Bulldogs beat Wildcats in Paden City, 55-20
The Bridgeport Bulldogs came to Paden City on Friday night prepared to shut out the Wildcats on the gridiron, and did take the 55-20 win, but were surprised by the home team’s ambitious play.
Though they have had a dismal season thus far, the Wildcats played determinedly against the bigger Bulldogs.
Bridgeport scored 20 points in the first quarter and added 28 more in the second to lead the home team 48-0 at the half.
Wildcat senior Josh Bennett scored Paden City’s first touch down with 6:12 left in the third quarter on a 15 yard pass from quarterback Malakai Anderson. The extra point kick failed.
Just before the third quarter ended, Anderson ran the ball in four yards for the next Wildcat score. The two point conversion failed.
In the fourth quarter Bridgeport added their last score to the board with a 39 yard run, followed by the extra point kick. And then Wildcat senior, Mitchell Stewart, pulled in a seven yard pass from Anderson to tack six more points on the Green and White side of the scoreboard. The two point conversion was also good as Anderson found Stewart again for the two points.
The win allowed Bridgeport to keep their undefeated season record, while putting Paden City’s record at 1-3.
“They had good speed at skilled positions,” said Wildcat head coach Brent Croasmun of the competitors. “Their offensive line is probably the best we’ve faced all year.”
Bridgeport had 15 first downs in the game, Paden City acquired nine. The Bulldogs gained 307 rushing yards on 33 carries and 34 passing yards for a total of 341 yards. They completed two of five passes and were intercepted once. The Dogs were penalized four times for 32 yards.
Paden City rushed 30 times in the contest for 110 yards and had 99 passing yards for a total of 209 yards. The home team lost two of two fumbles and were penalized four times costing them 32 yards.
Offensively, Paden City quarterback, Anderson, carried the ball 12 times to gain 68 yards; Jordan Kerns had six carries for 25 yards; Keith Hardbarger rushed five times for 12 yards; and Bennett had seven rushes for five yards.
Anderson completed six of 14 passes for 99 yards, hitting two receivers, Bennett and Stewart for TD’s.
Bennett caught four passes for 84 yards; Stewart had one catch for seven yards, and also caught a two point conversion pass; Geoffrey Bidwell caught one pass for eight yards.
Defensively, Bennett led the team with seven tackles, one for a loss; Anderson had one tackle for a loss and one interception; Jared Stewart was credited with five tackles.
After a week long Spirit celebration at the school, the Wildcats will host the Hundred Hornets on Friday. Paden City will come to the game with a record of 1-3 while Hundred will try to pocket their first win of the season.