Bellefontaine ended its six-game losing streak in memorable fashion Friday night, defeating Tecumseh 34-26 in front of the homecoming crowd. The victory marked the Raiders’ first win since opening week and provided a welcome boost as quarterback Blake Loomis returned to the lineup following an injury.

Loomis had been sidelined since suffering an injury in Week 3 against Marion Harding, but his return immediately paid dividends for the Bellefontaine offense. The Raiders’ quarterback completed 22 of 25 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns without throwing an interception, helping Bellefontaine outlast Tecumseh in an entertaining back-and-forth contest.

Bellefontaine struck first in the opening quarter when Loomis connected with Sutton Daring for a 2-yard touchdown pass. Noah Torsell added the extra point to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.

Tecumseh answered to tie the game at 7-7, but Bellefontaine seized control in the second quarter. Loomis found Bryant Carter for a 23-yard touchdown before connecting with Aven Caudill on an 11-yard scoring pass. Both touchdowns were followed by successful extra points, giving the Raiders a 21-14 advantage at halftime.

The passing connection between Loomis and Daring continued in the third quarter. The duo hooked up for a 26-yard touchdown, extending Bellefontaine’s lead to 28-20 after Tecumseh had added another score.

Tecumseh continued to battle, scoring twice in the second half to keep the pressure on the Raiders. Bellefontaine, however, had an answer when it needed one most.

Carter provided the decisive offensive play in the fourth quarter, breaking free for an 18-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt failed, but the score pushed Bellefontaine’s advantage to 34-26, where it remained through the final whistle.

Carter was a key contributor on the ground, finishing with 125 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. He also caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Loomis, giving him two total scores on the night. Loomis added 19 rushing yards on two attempts.

Through the air, Daring led the Raiders with nine receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Dillon Jones and CJ Butler each recorded six catches, finishing with 60 and 54 receiving yards, respectively. Caudill added an 11-yard touchdown reception.

As a team, Bellefontaine totaled 409 yards of offense, including 261 passing yards and 148 rushing yards. The Raiders also protected the football, committing no turnovers, while Tecumseh surrendered possession twice.

Beyond the statistics, the victory carried significance for a Bellefontaine team that had been searching for a way to turn its season around. The return of Loomis gave the offense a major lift, while the Raiders delivered a performance worthy of the homecoming crowd.

Bellefontaine will look to build on the momentum from its 34-26 victory as the season continues, with Friday’s result providing a much-needed breakthrough after six consecutive defeats.