Photo/KRISTIN MAZGAJ SHADYSIDE running back Wyatt Reiman carries Bridgeport defender Sean White for yardage during the first half of Friday’s game at Fleming Field. Also pictured for the Tigers is Logan Crozier (72). Reiman had another huge game and the Tigers cruised to a 51-6 victory.

SHADYSIDE – Rebounding in championship fashion.

Shadyside, coming off a tough-to-swallow 13-12 loss to rival Bellaire a week prior, responded impressively, bouncing Bridgeport, 51-6, in an OHSAA mercy-rule contest Friday night at Fleming Field.

The win was the seventh in eight starts for the Tigers. In the process, Coach Mark Holenka’s well-schooled charges moved closer to clinching the OVAC 2A crown.

Two-time all-Ohioan Wyatt Reiman once again flashed his immense talent. The 175-pound dynamo was a one-man wrecking crew.

Reiman carried 11 times for 185 yards and four TDs, all in the first half. In addition, he had a 97-yard TD romp called back due to a Tiger penalty. The senior star again surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

Reiman was supported by a host of teammates, topped by Mason Vannest. The explosive senior, playing just his second game since incurring an injury in the season opener, tallied two TDs, one being a 26-yard pass reception from Ben Wach and another on a 71-yard punt return. The punt was fielded by Reiman who pitched it back to Vannest.

“It was a good bounce back game for us. It is also made nicer since we came out of it healthy,” Holenka said. “We got everyone some playing time and contributions from a lot of players.

“We need to continue to grow and polish things up,” he added. “We want to close out the regular next week playing well.”

Shadyside entered the game ranked third in Division VII Region 27. The Tigers visit Monroe Central Friday.

Bridgeport fell to 2-6 on the year. The Bulldogs are scheduled to travel to Paden City Friday.

“It seems like every week that we have to deal with adversity outside of football. That was the case again this week,” Bridgeport’s classy head coach Fred Ray offered. “But give Shadyside credit. They are an excellent team.”

Shadyside rolled to a 20-0 lead in the opening quarter.

The Wach-to-Vannest scoring connection started the scoring parade. It was followed by touchdown runs of 31 and 9 yards from Reiman.

The hosts tacked on four more second-quarter touchdowns as the lead mushroomed to 45-0 at intermission.

The six-pointers came on Vannest’s punt return, Reiman jaunts of 8 and 39 yards and a 3-yard aerial connection from Wach to Elijah Brock.

Shadyside made it a 51-0 lighting via an 11-yard scoring burst from sophomore Mark Waggoner in the fourth quarter. Bridgeport averted the shutout in the waning seconds when quarterback Colin Jackson scooted in from the 24.

Shadyside finished the contest with 266 yards on the ground. Wach completed 6-of-7 passes for 71 yards.

Bridgeport was limited to 89 total yards. The stifling Tiger defense was spearheaded by a dominating performance from senior Ryan Florence.

After the game, a special celebration was staged at midfield, honoring Reiman. He was paid tribute for establishing school records for most TDs, career rushing yards, most points, most touchdowns in a game and most consecutive games scoring.

“It is nice being honored,” Reiman offered. “But it would not have been possible without my coaches and teammates.”

Shadyside clinches the OVAC championship with a win at Monroe Central. It would be Holenka’s sixth OVAC title in his 13 years at the Tiger helm.