Backup Belitz Sparks Edison in Honolulu

Quarterback Todd Belitz completed a two-point conversion pass to Andy Robertson with 6:53 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Edison a 22-21 victory over Honolulu Damien Thursday night in Aloha Stadium.

Belitz relieved starting quarterback Pat Markovsky in the second half and led Edison to two touchdowns as the Chargers twice rallied in their season opener.

Damien (1-1) led, 21-14, early in the fourth quarter when Belitz led the Chargers on an 85-yard scoring drive. The left-handed quarterback threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tony Borrelli on a fourth-down play that cut Damien’s lead to 21-20.

Edison Coach Dave White didn’t hesitate in electing to go for the two-point conversion, later saying, “We didn’t come 3,000 miles to play a tie ballgame.”

Belitz rolled to his left and found Robertson open near the one-yard line. Robertson made a difficult catch and then dived into the end zone for a 22-21 lead.

Damien scored two touchdowns within 90 seconds in the second quarter for a 14-7 lead at halftime.

Edison had contained Damien’s option attack for most of the half until slotback Tony Jackson broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown run with 4:30 remaining in the first half that tied the score, 7-7.

Damien linebacker Kamuela Lau had the biggest play of the first half. Lau intercepted a short pass by Edison’s Markovsky near the left sideline and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.

Markovsky, making his first start, looked exceptional on Edison’s first series. The junior led the Chargers on a 68-yard drive with consecutive passes to tight end Timon Jeske for long gains.

Jeske scored Edison’s only touchdown in the first half when he caught a pass from Markovsky near Damien’s 20-yard line and then beat two defenders to the end zone.