Photo by Kim North Bellaire quarterback Jake Heatherington (2) looks downfield for a receiver as Shadyside’s Colton Gorby (54) closes in during Saturday afternoon’s game at chill-filled Nelson Field.

BELLAIRE — There are wins and then there are ‘team’ wins. Bellaire got both Saturday afternoon on the natural grass surface at chilly Nelson Field.

Needing a victory to keep their hopes of a home playoff game alive and facing a tough week, emotionally, following the sudden death of a father of two players, the Big Reds (4-4) used a late first-half touchdown and a kickoff return for six to start the second half en route to a 49-6 triumph over visiting Shadyside (1-7).

Bellaire is ranked ninth in Division VI, Region 23, just percentage points out of the final home-field spot. It hosts state-ranked Union Local next Saturday and finishes the season at arch-rival Martins Ferry.

“It’s been a tough week and we wanted to feature them (Ray Ray and Mac Mac) in the first half, but I think they had some nerves,” Bellaire head coach Mark Bonar said. “In the second half they settled down and did what they do. Even when Mac Mac ran in there at the end, he did it behind the second-string line. All he wanted to do was get in the end zone, and he did.”

Leading 7-6 with time winding down in the first half, senior quarterback Jake Heatherington lobbed the ball down the right sidelines that teammate Terrin Frazier outleaped a Shadyside defender for in the end zone. The 35-yard strike came on a third-and-26 with 50.8 seconds left on the clock. Lucas Littell booted the second of his six PATs for a 14-6 halftime advantage.

Senior Ray Ray Pettigrew caught the second-half kickoff on the run at his own 25. He started up the left side of the field before cutting back to his right near midfield. It was all smooth sailing from there as the margin suddenly increased to 21-6.

“I was very blessed and beyond blessed to be in that situation,” Ray Ray said. “I know my dad was looking down on me. I was glad I could do that for my team.”

Bellaire’s defense held Shadyside to three-and-out and Heatherington found a wide-open Jakob Dowling for 33 yards down the middle of the field for a 28-6 reading.

Junior linebacker Chickie LaMotte picked off a Ben Wach pass at the Tigers’ 45.

The Big Reds marched the distance on eight plays, with sophomore Bradyn Beckett capping it with a 1-yard plunge to make it 35-6 after three quarters.

The fourth quarter was all Pettigrew. With approximately 75 family and friends in attendance to watch Ray Ray and Mac Mac play with heavy hearts, the two did not disappoint.

On Bellaire’s first possession of the final panel, Heatherington found Ray Ray behind the defense for a 60-yard scoring connection. Then, with a little more than six minutes left, Mac Mac followed the blocking of the second-string offensive line and weaved his way to the promised land from 42 yards out.

“That brought tears to my eyes,” older brother Ray Ray admitted. “I’m proud of him.”

Shadyside, which was bottled up for most of the afternoon, avoided being shut out when Wach threw a laser that Dylan Booth caught in the front left corner of the end zone for a 10-yard TD in the second quarter. The PAT was no good.

For the game, the Tigers managed 52 yards rushing on 30 carries and 73 via the air on nine completions on 25 attempts. Wach threw all but one of those aerials.

“No offense. They shut us down pretty good,” Kernik said. “In the first half we hung in there, but we let them score late and then they returned the kickoff. In our last offensive series of the half, we kind of got out of what we were doing and probably should have stayed with the plan, but give Bellaire credit. They shut us down and got the momentum by scoring late and kept it going.”

Meanwhile, Bellaire was evenly balanced with 185 yards through the air and 145 on the ground.

Senior Brayden Roth led the ground game with 87 yards that featured a 12-yard TD gallop that got the scoring started. Heatherington only completed eight passes, but three of them ended in the end zone.

“Our kids are going to continue to work hard and fight for 48 minutes,” Kernik said. “That’s what we are trying to build on.”

The Tigers visit Perkins Field inside Bill Jobko Stadium to meet Bridgeport on Friday.

“All wins are big, especially this time of the year,” Bonar said after watching his team win for the third time in their last four outings. “Next week is another big game.”