Belton turns over Bastrop eight times in 41-0 shutout

BASTROP — The non-district season is all about sufficiently preparing for the league race to the playoffs. As such, most coaches want their teams to see as many scenarios as possible until then. Belton got that chance twice Friday. The Tigers fared well against a pair of run-based squads the first two weeks of the year and got their first opportunity to see a pass-heavy team against Bastrop, but not before Mother Nature had its say. Following a delay of 2 hours and 23 minutes because of lightning that pushed the opening kickoff deep into the night, the Tigers passed both tests with flying colors, using five first-half interceptions to build a 34-point halftime cushion on their way to routing the Bears 41-0 in a game that didn’t end until just short of midnight at Bastrop ISD Memorial Stadium. Graham Chambley and Azian Wilkinson each had a pair of picks in the first half and Alex Carpenter nabbed his third in as many games, which he carried back 57 yards for a touchdown to cap Belton’s first-half scoring as the Tigers stayed in control from the start. Wilkinson had another in the second half to finish with three while Anthony Garcia also had one and Rowdy Watson later added a fumble recovery to help Belton (3-0) turn over Bastrop (1-2) eight times. Carpenter’s pick-6 came 45 seconds after Gavin Ross notched his third touchdown on a 3-yard dive up the middle that capped a 9-play, 51-yard drive directed by backup quarterback Sawyer Harbin. Ross also scored on passes of 77 and 19 yards from Will Shepard as the Tigers outgained Bastrop 433-197. Ross’ 19-yard score was set up by Chambley’s first pick. The senior hurdled one defender then spun past another to find the end zone three plays after Chambley’s interception ended Bastrop’s initial drive. The Bears punted twice and were turned over five times on seven first-half possessions. The tally remained 7-0 going into the second quarter after Belton was intercepted and misfired on a 26-yard field goal attempt on its other two first-quarter drives, though the Tigers made up for it in the next stanza. Brody Lee rumbled in from 13 yards out for a 13-0 edge early in the frame after Wilkinson returned his first pick 29 yards to set up Belton with a short field. Lee (11 carries, 46 yards) and Nash Jordan (16 carries, 153 yards) combined for 199 yards rushing while splitting duties left by Javid Planz, who started Belton’s first two games but didn’t play Friday. Ross took his next TD grab 77 yards around the right corner on a flick pass from Shepard to make the count 20-0 with 7:03 left before the break. Ross finished with 11 catches for 183 yards, with all but 28 of those yards coming in the first half, while Shepard was 13-of-19 passing for 194 yards with two TDs and two interceptions, both of which came from Bastrop’s Dwodney Thompson. Harbin finished the game under center for Belton, going 3-of-5 for 21 yards. Jordan accounted for the only score by either team over the final 24 minutes when he dashed in from 59 yards out four plays after Garcia’s interception. Bastrop got a team-high 37 yards rushing from Izaiah Regalado and 58 yards on 7-of-14 passing from Brennon Hopkins, who threw four interceptions. Cale Findlay was 5-of-10 passing for 20 yards with three picks. The Tigers return home next Friday when they host former district foe Hewitt Midway.

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BELTON TURNS OVER BASTROP EIGHT TIMES IN 41-0 SHUTOUT

JON BROOKS

Temple Daily Telegram | 9/14/2026