Bridgeport scored with its ground game, its passing game, and its defense. And had they wanted to, they probably could have found even more creative ways to put points on the board this evening against North Marion.

 

The Indians, playing in their final home game of the regular season, annihilated the Huskies by a 35-7 score. The win moves Bridgeport to 7-1 on the year. NMHS remains winless and now stands 0-7.

 

“The key is to come out and be crisp and take control of things from the kickoff and that’s what I thought we did and I was proud of that,” said BHS Coach Josh Nicewarner. “I only got (our starters) a quarter or so of play, but I’m pleased with everybody.”

 

The reason the starters played just a few minutes into the second period was simple – the game was basically over. With both teams going with their first units in the decisive first period, the Indians were in control 21-0 and were dominating statistically to the tune of 144 yards to 4 yards of offense when the first 12 minutes were in the books.

 

Thanks to the early domination, by the time the game ended Bridgeport had loaded the field with freshmen and the Huskies had only minimal success against them. In fact, North Marion was unable to crack 100 yards of offense; finishing with 91 yards. Of that total, 86 came on the ground on 29 carries.

 

“(Those numbers) are nice to hear,” Nicewarner said. “We were able to control the line of scrimmage. You’ve got to be able to block those front four if you want to get anywhere. They’re doing a great job of keeping things held up and forcing teams to either throw it or run outside.”

 

While the defense was shutting down the opposition again, Bridgeport’s offense was more than holding up their end. The Tribe finished with 287 yards, including just 218 yards rushing on 42 carries. Most of the damage came in the first half.

 

Regardless of the final numbers, things started off bad for North Marion and never got better. After Mackenzie Holmes returned the opening kickoff 34 yards, the Indians would need just three plays to go the remaining 43 yards for the game’s first points. The final play was not in the typical BHS script as quarterback Zack Spurlock, with more than ample time behind his line, hit a wide open Zach Bombardiere for a 32-yard scoring strike.

 

Following the first of five successful point after kicks in the first half – four by Nick Strogen and one by Jacob DeFalco – it was BHS up 7-0 with 10:37 showing on the first period clock.

 

Bridgeport’s next two scores would cover a span of 17 seconds later in the first period. The Tribe’s second touchdown was capped by Spurlock’s 7-yard keeper following a 7-play, 63-yard drive. With 5:27 showing, it was 14-0 and the rout was on.

 

Before North Marion could regroup, disaster struck on its first play from scrimmage following the Indians’ score. A pitch from the quarterback didn’t find its target, but a kind bounce found the waiting arms of Michael Gray. Gray, a former running back, showed he still has the wheels as he bolted in from 12 yards out and what would turn into a 21-0 lead with 5:10 showing.

 

“It was good for Mike. There’s not any one guy that’s looking for accolades or anything like that, but as well as he’s played and with as much emotion as he’s played with it was nice to see him get a defensive touchdown,” said Nicewarner.

 

The onslaught continued in the second period. Bridgeport used a drive that began in the first half and ended early in the second period when Spurlock went to the air again. This time, senior John Wilfong lined up at flanker and about the only thing as crisp as his pattern along the back of the end zone was Spurlock’s pass that was right on the fingertips to Wilfong. The six points that came on the 15-yard hookup – and the subsequent point-after kick – made it 28-0 BHS.

 

The pass was the final pass of the game for Spurlock. He capped a solid all-around game by going 3-for-3 with 69 yards and a season high two touchdown passes.

 

“Spur is growing up every game. He’s come a long way … I’m glad that I stuck with him,” said Nicewarner.

 

With the score 28-0, Bridgeport got another score four plays later when a short kickoff wasn’t fielded by the Huskies and Wilfong pounced on it. Mitchell Winkie capped a short 28-yard drive with a dive into the right corner of the end zone for the final touchdown of the first half – and the last of the game for the Indians – with 9:25 remaining.

 

After the score, Bridgeport began wholesale substitutions on both sides of the ball. Although NM would get some additional yardage against the reserves, the visitors wouldn’t seriously threaten to score in the first half.

 

North Marion did manage to score in the third period. Fullback Noah Redmond plowed in from a yard out and a successful point-after proved to be it for the offense in the game. And for the Huskies, there was very little offense in either half.

 

The Huskies finished with 49 yards of offense in the first two periods, including 16 carries for 44 yards. All but four of those yards came against reserves.

BHS’s first half totals made up the bulk of its final totals. The Tribe finished the first two periods with 238 yards of offense on 25 plays. The team carried the ball 22 times for 169 yards.

 

For the first time since anyone could remember in the press box, a freshman lead Bridgeport’s ground game. Chapin Murphy, who had 50 yards rushing in the first half, finished with 86 yards on 12 carries. Dante Bonamico had six carries for 54 yards to lead the team in the first half.

 

Although most of the seniors got the majority of the night off, senior defensive end reserve Jonathan Murray had a monster evening. Along with having a big kickoff return, he managed a pair of sacks and had a third sack wiped out due to a penalty.

 

Bridgeport will have next week off. The Tribe will return to action on Halloween, Oct. 31, with a game against state-ranked Fairmont Senior. The game at East-West Stadium will start at 7:30 p.m.

 

Click HERE for an article on last week's big win over Keyser. 

 

Click HERE for a Tyler Maxwell photo gallery.

 

Editor's Note: Top photos of the defense dominating allowed BHS to get its reserves in on offense and defense in the win against the Huskies. Photos by Tyler Maxwell of www.benqueenphotography.com.