BELLVILLE -- In a Top 10 matchup of Class 3A powers, the ninth-ranked Navasota Rattlers scored twice before halftime and withstood a fourth quarter rally by sixth-ranked Bellville to win 24-14 at the Pasture of Pain on Friday night.

Navasota quarterback Kye Hildreth rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns and completed 12 of 18 passes for 158 yards and a score. Teammate Antoine Burrell carried the ball nine times for 123 yards.

Navasota (4-0) jumped on top with Hildreth scoring the first points of the game for the Rattlers. On the touchdown drive, he hit his favorite target Tevon Creeks on a 3-and-2 for a 16-yard gain to midfield. Burrell picked up 3 yards on first down before Hildreth took off up the middle. He broke a couple of tackles at the line of scrimmage, slipped into the open field and streaked 47 yards down the hash mark for the score.

Bellville (2-1) answered with Rice baseball recruit Kevin Mueller directing the attack. He hit a wide open Josh Brast for a 28-yard gain to the Rattler 30 on his first pass. Josh Browning carried four straight times and moved Bellville down to the 6. Mueller carried the ball to the 1, then Browning dove over for the touchdown to tie the score at 7.

Navasota went ahead after Antron Harris intercepted a Mueller pass, the second of two Rattler interceptions in the first half. Burrell fueled the scoring drive by taking a swing pass 19 yards then running up the middle for 27. Hildreth capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Aaron Collins.

Navasota held Bellville to a three-and-out and took over at the Bellville 40-yard line with 1:28 left before halftime. Hildreth capped the drive with a touchdown run with 11 seconds left to give the Rattlers a 21-7 halftime lead.

Bellville missed a field goal to start the second half, but Cesar Barron made one, hitting a 22-yarder to give Navasota a 24-7 lead.

Navasota made six straight defensive stops before Bellville put together a 13-play, 72-yard touchdown drive with Browning scoring from 1 yard out.