The Ludington football team lost a 44-41 overtime heartbreaker to Belding in its homecoming game on Friday night.

Ludington opened the scoring on a six-yard passing touchdown by Trey Forkinski to Wilson Gunsell to take a 7-0 lead with 8:28 remaining in the first.

After Belding cut the Oriole lead to 7-6, Ludington responded quickly on the first play from scrimmage on a lateral from Forkinski to Gunsell, who  then found Nathan Gilchrist for a 73-yard passing touchdown. The score extended the Oriole lead to 14-6 with 3:37 left in the first quarter.

Belding opened the scoring in the second quarter on another rushing touchdown, but a failed two-point attempt allowed Ludington to keep a 14-12 lead.

Ludington added to its lead on the next drive on a Miles Wilson 40-yard field goal, making the score 17-12.

Belding responded with back-to-back touchdowns to take a 25-17 lead, before the Orioles scored on a 75-yard passing touchdown from Forkinski to Aidan Gilchris. Belding led 25-24 at halftime.

After no scoring in the third, Belding scored on a rushing touchdown and a successful PAT to take a 32-24 lead.

Ludington responded on a Forkinski three-yard rushing touchdown, but a failed two-point try allowed Belding to keep a 32-30 lead with 4:18 remaining.

Belding scored again on another rushing touchdown, but a blocked PAt by Ludington’s Gage Jones left the visitors with a 38-30 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Aidan Gilchrist returned the kick 75 yards for a touchdown, then a successful two-point conversion made the score 38-38 with 43 seconds remaining.

Ludington opened the scoring in overtime on a 30-yard field goal by Miles Wilson to make it 41-38.

But a Belding rushing touchdown ended the game and handed Ludington a 44-41 loss.

Ludington was led on offense by Aidan Gilchrist with 81 yards and one touchdown on four receptions.

Trey Forkinski had 106 yards and two touchdowns on a 6-of-14 passing while Stephen Weinert had 74 yards on 11 carries.

The Orioles were led on defense by Jack Ward with five tackles and Drew Donovan with four.

Ludington, now 2-5 on the season, takes on Morley Stanwood next week.