BELTON — The Lake Belton Broncos used a third-quarter outburst to pull away from Killeen Chaparral on Thursday night for a 48-7 victory in the regular-season finale on Fredenberg Field at Crusader Stadium and build some momentum for the playoffs.

Lake (7-3, 5-2 District 8-5A-I) went into halftime with a 14-7 advantage in a game that was bumped up a day because of weather concerns and, despite a fumble on its opening drive of the second half, tore through the Bobcats (2-8, 0-7) the rest of the way.

Bryce Davis negated Lake’s fumble with an interception that he returned to the Chaparral 26-yard line. Two plays later, Tekoa Martin started the onslaught with a 20-yard touchdown rumble that extended the Broncos’ lead to 21-7.

Maverik Maddux then connected with Davion Peters for the pair’s second touchdown of the night, a 53-yard connection that pushed the margin to 27-7.

The Broncos final score of the third came on a 10-play, 79-yard drive in which they overcame two holding penalties, largely thanks to a 22-yard catch by Zach Dodd. The march was capped by another long pass when Maddux found Joey Read for a 41-yard score.

“Just believing that my receivers were going to do their work and never doubting myself because I know I can get the job done,” Maddux said of what led to the success in the passing game.

The junior didn’t throw again as Lake cycled in its reserves in the final quarter.

“For kids that didn’t get to play very much, where they could debate about, ‘I’m not sure if I want to finish this,’ and they did and being able to finish it on a memory, that’s what it’s about,” Lake head coach Brian Cope said. “These kids kept working and showing up and I’m so proud of them.”

The Broncos’ Michael Gonzales scored twice on runs of 12 and 3 yards. The pair of touchdowns settled the score at 48-7.

After a scoreless first quarter, Lake fell behind early in the second when the Bobcats capitalized on a second-quarter fumble by the Broncos.

The botched handoff gave Chaparral the ball on the Lake 35. Evan Lazott came up with a sack on the opening play of the ensuing drive, but a 32-yard reception by Amone Tolliver on third down took the Bobcats to the 9, and Bryson Coleman punched in a 1-yard run on third-and-goal to give the Bobcats a 7-0 lead.

Peters made sure the deficit didn’t last long. He got the ball four times during the following six-play drive, including a 20-yard carry and a 2-yard scoring run that leveled the tally at 7.

Peters didn’t wait long to pile on the points when he turned a short pass from Maddux into a 59-yard touchdown to give Lake its first lead of the night at 14-7 on the fourth play of the Broncos’ next possession.

“We were playing uptight a little early,” Cope said. “New venue, Thursday night, wasn’t supposed to be. (We) responded really well. Those two drives right before half were really good.”

Kylin Moses took over under center for Chaparral’s final drive and caused problems with his legs, picking up 24 yards on three carries but going just 1-for-3 for 3 yards through the air before the first-half clock expired.

With Georgetown’s win over Cedar Park, the Broncos will finish as the district’s No. 2 or 3 playoff seed. Their position will be finalized by the outcome of today’s game between Leander Glenn and Leander Rouse.

LAKE BELTON 48, KILLEEN CHAPARRAL 7

Chaparral 0 7 0 0 — 7

Lake Belton 0 14 20 14 — 48

Cha — Bryson Coleman 1 run (Cristian Vasquez kick)

LB — Davion Peters 2 run (Tommy Stephens kick)

LB — Peters 59 pass from Maverik Maddux (Hunter Hutchins kick)

LB — Tekoa Martin 20 run (kick failed)

LB — Peters 59 pass from Maddux (Hutchins kick)

LB — Joey Read 41 pass from Maddux (Austin Robello kick)

LB — Michael Gonzales 12 run (Hutchins kick)

LB — Gonzales 3 run (Robello kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

Cha LB

First downs 12 16

Rushes-yards 29-123 41-202

Passing yards 84 227

Comp.-Att.-Int. 11-31-2 15-21-0

Punts-average 4-34.3 0-00.0

Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-2

Penalties-yards 9-69 4-26

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Chaparral: Keith Tyler 15-48, Davian Athuer 5-42, Kylin Moses 4-19, Torrie Henry 1-9, Caidyn Wood 1-6, Neveon Shaw 1-3, Coleman 2-(-4); Lake Belton: Martin 16-90, Peters 7-39, Maddux 2-24, Gonzales 4-17, Kellen Scarborough 3-16, Austin George 2-10, Damil Khan 1-8, Robello 1-6, Ty Green 1-3, Kamryn Lemus 1-1, team 3-(-12).

PASSING — Chaparral: Coleman 9-24-2-84, Moses 1-5-0-3, Arthur 1-2-0-(-3); Lake Belton: Maddux 15-21-0-227.

RECEIVING — Chaparral: Amone Tolliver 5-50, Arthuer 2-16, Henry 2-15, Kevion Mathis 1-6, Coleman 1-(-3); Lake Belton: Peters 5-116, Read 1-41, Zach Dodd 3-33, Scarborough 2-14, Christian Onchweri 2-11, Tyrrence Taylor 1-8, Ayden Mitchell 1-4.

Will Hopkins - TDT