Preston falls at Bridgeport, 63-14
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BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – One week after a 38-point victory over Spring Valley, Bridgeport felt that wasn't enough offense and put up 56 points in the first half vs. Preston County, helping drive the Tribe to a 63-14 victory and giving their soon-to-be graduates a memorable night.
The night's results propel Bridgeport to a 6-2 record on the year, while the injury-riddled Knights drop to 2-5.
The scoring started early, with a play-action fake leading to a 44-yard touchdown pass from Graham Vincent to Gavin Williams with just under 10 minutes left in the first quarter. Williams would have a busy first quarter, as less than five minutes later he would take in a carry from 16 yards out to give the Tribe a 14-0 lead.
The third G in the Indian backfield, Gabe Martin, would soon find his way into the end zone via a 13-yard touchdown run, further bolstering their advantage to three scores.
Less than a minute later, the Knights would tack on their first score of the game through an in-route from quarterback Rowan Cramer to Xavier Walcott, who slammed the accelerator and took it 81 yards. The first round of play would end with Bridgeport on top 21-7.
It wouldn't take long for the Tribe to extend the lead back to 21, with Vincent flipping a pass to Williams, who would turn it into a 50-yard romp for 6.
Following another stop, Martin found an opening and housed it again, this time from 36 yards out, putting Bridgeport on top 35-7 with nearly 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
The next Knight drive is where Williams would etch his name into an interesting touchdown trifecta, picking off a pass from Cramer and breaking multiple tackles en route to a 72-yard pick-6, making the game 42-7 Bridgeport.
Not many people can say they've had a receiving, rushing and interception return for a touchdown in a single game, but Gavin Williams is now part of that club.
Preston would respond quickly and put down another long touchdown, with Cramer finding Jake Gibson for a 60-yard catch-and-run to make it 42-14 Bridgeport.
This relief wouldn't last long, however, as the ensuing kickoff saw Maddox Conley nearly take a squib kick to the house before being knocked out at the 1. Eli Knight would do the honors from the 1-yard line, boosting the Tribe lead back to 35 with a little over four minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Following a Preston turnover, Martin would take a direct snap from his own 35 and expertly weave through the Knight defense for a web gem of a 65-yard touchdown, solidifying a 56-14 halftime advantage.
Following the break, the second half quarters would be shortened, and fresh faces would get their chance to make heads turn. The last score of the game came from Zach Hickman on a 9-yard touchdown run, etching the 63-14 senior night victory in stone.
Following the game, Preston County head coach Mark Deep spoke on his team’s performance and battling through the injury bug. “We had some big plays mixed in early on. It’s a machine we’re going against with Bridgeport, right?” said Deep.
“They weren’t getting big chunks early on in the game, which is good, but then they got us with that pass. I think our offense did a couple good things, but we’re banged up. It’s just the injury bug hit us, JV also. We have to get back and get healthy. I know we’re going to have one or two back next week; that’s the key for us is getting healthy and getting ready for University High.”
Bridgeport honcho Tyler Phares said postgame, “I mean, anytime there’s some good, some bad, definitely things we can get better at. We’re excited to get back on Monday and get back to work.”
Phares also reflected upon seeing his upperclassmen walking on their senior night. “You really get a chance to step back and see what these kids look like as eighth graders. Coming through our doors the first time, to weightlifting, and to watch some of these guys go. Four years of battling and all the practices, and to see them come up and make some big plays and get to go out and have fun was enjoyable for me.”
Williams finished with 38 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, along with 95 yards receiving and two scores and a pick-6. Martin would have 9 totes for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Vincent had 95 yards through the air and 2 scores. Jaylen Brown also went 7-7 on extra points.
For the Knights, Cramer ended the night with 10 completions for 201 yards and 2 scores. Walcott had 81 of those and 1 touchdown, and Jake Gibson the other comprising his 60 yards. Kaleb Stone put up 36 yards on 2 catches, and William Crosby added 26 on 3 grabs.
Individual Statistics
Rushing
PR -- Rowan Cramer 9-24, Bubba Watson 5-18, William Lilly 4-12,Crosby Taft 1-(-4), Kaleb Stone 1-(-1), Jake Gibson 2-(-3), William Lilly 4-12, Jason Plum 1-(-2), Brody McCleary 1-(-5).
BP -- Gabe Martin 9-190, Gavin Williams 4-38, Noah Davisson 3-32, Trey Spatafore 3-18, Zach Hickman 2-13, Eli Knight 2-2.
Passing
PR – Rowan Cramer 10 of 17 for 201 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
BP -- Graham Vincent 2 of 2 for 95 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Receiving
PR – Xavier Walcott 1-81, Jake Gibson 2-58, Kaleb Stone 2-36, Crosby Taft 3-26, Jake Kilkenny 2-0.
BP -- Williams 2-95.
PR;;7;7;0;0;-;14
Bridgeport;;21;35;0;7;-;63
BP -- Williams 44 pass from Vincent (Jaylen Brown kick)
BP – Williams 16 rush (Brown kick)
BP – Martin 13 rush (Brown kick)
PR – Walcott 81 pass from Cramer (Brady Taylor kick)
BP – Williams 51 yard pass from Vincent (Brown kick)
BP – Martin 36 rush (Brown kick)
BP – Williams 72 interception return (Brown kick)
PR – Jake Gibson 60 pass from Cramer (Taylor kick)
BP – Eli Knight 1 rush (Brown kick)
BP – Martin 65 rush (Brown kick)
BP – Zach Hickman 9 rush (Brown kick)