Senior quarterback Willie Logan threw three touchdown passes and rushed for an additional score as the Bridgewater Eagles football team upended Emory & Henry by a 34-17 tally on Saturday afternoon at Fred Selfe Stadium.
The win for Bridgewater ended a four-game skid and handed the Eagles their first conference victory of the season.
Bridgewater got on the scoreboard in a hurry to open the contest. Junior Jordan Hartman returned the opening kick 58 yards to put Bridgewater in Emory & Henry territory to start the game. Six plays later, Logan connected with fullback Nick Wimer on a 12-yard pitch and catch and Wimer found the endzone to put the Eagles up 7-0 with 12:25 to go in the first quarter.
Emory & Henry moved towards midfield on the next drive before lightning caused a lengthy weather delay in the middle of the Wasps’ possession. Out of the stoppage, the Eagles kept the Wasps from going over midfield before forcing a Zach Nedzbala punt.
After an exchange from both teams, Bridgewater extended its lead to 14-0 as the clock waned down in the first quarter. Junior Jacob Wright bulled for six yards to get the Eagles into Emory & Henry territory before Logan connected with tight end Anthony Church to get the Eagles into the redzone. Four plays later, Logan bolted to the endzone on a one-yard keeper to put Bridgewater out in front 14-0.
Both teams were held in check to start the second quarter before the Bridgewater defense forced an Emory & Henry three and out with less than nine minutes showing on the second quarter clock.
On the first play of the next drive, Logan hit senior Cliff Woodard on a 52-yard strike to the endzone as the Eagles extended their lead to 21-0 midway through the second frame.
The Wasps responded with a score on their next drive. Emory & Henry turned to a heavy dose of Joe Vaughn on the ground as the Wasps drove deep into Bridgewater territory with less than three minutes to play in the half. An incomplete pass brought up fourth down at the Bridgewater five and Emory & Henry kicker Austin Breed split the uprights from 23 yards to trim the Eagles’ lead to 21-3 with 2:18 to go in the first half.
Bridgewater went three and out on its next drive before the defense came up with a big turnover in the waning moments of the half. Jack Wecker stepped in front of a Kyle Boden pass to put the ball back in the Eagles hands with 22 ticks remaining in the second stanza. Logan connected on three passes in 22 seconds to set up a 46 yard field goal from Chandler DeHaven. DeHaven split the uprights from 46 yards as the first half clock expired to put the Eagles up 24-3 at the break.
Emory & Henry used a big special teams play to help cut the Bridgewater lead to 24-10 early in the third quarter. Michael Cook‘s punt was blocked and was recovered by Emory & Henry at the Bridgewater one. Jonathan Turpin bulled in from the one on the next play to cut the Bridgewater advantage to 14 with 9:32 to go in the third.
The Eagles responded on their next drive to push the lead back to 21. Bridgewater averted a disaster when Wright recovered his own fumble in Emory & Henry territory before Logan delivered a 47-yard touchdown pass to Cassidy Burns on the next play to build the lead to 21 at a 31-10 score with 5:44 left on the third quarter clock.
Following a big three-and-out by the Emory & Henry offense, the Eagles went back on the march and moved into Wasps territory as the game shifted to the fourth frame. Bridgewater drove to the Emory & Henry five before being forced to boot a 24 yard field goal. DeHaven’s kick was good with 12:15 to go in the game as the Eagles went up by a 34-10 tally. The field goal for DeHaven was his ninth made attempt of the season, marking the highest total for a Bridgewater player since All-American Mike Padgett connected on 13 field goals in 1998.
Emory & Henry responded on the next drive when Boden hit Lucas Kirby on a 68-yard touchdown strike to cut the Bridgewater lead to 34-17 but it was as close as the contest would get as Bridgewater eventually took home a 34-17 victory over the Wasps, spoiling Emory & Henry’s Senior Day.
Logan finished the day 19-of-25 for 291 yards and three scores.
Wright finished the day with 60 yards on 21 carries, while Logan added nine yards and a rushing touchdown as Bridgewater was held to just 55 yards on 37 carries.
Wimer was Logan’s favorite target as the senior turned in career highs with five receptions for 70 yards and a score. Burns, Michael Colee and Shawn Lee each added three receptions to help lead the way for the Bridgewater receivers.
Defensively, linebacker Andrew Palmer was impressive turning in a game-high 11 tackles, including two for a loss.
Emory & Henry was led through the air by a 20-for-40 effort from Boden in his last game at home. Boden tossed one touchdown pass and was picked off twice on the day.
Vaughn rushed for 43 yards on 14 carries to lead the Emory & Henry rushing attack.
David Crouch tallied a team-high 10 tackles to lead the way for the Wasps’ defense.
Bridgewater controlled the clock in the game, owning a 36-to-24 minute advantage in time of possession. The Eagles were also efficient in the redzone, going 3-for-3 on the day.
The Eagles are back in action on Saturday at home when they host Randolph-Macon. Start time against the Yellow Jackets is set for 1 p.m.
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