Tigers topple Sea Dragons

Up by seven points late in the fourth quarter, Sullivan's John Belizaire was looking to overcome a first-half misstep.

The senior made a big hit, then a momentum changing interception to boost the Tigers to a 20-7 win over Rickover Naval Academy last Saturday at North Park University.

"He was kind of down on himself at halftime," said Sullivan head coach Steve Saa about Belizaire. "We told him keep playing ball you'll get it back, you've got time to make up for that play. He pretty much sealed the deal for us. I'd say that was the most important play of the game."

Following the interception running back James Brown raced for 93-yard touchdown soon after to shut the door.

"James Brown -- bar none he's probably the best running back in our conference," Saa said. "He played his ass off. He's a real tough kid."

Before halftime Sullivan (2-5, 2-4) led 6-0 before a long pass play put Rickover up 7-6 and left Belizaire disappointed.

As the Sea Dragons surged towards Sullivan's end zone the senior's follow through on a hard hit broke-up a would-be interception.

On the next play, a pass headed his way again and Belizaire snatched the ball out of the air and stunted the drive, sealing the win.

In the first half Jonathon Gaines put the Tigers ahead 6-0 but Sullivan struggled to get going other than Gaines' score.

"We came out flat in the first half, I really don't know if they were flat or really focused," Saa said.

Linebacker Bishop Hayden had a strong game in the win, forcing a fumble and taking it 57 yards downfield for a score and 14-7 lead.

Along with Hayden, two other freshmen are playing a big part on defense as well. Demetrious Lanier and Lennie Stephenson both stepped in as the starting defensive ends, solidifying a strong defense while allowing others to play just one way.

"We came out late and put them in lineup (Saturday); they played awesome, and they're only going to get better," Saa said. "That really helped us, now we don't have to have the O-line going both ways."

The fourth quarter score by Brown was a thing of beauty.

"It was like the parting of the Red Sea," Saa said. "A hole opened up and he took off and we were able to get out of there with a 'W.'

Sullivan plays Payton, 11 a.m. Saturday at Jorndt Field. Meanwhile, Rickover will travel to Chicago Academy to face the Cougars, 1 p.m. Saturday.