David Franklin’s arm couldn’t overcome Delon Lewis’ feet.
The senior rushed 44 times for 253 yards and four touchdowns in leading Belton past Truman 25-19 at Independence All-School Stadium Friday night.
Meanwhile, Franklin, Truman’s quarterback, completed 10 of 13 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Patriots. He also scored one rushing touchdown.
His two late touchdown passes led a gallant Truman effort to overcome a 25-7 deficit.
But as was the case all night Truman couldn’t stop the potent Belton rushing game. The Pirates had 64 carries for 397 yards and 26 first downs.
All four touchdowns were the result of long, time-consuming drives.
“I’m not tired,” Lewis said of his effort. “I thank God and then my family. I couldn’t do anything without the line. It allowed me to run the ball.”
Much of Lewis’ yardage came on second and third efforts. It often took several Patriots to bring him down.
Franklin’s 61-yard touchdown pass to Adam Farrell brought Truman to within 25-19 with 5:41 remaining.
But Truman wouldn’t get the ball again as Belton resorted to his superb ground game to run out the clock on 11 carries, including eight by the workhorse Lewis for 32 yards.
“We came together as a team,” Franklin said. “But coach said there are no moral victories. We had our chances but didn’t take it.”
Belton’s first long scoring drive went 84 yards on 11 plays with Lewis crashing over from the one with 29 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Belton went 68 yards in 11 plays on its next possession. Lewis scored from the two.
Truman came right back with a 65-yard, eight-play drive to close to within 12-7 at halftime. Franklin ran the final 10 yards for the score after going 21 yards on the third play in the march.
Belton, on first possession in the second half, went 80 yards in 10 plays for an 18-7 lead. Lewis bulled in from the final 4 yards.
Then the Pirates put together their most impressive drive and one that clinched the victory. Lewis scored from the one as the Pirates went 88 yards in 19 plays. Randy Tyler kicked the extra point.
But Truman battled back to score two touchdowns within 43 seconds. Franklin passed 20 yards to Austin Ford for a touchdown with 6:24 remaining.
Truman recovered the ensuing onside kick and two plays later, Franklin found Farrell on the receiving end of a 61-yard touchdown bomb.
Farrell broke free from several would-be tacklers and raced the final 40 yards for the score.
But it wasn’t enough.
Still, Truman played much better after losing the opener to Ruskin 45-6.
“It was a lot better,” first-year Truman coach Jeff Flayed said. “I appreciated the efforts of everyone. I feel good about the effort.”
In addition to Franklin, Truman had two other standouts. Jarred Barron had several outstanding kickoff returns and Scott Agee punted four times for a 43-yard average.
“Floyd’s team played hard,” said Belton coach Kevin Keeton, a Truman graduate. “We needed a win as much as anyone. I was proud of the team. We found a way to win.”
