Arrambide accounts for three TDs as Bethel (Tenn.) builds big lead, holds on for 35-28 win over Thomas More

NKyTribune staff

McKENZIE, Tenn. — Christian Arrambide rushed for a pair of touchdowns and threw for another score as Bethel (Tenn.) held on for a 35-28 win over visiting Thomas More on Saturday.

Bethel built a 35-14 lead going into the fourth quarter, but Thomas More rallied behind the passing of Justin Post. The senior quarterback connected on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Da’marco Canty to slice the Bethel lead to 35-28 with 10 minutes remaining in the game.

The Saints, however, were unable to sustain the momentum on offense and fell to 3-6 overall, 1-4 in the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division. Bethel improved to 4-5, 1-4 in the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division.

Post completed 24 passes in 46 attempts for 341 yards and four touchdowns. Canty caught three of those scoring tosses and finished with five receptions for 73 yards. Johnny McNally added five catches for 116 yards, while teammate Mitchell Hogue hauled in six receptions for 60 yards.

Bethel churned out 464 yards of total offense, with 274 yards on the ground. Arrambide completed 10 passes in 20 attempts for 190 yards. He also rushed for 68 yards and two scores.

De’Ontay Tate gained 96 yards rushing to lead the Wildcats, who were celebrating their 2019 Homecoming on Saturday.

Peyton Van Horn paced the Thomas More the defense with 13 tackles (10 solo and three assisted). Thomas Williams finished with nine tackles for the Saints.

Bethel owns a 2-1 lead in the all-time series with Thomas More. It marked the first meeting between the two programs since 1999.

Thomas More will play host to nationally ranked University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The unbeaten Patriots (8-0) are ranked No. 8 nationally in the latest NAIA poll.

The Cumberlands pulled out a 14-7 win at Georgetown (Ky.) on Saturday to remain unbeaten.

(Information compiled from Thomas More, Bethel and staff reports)