TURNER — For the second week in a row, the Belfast Lions were shut out in the first half of their football game.

And for the second week in a row, they came out strong in the second half to post a victory.

Led by hard-running Josh Aldus and two long touchdown runs by Garren Horne, Belfast topped Leavitt 28-26 on Friday night.

The Hornets came out strong on their opening series with an 11 play, 62-yard drive that ended when fullback Tony Witham scored from four yards out.

The Hornets also scored late in the second quarter. After intercepting an Andy Whalen pass the Hornets took over on their own 15 yard line. Following two long pass completions to Matt Worcester, quarterback Matt Cote found Broc Hardacker for a 3-yard touchdown pass to give the Hornets a 12-0 halftime lead.

“We knew we had to be ready for there best effort in the second half,” said Leavitt coach Mike Hathaway.

“We didn’t expect them to play four bad quarters of football.”

The Lions came out strong in the second half.

On the opening series, Aldus pounded the Hornets’ defense before scoring from 16 yards out to conclude a 12-play, 62-yard drive.

After forcing a Leavitt punt, Belfast struck quickly. Garren Horne scored on a 40-yard run to put Belfast up 14-12.

Belfast ended the third quarter with another scoring drive as Aldus (34 rushes, 215 yards) scored from 9 yards out to put Belfast up 22-12 heading into the fourth quarter. The Hornets came right back at the Lions as Cote scored on a 6-yard scramble to make it 22-18.

After recovering a Belfast fumble, Leavitt took the lead. Following a 58-yard Tony Witham (19 carries 177 yards) run, Chris Brewer punched it in from three yards out to put Leavitt up 26-22 with 6:23 left in the game.

It didn’t take Belfast long to take the lead back as Horne scored on a 59-yard run.

“We have lots of respect for Leavitt,” said Belfast coach Butch Richards. “We knew we would be in for a fight with them”.

“I’ve been in a lot of good football games” said Hathaway, “This was one of the best.”