Princeton survived a furious fourth-quarter comeback from Bluefield to earn a 32-30 rivalry victory at Mitchell Stadium, extending the Tigers’ winning streak to 16 games.

Bluefield struck first behind a 1-yard touchdown run from Jeremiah Jones, but Princeton answered when Jake Belcher connected with Aaron Hood for a 50-yard touchdown. The Beavers regained the lead on a Max Simpson touchdown pass to Chaney Stanback, before Belcher found Isaias Selen for another Princeton score.

Trailing 14-13 at halftime, the Tigers took control in the third quarter. R.J. Coatney scored from a yard out before Belcher connected with Daethon Thomas on a 20-yard touchdown pass to give Princeton a two-score advantage.

Bluefield refused to go away. Willis Wilson scored twice in the fourth quarter as the Beavers mounted a late comeback, but Hood’s 38-yard touchdown run ultimately provided the difference.
Belcher finished with three touchdown passes and no turnovers as Princeton improved to 2-0 and defeated Bluefield for the sixth consecutive meeting.

Hear from head coach Nathan Tanner on Princeton’s resilience, Belcher’s development and what it took to survive another memorable Mercer County rivalry game.

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