BELCHERTOWN — Drury had the makings of an impressive drive after Dante Woodson ran 33 yards to the Belchertown 30-yard line late in the first quarter, only to have the ball stripped away by the Orioles.

Sparked by another outstanding defensive effort and a vaunted running game, Belchertown defeated Drury, 35-8, Saturday night.

What would have seemed far-fetched a year ago is now a reality. The Orioles (3-2, 2-2) are in the mix for a league title as they await an Intercounty League South showdown with undefeated Lee (5-0, 3-0), Friday in Belchertown.

“We’re in the hunt,” Belchertown coach Ed Wyzik said. “We executed well and got a big win.”

Joel Wyzik led the defensive charge. He had two sacks on one series late in the third quarter and Ryan Wawro had an interception in the final quarter.

This is the second straight year Joel Wyzik (10 sacks) has reached double digits in sacks. He had 13 last season.

Wyzik (63 yards) also helped a punishing ground game that rushed for 302 yards. Five rushers accounted for that total.

“We rotate our backs,” Ed Wyzik said. “You won’t see a 1,000-yard rusher, but we have kids who want a piece of the football.”

The Orioles have some issues they need to clean up ahead of Lee. Belchertown was able to survive a slew of penalties against Drury. One cost Belchertown a touchdown and another enabled Drury to score.

A 37-yard touchdown pass from John Flink to Hunter Klingersmith was negated by a chop block.

A Drury interception led to a Blue Devils touchdown that might not have been if not for a fourth-down roughing the passer penalty on the Orioles that kept the drive alive.

“We addressed that,” Wyzik said. “Those penalties hurt and we know that’s one thing we can’t afford in big games.”

The penalty was costly. Frankie Cooper scored on a 4-yard touchdown before Obilo Rodriquez hit Tim Brazeau with the conversion to cut Belchertown’s lead to 21-8.

But a drive by Belchertown enabled the Orioles to answer that score. Flink scored on an 8-yard burst up the middle as he carried a host of defenders with him into the end zone to make it 28-8.

Then Joey Doillard scored on a 9-yard run early in the fourth quarter as the Orioles extended their lead to 35-8.

The Orioles raced to a 21-0 lead on a second quarter 5-yard touchdown run by Brad Lovett.

Cal Daskam (75 yards) and Wyzik scored on short runs during the first quarter as Belchertown built a 14-0 lead.

Drury (1-4) is still rebuilding. Last season, Belchertown blanked Drury, 42-0.

Belchertown 35, Drury 8

Drury

0

0

8

0

—8

Belchertown

14

7

7

7

—35

First quarter

B-Daskam 1-yard run (Klingersmith kick) 5:57

B-Wyzik 4 run (Klingersmith kick) 1:58

Second quarter

B-Lovett 5 run (Klingersmith kick) 5:08

Third quarter

D-Cooper 4 run (Brazeau pass from Rodriguez 6:47

B-Flink 8 run (Klingersmith kick) 4:19

Fourth quarter

B-Doillard 9 run (Klingersmith kick) 7:41

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Belchertown – Lovett 9-50, Wyzik 4-63, Flink 5-36, Daskam 10-75, Denehy 4-25, Doillard 8-53. Drury – Rodriguez 2-(-14), Woodson 8-42, Cooper 9-52, Delisle 1-9, Petengill 1-2

PASSING: Belchertown – Flink 2-5-23. Otto 0-0-0, Drury – Rodriguez 0-6-0.

RECEIVING: Belchertown – Fournier 1-5, Daskam 1-18