Despite controlling play in the second half and limiting the Hampden-Sydney opportunities in the contest, the Bridgewater Eagles football team fell to the Tigers by a 28-7 score on Saturday afternoon at Everett Stadium.
Hampden-Sydney used a quick score to take control of the game early. The Tigers used a reverse on the opening kickoff to send Sidney Henry down the sideline 90 yards to the endzone and put Hampden-Sydney out in front by a 7-0 score.
Bridgewater moved into Hampden-Sydney territory on its next drive before things stalled out just across midfield, handing the ball back to the Tigers’ offense.
Following the exchange, the Tigers embarked on a 10-play, 87-yard scoring drive that was capped off by an eight-yard strike from Nash Nance to Holton Walker to build a 14-0 Hampden-Sydney lead with 7:08 left in the first.
The Eagles continued to pound the ball on the ground on the ensuing possession and again moved into Hampden-Sydney territory before being forced to boot the ball back to the Tigers. Despite the deficit, the Eagles tallied six first downs in the opening quarter of play, but stared down a 14-0 hole heading to the second frame.
Both teams settled in as the rain intensified in the second quarter with the bulk of the stanza being played in the middle of the field.
Hampden-Sydney added a touchdown late in the second quarter when Brady Macko sprinted into the endzone from the one to build a 21-0 Tigers advantage.
Bridgewater marched deep into Hampden-Sydney territory in the waning moments of the first half before settling for a 47-yard field goal attempt. Chandler DeHaven‘s kick missed wide to the left as the Eagles trailed by a 21-0 score at the break.
Out of the halftime break, both teams went three and out before the Eagles used a long, clock-grinding drive to move inside the Hampden-Sydney end. After 17 plays, and a drive that lasted over nine minutes, the Eagles were met with a fourth and goal from the Hampden-Sydney two. The Eagles went into field goal formation, but pulled the snap and senior Matt Prokop sprinted off the left side but was tackled in the backfield as Bridgewater was held out of the endzone to keep the score at a 21-0 Hampden-Sydney lead.
In the fourth quarter, Nance took a designed keeper off of the right side of the line and turned up field and sprinted 35 yards to the endzone as Hampden-Sydney ran out to a 28-0 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Bridgewater answered the Hampden-Sydney score with one of its own off of another lengthy drive. Logan hitJeffrey Moore on a five-yard route to cap of a 17-play, 71-yard drive which cut the Hampden-Sydney lead to 28-7.
The Eagles attempted the onside kick, but couldn’t recover the kick, while Hampden-Sydney went into victory formation to earn a 28-7 victory.
Bridgewater was led on the ground by a 61-yard effort from junior running back Jacob Wright. Logan added 54 yards to help pace the Eagles to a 109-yard afternoon on 36 carries.
Quarterback Willie Logan finished the day with a 20-for-44 effort through the air for 183 yards and a score. Moore was the leading receiver for the Eagles with five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was the first for Moore in his young career.
Defensively, Andrew Palmer led the way with nine tackles including a season-high three tackles for a loss.
Nance paced the Tigers offense with 78 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The junior finished the day with a 14-for-24 effort through the air for 192 yards and a score.
Walker led all receivers on the day with eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Shreve Rohle, Josh Doggett and Robert Stack each tallied 10 tackles to lead the Hampden-Sydney defense.
Bridgewater is back in action on Saturday at home in a Homecoming clash with Guilford. Kick off from the Jopson Athletic Complex is set for 1 p.m.
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