[Stardust]

Bellevue running back Dylan Huff threatened to make it a one-man show Friday against the Ludlow football team by scoring three touchdowns and rushing for 103 yards in the game’s first 10 minutes. But the Tigers’ defense made it a complete team effort for a 52-0 homecoming win at Gilligan Stadium.

Bellevue evened its record at 4-4 and claimed its first Class A district victory. Ludlow dropped to 1-7 overall, 0-2 in the district. It was the 96th meeting between the two teams and the 75th year in a row the rivalry was renewed. Bellevue has won six in a row in the series, the last four by shutout.

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“Dylan started us off great and our defense always plays tough,” said Tigers quarterback Tyler Ackerson. “We were moving it and had 11 men flying to the ball on defense.”

Bellevue’s defense was so ferocious and opportunistic while posting its first shutout that there wasn’t enough time, nor the need, for Huff to do further damage after shredding the Panthers in the opening quarter.

While the defense was forcing fumbles, recovering two, and posting seven sacks, Huff rambled for 136 yards on 10 carries, with rushing scores of five yards and 58 yards. It was his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game and seventh of the year as he pushed his season rushing total to 1,184.

“We talked about hitting them in the mouth early, and setting the tone,” said Huff, a junior.

He added a 58-yard punt return for his third score as Bellevue bolted to a 24-0 first-quarter lead.

“Dylan is one of those rare athletes you get to coach,” Bellevue’s Mike Croley said. “He’s got talent and intangibles, and he sets up his blockers so well.”

Following Huff’s third touchdown, Ludlow began self-destructing. Already beset with penalty issues, the Panthers lost a pitch on their fourth possession and Bellevue linebacker Cameron Pangallo fell on it for the recovery. Two plays later, Ackerson hit Zach Poinsette with a 34-yard touchdown pass. Ackerson’s two-point conversion pass made it 32-0 just before the end of the first quarter.

Ludlow fumbled the ensuing kickoff return and Bellevue lineman Luke Hammon recovered. Following two Huff carries totaling 23 yards, Ackerson hit Justin Hatch with a five-yard TD pass. Ackerson’s conversion run made it 40-0, 23 seconds into the second quarter.

Bellevue forced the Panthers to punt on their next possession. Ackerson, who passed for 39 yards and ran for 64, drove Bellevue 76 yards for a score, hitting paydirt on a 60-yard sprint to the end zone with 5:29 left in the quarter. The Tigers went into the halftime locker room leading 46-0 and came back to the field with a second-half running clock.

At the break, Bellevue totaled 233 yards and Ludlow had minus-1. For the game, The Tigers amassed 309 yards on 28 plays while holding the Panthers to 44 yards on 44 plays.

Next up for Bellevue is rival Dayton at home in the long-running “Battle for the Paddle.”

“It’s one of the oldest rivalries in the country and it’ll be a great chance for us to get our second district win,” Bellevue coach Croley said of next Friday’s matchup.

Ludlow 0 0 0 0 – 0
Bellevue 32 14 0 6 – 52

B-Huff 5 run (Ackerson run)
B-Huff 58 run (Ackerson run)
B-Huff 58 punt return (Ackerson run)
B-Poinsette 34 pass from Ackerson (Poinsette pass from Ackerson)
B-Hatch 5 pass from Ackerson (Ackerson run)
B-Ackerson 60 run (pass failed)
B-Hazeres 18 run (run failed)

Records: L 1-7 (0-2 Class A district), B 4-4 (1-1).

Records: Ryle 3-5, 1-2 Class 6A, District 6; Campbell County 5-3, 3-0.
http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/201.../310120060