When one of the statistics in a football game includes the fact that one team scored five times after just eight offensive plays from scrimmage, it’s a pretty safe bet that the team in question was victorious. Such was the case this evening at Wayne Jamison Field as Bridgeport scored early, often and just about every time it touched the ball in a 55-14 thrashing of Preston.

 

The win moves Class AA top-ranked BHS to 9-0-1 on the year. Preston closed its year at 3-7.

 

If efficiency is what Coach Josh Nicewarner was looking for, that’s exactly what he received. With Mackenzie Holmes getting things started off strongly on both sides of the ball and then watching seniors Dante Bonamico and Elijah Drummond following suit, the game was never in doubt.

 

“We needed to get out there and take control and make sure we stayed hungry. I think they showed that mentality wise and that was the most pleasing thing coming out of this game,” said Nicewarner.

 

Bridgeport’s first half was as dominant a half as it’s played all year. And thanks to incredible field position throughout, BHS had just 277 yards at the break to post 49 points.

 

Who did the damage? Take your pick. Along with the aforementioned cast of characters, the Indians controlled both sides on the line, forced turnovers and watched Koby “Kickoff” Kiefer live up to his nickname by nailing all seven of his first half point-after kicks and constantly pinning Preston deep on ensuing kickoffs or causing problems with pooch kicks.

 

Conversely, things were going just the opposite on the opposite sideline. Want a bad start? Preston couldn’t have scripted a worse beginning if it had practiced it. Unfortunately, the beginning of the first half wasn’t any better than the end of it – and that spelled game, set and match well before the halftime horn sounded.

 

Following a quick three-and-out after receiving the opening kickoff, the Knights lined up to punt and the punt was shanked – and shanked badly. In fact, when the Preston special teams finally downed it the punt had managed to travel a total of one yard.

 

Before the visitors could shake off the doldrums, the Indians made them pay for the miscue. With Preston selling out completely on the run, a play action fake by quarterback Zack Spurlock sucked everyone in and the play call worked brilliantly for BHS and disastrously for the Knights. Spurlock found Holmes at least 20 yards behind the defense for a 35-yard touchdown pass.

 

“We had seen an odd front and we had seen an even front, but the one thing I was confident about coming into this game was seeing a nine- or 10-man box,” said Nicewarner. “I don’t say we took a chance, but I had a pretty good feeling. We’re going to throw it if that’s what we need to do and it obviously worked.”

 

The score not only came on the first BHS offensive play, but with 9:27 showing on the clock. Kiefer’s point after – the first of several – made it 7-0 early.

 

To its credit, Preston regrouped on the next drive and methodically worked the ball the field. Quarterback Scott Stone threw it to multiple receivers as PHS went from its own 26 down to the Tribe 29 when disaster – once again the form of Holmes – struck. Stone’s sole bad pass of the surge hit Holmes in the numbers.

 

The junior linebacker hauled in the errant pass on the Preston side of the field, cut to his right and was off to the races. The only time he slowed down was to allow J.T. Harris and Bonamico get in front of him to block out any remaining threats. Holmes’ second score made it 14-0 with 4:37 left in the first.

 

“That (early Preston drive) was part of our bend and don’t break mentality, which is frustrating as heck as a coach,” said Nicewarner. “It’s hard to argue with the results. It was tough watching them be able to step up in the pocket … but Mackenzie made a great play and a great catch and guys got in front of him and led him to the end zone.”

 

Unfortunately for Preston, the worst of the first was only halfway through. Bridgeport, incredibly managed to score two more times in the opening period. In fact, Bridgeport would score four touchdowns in the initial quarter on just seven plays.

 

Following another three-and-out forced by the Indians’ defense, the longest of the first period drives by Bridgeport began at the Preston 44-yard line. Five plays later, Bonamico scored on a toss sweep – aided by a Drummond block late – to score from 30 yards out, making it 21-0 with 1:05 left.

 

Once Preston got the ball back, it gave it away on the very next offensive play. A fumble was recovered by the Indians on the 11-yard line. On the very first play Drummond went to the right and was barely touched to score and make it 28-0 with 51.7 seconds left before halftime.

