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Bridge highlights VMI football scrimmage

Chris Graham

Rising sophomore wide receiver Dexter Bridge snagged touchdown receptions of 38 and 65 yards to highlight VMI Football’s first spring scrimmage held Saturday at Foster Stadium in Lexington.

Bridge, who caught 13 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman last year, led all receivers with four catches for 65 yards and the two scores during the 60-play workout held under sunny morning skies.

The Keydets employed two quarterbacks and both signal callers produced similar numbers. Junior Eric Kordenbrock completed six passes of 14 passes for 119 yards and connected on the 65-yard TD strike to Bridge during the second half of the workout.  Redshirt junior A.J. Augustine also completed six of 14 aerials – good for 107 yards and a 38-yard touchdown pass to Bridge to open up the scrimmage’s scoring.

“It was a great scrimmage,” proclaimed head coach Sparky Woods afterwards. “Nobody got hurt and everybody got to work. I saw some good things on defense with some guys rushing that quarterback. I saw some catches and good downfield runs. Saw some backs run, we have to hold on to that ball, but maybe our defense had something to do with that and that is something we haven’t done – getting some hands on the ball on defense.”

Redshirt freshman Derrick Ziegler topped the rushing charts with 32 yards on seven carries while redshirt junior David Turner chipped in four rushed for 20 yards and helped set up a scoring drive. Sophomore Jabari Turner added three carries for 17 yards.

The defense registered sacks by senior Shawn Chapman, redshirt defensive lineman Mike Maloney, senior defensive lineman Charlie Jones, and redshirt junior defensive lineman Justin Smith. The secondary also generated two pass breakups by redshirt freshman defensive back Brendon Bock and a pass break up redshirt freshman linebacker Damien Carter.”

“I was encouraged,” said Woods. “It was great to see Dexter Bridge with his play making ability, and on defense, I was impressed by Ty Garvin (inside linebacker), and Charlie Jones and Justin Smith on the defensive front. I think it was a successful day. I’m glad we don’t have to play today, but we’re going to try to make sure we are ready to go in September. That’s the goal.”

SCRIMMAGE NOTES – After the workout, the coaching staff presented the “Iron Keydet” awards to redshirt senior running back H.L. Temoney and senior defensive lineman Shawn Chapman for top marks in off-season strength and conditioning.




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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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