Bridgewater football falls on the road at Emory & Henry, 31-7

A series of third quarter breaks went against the Bridgewater Eagles and Emory & Henry took advantage, scoring 31 unanswered points to run away with a 31-7 decision in Emory, Va.

Tight end Keith Jennings had a big day with 103 yards and a touchdown on five catches, although he lost a second half fumble that was perhaps the final nail in Bridgewater’s coffin. Nick Ollie rushed for 61 yards on 15 carries.

Logan Whitaker led the defense with nine tackles (six solo), adding a pass breakup and an assisted sack. Chance Morris added eight total tackles.

Rain began falling right around kickoff and picked up after halftime as the Eagles played their second straight road game in wet conditions.

A big Emory & Henry third quarter boiled down to the Wasp punt rush and bounces of the football. The Wasps got a piece of Tyler Dawson punt early in the third quarter to set up great field position. The Bridgewater defense made two plays near their own goal line, but Kevin Saxton found Isaiah Rodgers with a four-yard touch pass to make it 21-7.

On the next Eagle punt, Dalton Seat got the clean block to again give the hosts a short field.Anthony Moton, II forced a fumble by Tyree Ward but the receiver recovered the ball in the end zone for his third TD of the day and a 28-7 lead.

Bridgewater finally got a punt away later in the third quarter and the Wasps muffed it, but the Eagles blew the recovery and Emory & Henry kept possession.

The Eagles nearly got the big play they needed to claw back into the game as Jennings caught a deep ball over the middle at the beginning of the fourth quarter. After a 39 yard gain however, Ryan Byrd jarred the ball loose and Emory & Henry recovered.

Bridgewater had opened the scoring midway through the second quarter. Kevon White caught an 18-yard swing pass for a first down, and Peter Monteleone caught a 12-yard pass on third down to keep things going. Matthew Pisarcik then found Jennings in the corner of the end zone for another dozen yards and an Eagle lead.

Emory & Henry answered immediately, as Ward broke a tackle over the middle and took a pass 45 yards for the score.

The Wasps had another big play on their next possession, with Kelman Simpson breaking a short completion for 54 yards. Ward finished off the drive with a 9-yard catch from Saxton and a 14-7 halftime E&H lead.

There was very little offense in a scoreless first quarter. Bridgewater picked up a tough first down to Dylan Horne on their opening drive, but Ross Rushingwas sacked in Wasps territory to force a punt.

The next two BC drives would end the same way, as Ollie took a handoff 32 yards, but Rushing was soon sacked on third down. Later in the first, Pisarcik nearly found Logan Sullivan over the top but the pass was broken up by a big hit. A play later, the Eagles were again sacked on third down.

Emory & Henry finally got something going at the end of the first quarter. After the teams switched sides, the Wasps tried a 40-yard field goal to get on the board but Skyler Simcox pushed the attempt wide. Bridgewater would also miss a field goal in the second period, with Chandler DeHaven no good from 38 yards.

Saxton completed 20-of-36 passes for 271 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions. Ward finished with nine catches for 147 yards and three scores for Emory & Henry.

Bridgewater falls to 3-2, 1-1 ODAC, heading into a tough Homecoming matchup with conference preseason favorite Guilford. Emory & Henry sits in a tie for first place at 4-1, 2-2.