When Bridgeport’s Jake Bowen rambles for more than 200 yards in a game, chances aren’t good for the opposition to get the win. When the Indians throw for more than 100 yards in a single half as well, there’s practically no chance for the opposition.

 

Such was the case this evening as Bowen rushed for 259 yards and the passing game had 119 first half yards in the Tribe’s 49-13 win against the Frankfort in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs. By game’s end, the hosts had more than 500 yards of offense.

 

The win moves No. 3 BHS to 10-1 on the year and into the second round against Robert C. Byrd, a 35-14 winner against Shady Spring. Frankfort, No. 14, ends the year at 8-3.

 

Bowen unofficially matched his career-high with 259 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough, Devin Vandergrift had a career night as well. He finished 6-of-6 passing for 128 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and added two rushing scores for good measure.

 

The passing came as a result of what the Falcons’ defense did trying to stop the Tribe. Frankfort loaded the box with players for most of the first half and put the Tribe’s D’Andre Hollaway on an island with a solo defender with no safety help over the top. It didn’t take long for the Indians to begin to exploit it.

 

“They basically,, the way Frankfort was playing, were like they almost had 10 in the box,” said Bridgeport Coach John Cole. “ … Their job was to stop the run and to stop Jake and there for about a quarter there they did a decent job of it.”

 

The first quarter did prove to be decent for the guests. Although the Falcons didn’t stop Bridgeport from moving the ball, they were right in the mix in the opening 12 minutes of play.

 

Bridgeport looked as if it was going to score on its first possession as the Indians started at the 35 and rode the legs of Bowen down to the FHS four. Then, facing a third-and-goal play, the Indians did something they’ve only done one other time this year – they fumbled the ball away.

 

“That turnover gave them some life … they were playing hard,” said Cole.

 

Frankfort stopped the drive thanks to the turnover, but couldn’t move the ball and BHS got it right back. This time, Bridgeport started at its own 45 and needed just five plays to find the end zone and the Falcons got an unexpected preview of things to come.

 

On a second down play, Vandergrift went into the pocket and Holloway ran a post route against an FHS defense that was, as mentioned above, without safety help. Holloway was wide open and Vandergrift’s pass was on the money for a 28-yard pass play for six. The first of seven successful Evan Ogden point-after kicks made the score 7-0 Bridgeport with 2:40 in the first quarter

 

The score didn’t rattle the visitors from Mineral County. The Falcons responded quickly and needed just four plays to cover 70 yards and get right back in the game.

 

“They knew they could beat us and had a chance,” said Cole after FHS cut the lead to one point.

 

After three straight Frankfort runs got the ball to the Tribe’s 45, Dalton Pollock punished the Indians in a big way. The senior fullback went to the left, broke a bevy of tackles and went 45 yards for the score.

 

The only negative on the series involved the point-after kick. The attempt never made it to the cross bar and the Tribe held on to a 7-6 advantage with 1:09 in the first quarter.

 

While it was the only negative on the series, there were plenty of negatives heading Frankfort’s way in the second quarter. The Indians would score a trio of touchdowns to take control of the contest and lead 28-6 at the half.

 

The first score would prove to be the most grueling as it covered 75 yards on 15 plays and ate up 7:11 of clock. The drive ended on a fourth down play from the three of FHS and saw Bowen bust in off tackle to make it 14-6 at the 5:58 mark.

 

During the drive, Vandergrift continually hooked up with Holloway who was still going one on one with his defender. Holloway caught three passes for 41 yards – and there was more to come.

 

(Offensive Coordinator) Coach (Tyler) Phares did a great job,” said Cole. “They had 10 in there and we liked the matchup that they were giving us. We put the ball in Devin’s hands and D’Andre was D’Andre.”

 

Bridgeport would get the ball back late in the second quarter and the duo hooked up again. On first down, Vandergrift stared down some backside pressure and got the ball to Holloway for what proved to be a 48-yard pass that took the ball to the Frankfort 12. On the next play Bowen scored to help push the advantage to 21-6 at the 2:38 mark before halftime.

 

That appeared to be what the score would be at the intermission. However, when Frankfort opted to try and move the ball down the field by way of pass the Indians forced three straight incompletions and got the ball back following a good punt with 2:13 to play.

 

Bridgeport wasn’t necessarily in great position as it started at its own 13, but had three timeouts left to cover the 87 yards. They wouldn’t need any of the timeouts.

 

On the first play, the Tribe stacked a pair of receivers to the left and it may have confused the FHS defense. Even if it didn’t, the move worked. Bowen took the handoff and exploded through a hole for a season-best rushing touchdown of 87 yards and what became a 28-6 lead with 1:46 to go before the intermission.

 

The score would prove to be the dagger to the chances for Frankfort.

 

“We got another guy out of the box and we were able to get Jake freed up there … You can’t rest whenever 22 (Bowen) is out there on the field,” said Cole. “The offensive line paved the way with that many defenders in the box.”

 

The Indians finished the half with an impressive 339 yards of offense. Perhaps most impressive was the Indians had 119 yards passing as Vandergrift was five-for-five with all of the passes going to Hollaway.

 

With the passing game rolling, the ground game also was in gear. The Tribe finished the half with 220 yards on the ground and Bowen had 200 of those yards on 20 carries.

 

“The offensive line did a good job,” said Cole on how Bowen got his yards. “ … By the end of the first quarter and into the second we loosened them up with the pass and then a little bit of fatigue came into it at the end of the half.”

 

Frankfort finished the half with 109 yards of offense. Of that total, 104 came on the ground. Pollock led the way with 54 yards on seven carries.

 

Bridgeport would add three more scores in the second half. The Indians opened up the third quarter with a seven-play, 61-yard drive capped by a Vandergrift five-yard keeper that led to a 35-6 advantage.

 

BHS would score on its next drive as well. This time, Vandergrift tossed his second touchdown pass – and fifth in two games – when an attempt to Holloway was tipped away by a Frankfort defender and landed in the hands of Carson Winkie for a 9-yard touchdown at the 3:59 mark of the third quarter for a 42-13 advantage.

 

The Indians final score came early in the fourth quarter. Vandergrift kept the ball and raced in from six yards out for the home team's final points of the game.

 

Frankfort would add a score as the Tribe went to their reserves. The Falcons’ Chandler Rhodes went untouched 45 yards for a score. Braden Aldridge added the point after kick for the final point of the contest with 8:33 to go.

 

Bridgeport finished with a total of 528 yards of offense. The Indians rushed for 400 yards and passed for 128 in a game that featured rain through most of the contest.

 

“What surprise me was the fact we were able to go out there and hit on some cylinders in the passing game,” said Cole about the weather.

 

Frankfort finished with 166 yards of total offense. The Falcons had just 57 yards of offense after the half.

 

“Absolutely I was pleased on defense. We came out strong on defense,” said Cole.

 

Next week’s game with the Eagles will either be Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. or Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles will have their choice of those times and will officially announce their decision Sunday at the WVSSAC offices in Parkersburg.