SUBMITTED BY HADEN MILLER

 

Bridgeport’s junior varsity squad went across Route 50 last Monday, September 22 to battle rivals Robert C. Byrd and came out on top 28-6.

 

The tribe’s first drive relied mostly on Luke Southern and sophomore Andrew Barker, who scored the game’s first touchdown, making the score 8-0.

 

“The coaches wanted me to get a lot of touches at tailback this week to possibly get my chance there in a varsity game,” said Southern.

 

The Indians’ shut down the Eagles’ offense on their first possession and forced a punt. Once again, Southern and Barker were the two primary runners for Bridgeport’s offense, and once again, Barker punched it in for his second score of the night making it 14-0.

 

The next drive for Byrd came mostly through the air but ended on a running touchdown to make it a 14-6 game.

 

It didn't take long for the tribe to respond as Jonathan Murray returned the next kickoff for a 88-yard touchdown which created a 20-6 ball game with plenty of the first half left to play.

 

Bridgeport’s defense retook the field and would be burnt early in the Byrd drive by a long 55-yard touchdown heave; but the play would be called back for an illegal formation call against the Eagles. The Indians shut out the Eagle offense for the rest of the possession and forced a punt.

 

“We got lucky with that touchdown being called back, but we made the most of it and got the job done afterwards,” said Gordon Swiger.

 

To open up Bridgeport’s next possession, Swiger connected with Murray for a 48-yard pass that put the tribe offense within 5 yards of the goal line. To finish the drive, Southern punched in his first score of the contest to make it a 28-6 by the end of the first half.

 

In the second half, there would be no scoring, and the Indians’ would return home victorious.

 

Bridgeport’s junior varsity will not have a game this week due to the varsity playing on Thursday, October 2 in Elkins.

 

Editor's Note: This was not assigned by Connect-Bridgeport.com