SOUTH WHITLEY – A dominating start carried Bellmont past Whitko Friday night in Class 3-A Sectional football action.

The Braves led 14-0 after the oening stanza en route to a commanding 35-13 win over the host Wildcats.

Bellmont, now 5-5 on the season, advances to play at Fort Wayne Concordia (7-3) next Friday night. Concordia defeated Lakeland 28-14 Friday night.

Bellmont rushed for 259 yards in the win Friday night. Chase Ellsworth had a big night for the Braves with 12 carries for 103 yards. He had a rushing touchdown and also threw a touchdown pass.

Whitko, which rushed for 361 yards last week in a home win over Tippecanoe Valley that earned them a share of the Three Rivers Conference title, was held to just 178 yards on the ground Friday night.

Quarterback Ethan Nicodemus scored on a five-yard run for Whitko. Trace Killian scored on a nine-yard run for the Wildcats.

Nicodemus led the Whitko offense with 15 carries for 81 yards.

Top rusher Tanner Hughes, who went over 1,000 yards in last week’s win, was held to just 31 yards on 12 rushes.

Killian had 48 yards on seven carries and Devin Gerding 18 on six for Whitko.

The contest featured a total of 17 penalties combined on the two teams, but just one turnover on a fumble by Whitko.

The Wildcats finish their season at 6-4.