DECATUR – Bellmont used a fourth-quarter rally to sideline Whitko Friday night in prep football playoff action.

Whitko led 20-9 entering the final period of play before the hosts outscored them 15-0 for a 24-20 win in a Class 3-A sectional opener.

Whitko, which lost 35-13 to Bellmont in a first-round game a year ago, finishes its season at 6-4.

Bellmont, now 6-4, advances to play at Garrett next Friday night in a sectional semifinal game. Garrett beat Lakeland 40-7 Friday night.

Quarterback Garrett Elder led the offense for the Wildcats Friday night. Elder rushed for 143 yards on 17 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Senior standout Tanner Hughes, the all-time leading rusher in Whitko program history, had 126 yards on 26 carries with one touchdown in his final high school game.

The Wildcats rushed for 279 yards in the game, but had two turnovers to none for Bellmont.