Whenever Preston looks back at its 2014 season, it probably won’t wonder what happened in the first nine games nearly as much as what happened in the last 90 seconds of the first half and first 11 of the second half of its contest tonight with Bridgeport.

 

In that span of time, the Knights went from looking at the possibility of a one possession game to being on the wrong end of a five-touchdown deficit. In the end, the Class AA No. 2-ranked Indians would roll to a 48-13 win against PHS to move to 9-1 on the year and secure home field advantage throughout the postseason.

 

Although the math isn’t official, North Marion’s first win of the season against Lincoln may have provided a bonus point for Bridgeport that could leave them as the No. 1-ranked team in the state. If not, Frankfort will secure that top spot. Details on that later on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

Preston finishes the year at 5-5 and watched its slim hopes of joining the Class AAA playoff field dashed. And they have what amounted to arguably the most disastrous two minutes of their season to blame for it.

 

Despite the final score, the game was far from out of hand when Preston began what would prove to be its only serious scoring threat of the first half. In fact, the Knights had drove from their own territory and had a first-and-10 at the Bridgeport 27-yard line with less than two minutes to go before halftime.

 

At worst, it seemed the Knights would be down two scores at the break. At best, it appeared the hosts could score a touchdown late to make it a one possession game.

 

As it turned out, it would be worse for Preston – much worse. And the Knights had Dante Bonamico to thank for it.

 

After Bridgeport’s defense stopped the Knights on fourth down, there was a minute and a half left to play when Bridgeport took over at its own 24-yard line. Instead of being conservative with their defense, Preston put 10 men in the box and the Indians would make them pay.

 

A toss sweep to Bonamico resulted in the speedy junior going to the side, and then cutting back across the field. Once he got past the first wave of defense along the line, he simply outran everyone 76 yards to the end zone. Following the first of seven successful Koby Kiefer point-after kicks, it was now 21-0 Bridgeport.

 

For those believing the worst had happened to PHS, they were sorely mistaken. Despite time running out, the Knights tried to throw the ball down field.  A deep pass play with time winding down was picked off by John Wilfong at Bridgeport’s 30-yard line as 26 seconds showed on the clock.

 

Again, Preston stacked the box and, again, the Indians made them pay. After a six-yard run by Zack Spurlock and a 15-yard personal foul penalty was tacked on, Bridgeport had a first-and-10 with 13 seconds left in the half at the Preston 49 yard line. The distance and time proved no match for Bonamico.

 

Taking yet another pitch, Bonamico exploded into open field and was gone. Forty-nine yards later nearly any hopes Preston had of pulling off the upset and sneaking into the Class AAA playoff field evaporated thanks to a flurry of Bonamico offense and a quick 28-0 deficit.

 

The fumes of hope were then snuffed out in lightning fashion in the third quarter. After getting the second half kickoff, Bridgeport started at its own 37-yard line and would need just one play to score again. With Preston’s defense again cheating in and selling out for the run, quarterback Zack Spurlock kept it and found end Mackenzie Holmes all alone for what turned into a 63-yard touchdown pass and a 35-0 lead.

 

As it turned out, the nightmare wasn’t over. Three plays later, Zack Bombardiere got into the act. He intercepted a Preston pass and returned it 42 yards for a pick six and a 42-0 lead with 10:07 left.

 

Incredibly, in the span of less than four minutes and covering nine plays from scrimmage, Bridgeport had managed to score 28 points. After that, it was left up to the reserves to mop things up.

 

The quick scores were in stark contrast to the first two scores of the game. In fact, faced with a sloppy field in Kingwood, the Indians used the type of demoralizing drive to start the game that consistently spelled doom for foes in the past.

 

The Tribe’s opening drive covered 69 yards, but required 18 plays before Spurlock ended it with a three-yard run on a quarterback keep with16 seconds showing on the first period clock. Bridgeport converted on three-of-five third downs – including two third-and-nine plays – and on the two failed conversions the Indians converted two fourth downs to keep the drive alive.

 

Bridgeport’s next drive may not have chewed up as much yardage or clock, but it was just as damaging. The Tribe used 10 plays to cover 64 yards and go up 14-0 with 6:38 to play in the first half. Bonamico scored the first of his three first half touchdowns from three yards out.

 

By the end of the first half, Bonamico had 157 yards on nine carries. It would be the entire yardage he would get as he wouldn’t carry the ball in the second half. In fact, Bridgeport would have 268 of its 400 yards in the first half as the offense and defense were both clicking in a game that saw nearly everything go Bridgeport’s way.

 

Early in the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Gordon Swiger set the way for the final score by hitting Hunter Haddix on a touchdown pass. The scoring pass was sandwiched between a pair of touchdown runs by Preston’s Josiah Nuse, who finished with 19 carries for 122 yards.

 

Nuse became the first back to finish with 100 yards rushing against Bridgeport this year. However, he had just 13 carries for 36 yards against the Tribe’s first team.

 

For the game, Preston finished with 213 yards, including 193 yards on the ground. Of that total, 143 yards came in the second half; most of which were against the Bridgeport reserves.

 

Bridgeport closes the year with eight straight wins. Last year, Bridgeport did the same – losing to Wheeling Park in week two – before closing the year with a Class AA state title.

 

Click HERE for a photo gallery from the game.

 

Editor's Note: Dante Bonamico breaks free for one of his two late first half touchdowns in the top photo, while Dylan Tonkery battles for first quarter yardage against Preston in the second photo. In the third photo, the BHS defense made things miserable for Preston all night long. In the fourth photo Gordon Swiger hands the ball off to Andrew Barker, while John Merica runs for some second half yardage for the Tribe in the bottom picture. Photos by Tyler Maxwell of www.benqueenphotography.com.