Junior wide receiver Cameron Johnson added to the quick start with a touchdown reception of his own. The elite rushing skills from Bellaire’s running backs set the tone quickly for the game as Pasadena had no response in the first half.

“I just found my blockers,” Diebner said. “I tried to maneuver behind them.”

Diebner was a significant part of Bellaire’s offense, recording a total of 55 rushing and receiving yards. Despite the huge performance from the offense, Diebner feels that Bellaire could have done much more in their win against Pasadena.

“We’re supposed to beat them by more,” Diebner said. “We should have done a lot better, and we should have come together as a whole better.”

However, Bellaire’s offense was not the only obstacle for Pasadena. Bellaire’s defense held Pasadena to only two touchdowns. Blocking field goals and forcing fumbles helped carry the momentum throughout the offense and defense.

“We tried to go alignment, assignment, pursuit on defense today,” senior defensive lineman Marshall Smith said. “Our first half was pretty solid, and our offense did their job, scoring 45 points.”

Smith contributed to the defense by pressuring Pasadena’s quarterback and forcing multiple incomplete passes and losses of yardage.

“It was a forced fourth down, and we had five yards left for them,” Smith said. “I sacked the quarterback, and I think that was my personal highlight for today’s game.”

Advancing to a 2-1 overall record, the Cardinals will face Alief Hastings at Delmar Stadium at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18.