The sequel didn’t live up to the original.

 

Instead of a repeat of a regular season war between Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd on the football field, the game turned out to be somewhat of a bust. For those in the red and white, it’s likely they would argue what took place was an award-winning performance. And they would have an argument for that.

 

The Indians rolled their way past the Eagles by a 42-7 score in a Class AA quarterfinal contest at Wayne Jamison Field. BHS will play next week for the right to advance to Wheeling Island and a chance to compete in the state championship game.

 

“We weren’t expecting that, but at the same time it was our night. We had a pretty good week of practice and a good game plan … Our kids were ready to play and they wanted to play,” said BHS Coach John Cole. “ … These kids have a lot to be proud of.”

 

The win moves the No. 3-ranked Indians to 11-1 on the year and marked the second win of the season against the Eagles. Robert C. Byrd, ranked sixth, ends their campaign at 9-3.

 

The contest was in stark contrast to the game in week five of the regular season. The Indians twice rallied from double digit deficits in the fourth quarter to get a 41-35 win. There would be no rally needed tonight as Bridgeport dominated from start to finish.

 

While the 42 points is something most will point to, it was the Tribe’s defense that was the difference this time around. Incredibly, the Eagles – averaging over 400 yards of offense on the season – finished with just 194 yards of offense.

 

“The defense played the best game of the year and they did it at the right time,” said Bridgeport Coach John Cole. “ … All the credit goes to the players. Obviously, they wanted to win pretty badly and they improved since we played the last time. Throw in the job the coaching staff did and you just hope something like this works out. Thankfully, it did.”

 

Bridgeport’s offense wasn’t too shabby either. It finished with 377 yards in the contest. Of that total, 353 of it came on the ground on 48 carries.

 

“It was blocking. We just continue to get better every week,” said Bridgeport offensive coordinator Tyler Phares. “We threw a few things in there with a few players at the point of attack they may not have seen, but when it comes down to it we just did better up front.”

 

With the line blocking, Jake Bowen ran wild. Not only did he go over the 2,000-yard rushing mark on the season, but he finished with 253 yards on 27 carries with three touchdowns. 

 

“He made a bunch of great cuts. Whenever they pinched in we were able to fold some blocks down and he was able to bang it outside and get a few more extra yards,” said Phares. “He’s just a special player.”

 

The game was essentially over at halftime. Bridgeport led 28-0 and the biggest amount of hope of an RCB comeback was squashed on the opening possession of the second half.

 

Bridgeport started on its own 30 and needed just three plays to cover the distance. Bowen started the drive with a 22-yard run and finished it with a 42-yard burst for six that put the Tribe up 35-0 after the fifth of six successful point-after kicks by Evan Ogden with 10:37 to play in the third quarter.

 

“That was something you have to do,” said Cole of the third quarter score that was one of the final daggers to the Eagles.

 

RCB did get a bit of daylight late in the third quarter. The Indians muffed a punt and the Eagles pounced on it at the Bridgeport 22 and went to work.

 

Ghovan Davidson put Robert C. Byrd on the board with a one-yard run on fourth down for six. Ryan Longerbeam’s extra point made it 35-7 with 3:47 left to play.

 

Any momentum, and any hope, would be wiped out on the Tribe’s next drive.  The Indians used eight plays to cover 75 yards that ended with D’Andre Holloway keeping it from one yard out. The point-after by Ogden proved to be the final points of the night with 22.7 seconds remaining in the third.

 

There would be no scoring in the final quarter. A running clock kept the game going due to the 35-point advantage.

 

BHS never trailed in the game and it took its lead early. And it provided a preview of things to come.

 

On the fourth play of the game’s first possession, RCB coughed the ball up and the Tribe’s Garrett Crumbless recovered. Immediately the Indians were in business at the Eagles’ 35-yard line.

 

It wouldn’t take long for the Tribe to capitalize on the miscue. After working the ball to the RCB 8-yard line, Devin Vandergrift kept the ball and scooted to the left. A Robert C. Byrd defender had a line on Vandergrift, but the junior quarterback planted and cut against the grain to go in untouched for the score.

