BRIDGEPORT’S Mason Aberts makes a move in the open field during Friday’s win against Federal Hocking.

BROOKSIDE  – Winless no more.

Bridgeport scored early and often in lancing Federal Hocking, 48-0, Friday night at Perkins Field on Senior Night. The win was the first in five tries for the Bulldogs.

The writing was on the wall immediately.

Bridgeport coach Fred Ray opted to open the game with an onside kick. The Bulldogs successfully recovered it and scored one snap later – and the rout was on.

  “It (the win) feels really good. We have had to deal with a lot of adversity,” Ray said. “We couldn’t practice until yesterday (Thursday) because we were under quarantine. Today, we had a little walk through.

“We started the game very impressively. We were aggressive from the outset,” he continued. “It was also nice to get the shutout. The defensive played very well.”

The Bridgeport defense yielded just 108 total yards on the night to the Stewart-based Lancers. The 0-4 visitors suited up just 12 players.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, amassed 419 yards in offense, 296 of those stripes come via the ground game.

The second half was played under OHSAA mercy-rule guidelines.

Senior dynamo Aiden Tarr ignited the rout. One snap after the onside kick, Tarr bolted 43 yards to paydirt. Mason Aberts ran in the conversion for an 8-0 Bridget edge.

Later in the opening chapter, sophomore Michael Marshall scampered 23 yards for the hosts’ second TD, capping a five-play drive at the 4:31 lighting.  Peyton Pyle ran in the conversion, upping the Bulldog advantage to 16-0.

Marshall set up the next Bridgeport score, covering a Federal Hocking fumble on the ensuing possession. Five plays later, Colin Jackson speared Jason Aubrey with a 33-yard scoring strike with 1:56 left in the opening quarter. Jackson ran in the conversion for a 24-0 count.

Bridgeport used  a 67-yard gallop by Marshall to stretch its advantage at the 9:38 juncture of the second period. Jackson located Aberts for the bonus points as the lead mushroomed to 32-0.

The Bulldogs made it a 40-0 issue with 2:23 remaining in the second quarter as Jackson and Tarr hooked up on a 58-yard scoring strike.  Jackson located Aberts on the conversion pass.

A Federal Hocking special teams gaffe pushed the Bridgeport lead to 42-0. Forced to punt from deep in their own territory, the Lancers’ center snapped the ball out of the end zone for a safety.

Bridgeport dropped the curtain on the night’s scoring via a 31-yard run by senior Sean White.

“We got contributions from a lot of players. Offensively, we ran the ball well and had several big plays,” Ray said. “We dominated the line of scrimmage. It was a great team win.

“The last few weeks have been tough having to deal with COVID issues. Hopefully, we can get some normalcy to the situation,” he added. “Now, we must get ready for Beallsville. Tonight was a good confidence booster.”

Marshall led the Bridgeport rushers with 96 yards on just three carries. Tarr went for 74 stripes on only four totes while Pyle collected 62 yards on nine carries. He also pilfered a Lancer pass.

Jackson was perfect in the air, completing all six of his tosses for 123 yards and two TDs.

“Hopefully, this points us in the right direction. We have a chance for some more wins,” Ray offered.