BELMONT – Potosi running backs Jace Udelhofen and Alex Wright each scored two touchdowns on the ground to lead the top-ranked Chieftains over Belmont, 24-6, in a hard-hitting Six Rivers Conference prep football game at BHS on Friday, Sept. 9.
    The victory– coupled with Highland’s loss to Black Hawk on Friday night– thrust the Chieftains (4-0 overall, 3-0 in SRC) into sole possession of first place in the league standings.
    The Braves (2-2, 2-2) gave their guests all they could handle throughout the first half.
    Five plays after recovering a fumble at the Potosi 23-yard line, newly converted fullback David Stoney cashed in the turnover by bulling in from six yards out to put the Braves ahead 6-0.
    Potosi answered right back with a seven-play, 61-yard scoring drive capped by Udelhofen’s 3-yard TD run to tie the score at 6-6.
    Then, on their next drive, Wright closed a 50-yard trek with an 18-yard TD jaunt to put the Chieftains ahead for good at 12-6.
    Udelhofen tacked on a 10-yard scoring run in the third quarter to extend the lead to 18-6, and Wright added a 5-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
    Potosi finished the night with 388 total yards to Belmont’s 252 yards, outgaining the Braves 290-230 on the ground and 98-22 through the air.
    The Braves also hurt themselves with four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) and they also committed 11 costly penalties for 80 yards.
    “Our boys played a pretty good football game. We were able to run the football and move the chains on a very tough Potosi defense. We simply made way to many mistakes to stay in the game. Many times our drives were stalled because of penalties. Mentally we need to stay focused throughout the entire game. You can’t expect to win when you false start eight times,” said Belmont head coach Jason Weittenhiller.
    Jeremy Richardson gained 83 yards on 15 carries and caught two passes for another 22 yards for the Braves, while Brandon Wedig ran the ball 22 times for 82 yards on the night.
    Defensively, Richardson led the way with 13 tackles. Mitch Pederson added seven tackles, and Wedig made five stops and had an interception.
    Belmont hosts Black Hawk (3-1, 3-1) in their annual Fair Game at BHS on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
    “Black Hawk will be another very tough football game. If we can eliminate the penalties, it should be a close game till the end,” Weittenhiller said.

Potosi…...  6  6  6  6 - 24
Belmont...  6  0  0  0 -  6
B – David Stoney, 6 run (run failed)
P – Udelhofen, 3 run (kick failed)
P – Wright, 18 run (kick failed)
P – Udelhofen, 10 run (kick failed)
P – Wright, 5 run (kick failed)

Team Stats: First Downs- P 15, B 16. Rushing- P 35-290; B 50-230. Passing- P 6-17-1, 98; B 2-12-3, 22. Fumbles-Lost- P 2; B 1. Penalties- P 5-50, B 11-80.

Belmont Leaders: Rushing (Att-Yds-Td)- Brandon Wedig 22-82-0. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Td-Yds)- Avery Willborn, 2-12-3-0, 22. Receiving (Cat-Yds-Td)- Jeremy Richardson, 2-22-0.