 

“In a game like this, it’s huge,” said Cole of the early turnover. “The other thing is to capitalize on it. It’s great to get that turnover because the kids were playing hard, making something happen, flying to the ball, slowing them down and then to cash it in at that time in a game like this is really big.”

 

Defensive coordinator Adam King agreed with Cole. In fact, he was pleased with both turnovers that the Eagles had on the evening.

 

“The great part about the turnovers was that we forced both of them. On the first one someone got a nice little hit on the football and knocked it out. The second one, Jake ripped out,” said King.

 

Ogden then added the first of four successful first half point-after kicks and the Tribe was up 7-0 with 8:18 to play. Things would only get worse for RCB.

 

The Eagles appeared ready to shake off the early turnover and drove the ball deep into BHS territory on their next drive. RCB used eight plays to get to the Indians’ 24 to set up a fourth down play. Needing three yards, the Indians’ defense turned the play into a one-yard loss and took over.

 

On the next possession, the Indians would only need six plays to cover 75 yards and go up by two scores. After four straight runs by Bowen, Vandergrift kept it for 17 yards to set the stage for the next score. The Indians did a quick hitter to Trey Pancake at fullback and he outraced the RCB defense with a run straight up the gut for a 42-yard score and what would turn into a 14-0 advantage at the 2:04 mark of the first. Pancake would finish with 68 yards on eight carries.

 

Bridgeport’s defense was up to the task as the hosts forced a quick three and out on the Eagles next possession. RCB went to the air three straight times with no completions and were forced to punt from its own 14.

 

Although the Eagles got off an excellent punt, the Indians didn’t let starting at their own 38 late in the first quarter bother them. Instead, the Tribe started on a nine-play drive that appeared to be in trouble late.

 

RCB forced the Indians into a third-and-16 from the 30 of the Eagles when Bowen began to embed his will on the contest. Bowen went through the middle of the line, cut right and went 30 yards for the score with 9:08 to play before halftime and a 21-0 advantage.

 

If RCB thought things were bad, they were about to get worse. Three plays after the Tribe scored, Bowen not only stripped a Robert C. Byrd runner of the ball, but he also recovered it and the Indians took over at the RCB 42.

 

BHS needed just eight plays to get back into the end zone. And they converted on a fourth down play to get it done.

 

The Indians, who had already converted on a fourth down on the drive, handed off to Bowen and the senior exploded off tackle for the first down and touchdown to help make it 28-0 at the 2:33 mark. The score was made further demoralizing by the fact the Eagles again had the Tribe in a third and long situation on the touchdown run – this time third-and-13 – and couldn’t stop BHS.

 

Bridgeport finished the first half with 231 yards of offense. The Tribe had 207 yards rushing on 29 carries and added 24 yards passing.

 

Bowen led the way with 21 carries for 126 yards rushing. Pancake added five runs for 57 yards.

 

The Eagles usually potent offensive attack was shut down in the first two quarters. The Eagles had just 52 yards rushing and 39 yards passing for 91 yards of offense.

 

Davidson, the Eagles all-time leading rusher, finished with 74 yards on 21 carries to end one of the most spectacular careers in Harrison County history. Standout freshman Jeremiah King, who didn’t carry the ball much after the first quarter, finished with 24 yards on just four carries.

 

RCB quarterback Xavier Lopez finished 7-of-10 for 76 yards. He was sacked several times, including twice on one possession by Pancake.

 

“They’ve got a heck of a running game and either one of those backs can break it at any time. They also have the ability to throw it because Lopez is a good quarterback,” said Cole. “To go out there and do that and keep our momentum was huge.”

 

King praised his entire defense. He also was pleased with the showing of Pancake, his standout junior linebacker who made several big plays.

 

“He’s playing offense now so at times this year he’s looked tired. Tonight, his performance was big time,” said King.

 

Bridgeport will play the winner of Saturday’s 4 p.m. contest between No. 7 Keyser and No. 2 Bluefield. The game will be played in one of four time spots and chosen by the lowest remaining seed. The times available include 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday and 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. If Bluefield wins, the Indians will select the day and time. If the Golden Tornado are the winners. They will select the day and time.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen and Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.