BELDING- Ionia traveled to Belling for the 2023 opener.  Ionia led at the half, but two 4th quarter TDs by Belding eventually led to a Bulldogs loss, 22-11.  Belding jumped to a 8-0 lead in the first quarter.  Ionia responded but fumbled on the Belding one yard line, but got a stop and scored on the next drive with a Brennan Brownell TD.  The two point conversion tied the game at 8-8.  Ionia got a Parker Siedelman field goal on the last play of the first half.  In the second half Ionia moved their first possession, but ultimately turned it over on downs.  Belding was turned away on a 4th and 2 play, but eventually got the ball back and scored on their next two possessions to put the game away.  

Travis Tucker finished with 81 yards, and Brownell finished with 36.  Spencer Tooker had 2 catches for 45 for Ionia.  Defensively, Ionia was led by Parker Sieldelman and Brennan Brownell who each had 7 tackles.  Henry Castle added five more, and Gavin Elvert added 4.  Ionia (0-1), will host Eaton Rapids, next Thursday.