HOWELLS - Clint Belina had the yards and the touchdowns, but he passed along the credit Monday.

Belina ran for 223 yards and four touchdowns to lead defending champion Howells to a 48-6 victory against previously undefeated Johnson-Brock in a Class D-1 state football semifinal.

"The offensive line really manned up tonight. We knew we could push the ball down their throats," Belina said. "Those guys made some big holes for me."

The Bobcats (11-1) wasted little time before asserting themselves. On the third play of the game, Belina took a pitch around the left end and threaded his way through the defense before pulling away for a 46-yard touchdown run.

When the defense stopped Johnson-Brock, Howells quarterback Brian Prusa directed a six-play scoring drive, capping the march with a 16-yard run.

Another defensive stop set up a third Howells score in the first quarter. Belina, whose 18-yard run highlighted the drive, ran 14 yards for the score and a 20-0 lead.

Paving the way for Belina were center Mitch Tomka, guards Cody Hegemann and Jordan Brichacek and ends Brian Bayer and Cory Brester.

"They are big, physical and fast. They're everything we thought they were going to be, and a little bit more," said Johnson-Brock coach Brett Davis. "We told the kids that if you're going to lose one game, lose to the best team in the state. That's what we did. Howells is a great team."

The Bobcats pushed the lead to 40-0 in the third quarter when Prusa found Belina over the middle for a 39-yard gain, then hit Brester on a 30-yard pass. Belina then scored from the 6-yard line.

Johnson-Brock's Jacob Volker recovered a fumble on a punt return and on the next play, Tyler Huey broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run.

But Howells answered quickly when Derek Coufal broke a 70-yard kickoff return for a score.

"We had a hard time getting off blocks. They get into you quick and they stay on you," Davis said. "We're a little undersized and it showed up tonight."

Howells had 324 yards on 43 carries and held Johnson-Brock to 51 yards on the ground through three quarters and 116 for the game.

"Our offensive line did such a great job of picking up all the stunts and the blitzes they were running," said Howells coach Mike Speirs. "A big play like we had to start gives our kids confidence and maybe sets the other team back."

Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at rhambleton@journalstar.com or 473-7314.