 

Hopes of a things getting better in the second period ended quickly. Bridgeport’s first possession required just one play for the Indians to score as Bonamico scored on yet another toss sweep – BHS would  run the play four  times and score on it four times in the first half – from 44 yards out to make the score 35-0.

 

“That’s an adjustment to the stacked box,” said Nicewarner of the success of the toss play. “It’s something where we’re going to continue to make those adjustments.”

 

When BHS got the ball back, Bonamico would score again – this time it would take three plays before the Indians found the end zone. Taking yet another toss sweep, Bonamico would score for the third time – this time from 46 yards out to not only make it 42-0, but to allow the senior to cross the 1,000-yard mark on the season. He would join standout Dylan Tonkery, sitting out the game with a mild ankle injury as a precaution, as 1,000-yard rushers this season for BHS.

 

“On a personal level, I wanted to see Dante get that,” said Nicewarner. “It really had nothing to do with getting two 1,000-yard rushers … I wanted that for Dante and (the line and other blockers) did a fantastic job of getting that for him.”

 

Preston finally got on the board on the next possession. Stone found Austin Brown for a 64-yard scoring strike with 3:30 remaining.

 

The score did absolutely nothing to rattle Bridgeport. With a mixture of starters and reserves on the field, Elijah Drummond took the rare roll of tailback and showed he has plenty of skills. Drummond needed two plays on Bridgeport’s final possession of the first half to find the end zone.

 

Not surprisingly, it was the toss sweep that broke Drummond loose. After a 13-yard run on first down, Drummond took the pitch and went 53 yards for the final score of the first half.

 

“Getting him the ball was a tip of the cap from me. I hope Elijah lives the rest of his life knowing the work he’s done over the last two years is far more valuable than any statistic he could have. Allowing him to get a few carries at tailback was the simplest way to say thank you.”

 

Bonamico finished the first half with 165 yards on eight carries. Drummond made the most of his three carries with two scores and a season-high 77 yards. They would not carry the ball in the final two periods.

 

Stone finished the first half by completing 9-of-17 passes for 139 yards, but 67 of those passing yards came in the second period when the Tribe was freely substituting. Preston did finish the half with 159 yards of offense, but managed just 20 yards rushing on 17 carries.

 

In the second half, the Indians started out with their second unit. Unfortunately, even with both teams agreeing to eight-minute quarters, the results were the same.

 

Bridgeport took the second half kickoff and used a 10-play drive that covered 66 yards and culminated with a Gordon Swiger eight-yard quarterback keeper with 1:43 to play in the third. The only thing that didn’t work was an attempted two-point conversion; leaving BHS up 55-6.

 

PHS added a late score for the game’s final points. Caleb Gribble scored on a six-yard run and added the two-point conversion run as well to give the Knights’ 14 points.

 

Bridgeport finished the game with 383 yards of offense, including 26 carries for 348 yards. Haden Miller led the Tribe’s rushers in the second half with 53 yards on four carries.

 

Preston finished the game with 232 yards on 46 plays. The Knights got most of their 93 yards rushing in the second half.

 

Bridgeport’s senior class – in the last three years – stands at 35-2-1. According to BHS Radio color commentator Ryan Nicewarner, it’s the top mark in BHS history.

 

“It’s bittersweet knowing this is the last regular season game, but coming off the field winners in this last game makes losing these seniors a little easier,” said Nicewarner.

 

BHS now waits to see who it will play in the opening round. Early projections may have the Indians playing Independence. A big upset involving Mingo Central getting hammered by Westside has turned the bracket upside down.

 

More details on the bracket later on Connect-Bridgeport.com.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Mackenzie Holmes returning an interception in the first quarter for a touchdown, while Dante Bonamico is shown in the second photo breaking loose for one of his three scores. In the third picture, Zack Spurlock throws his only passing of the game that was good for the game's first touchdown. That is followed bya photo of Hunter Haddix applying some of the relentless pressure on the passing game that was also - as shown in the next photo - applied to Preston's running game. In the final photo, Elijah Drummond made the most of this three carries with two touchdows. Photos by Tyler Vincent of www.benqueenphotography.com.