Photo by Kim North Bridgeport’s A.J. Bishop (7) follows the blocking of Logan Baker (77), Matt Kusmicki (75) and Tyler Robinson (72) during Saturday’s 44-14 rout on Perkins Field inside Bill Jobko Stadium in Brookside. Bishop ran for 130 yards and two TDs.

BROOKSIDE — Bridgeport broke a 14-all deadlock after three quarters Saturday afternoon with 30 unanswered points in the fourth quarter en route to a 44-14 thrashing of visiting Mathews on sun-splashed Perkins Field inside Bill Jobko Stadium.

The lop-sided victory halted a two-game slide by the Bulldogs (2-2) with a trip to Bowerston to meet Conotton Valley (2-2) on Friday.

“We executed in the second half. We had to get settled down. We had three turnovers in the first half,” Bridgeport first-year head coach Andrew Yahn said. “I told them it’s what we do in practice every day. We can’t revert back to the bad fundamentals.. We just needed to do what we practice every single day. They (the kids) saw it in the second half, the things we talk about every day in practice … the almost-scoop-and-score, stripping the ball out of defense and the offense finishing drives.

“Hopefully the second half can be a springboard to the rest of our season,” he added.

After managing just 90 yards rushing in the first half, Bridgeport ran for 211 in the second half as the junior tandem of A.J. Bishop and Jaki Threet combined for 194 and four touchdowns — two by each. Threet had a third TD in the second quarter.

“They are both special players and we are pleased that they are on our team, but, honestly, it was a total team effort,” Yahn praised. “Guys were making plays on both sides of our lines.”

Bishop ran around the right end from 8 yards out to ignite the 30-point outburst. Braylon Lewis skirted the left end for the two-point conversion and a 22-14 lead the Bulldogs would not relinquish.

Bridgeport’s defense stiffened and forced a punt by the Mustangs (1-3). A high snap forced a quick kick that traveled just 14 yards, giving the Bulldogs possession at the Mathews’ 42.

On first down, the elusive Threetrolled to his right, tucked the ball and headed down the near sidelines. He cut back at the 35 and broke a tackle five yards later on his way to a 42-yard gallop. Lewis once again provided the two points and the lead was suddenly, 30-14.

Dylan Charlton scooped up a fumble by the Mustangs on their next snap, returning it to the Mathews 8. Justin Eckert caused the fumble.

After Bishop’s 6-yard run on first down, Dontaz White went the final 2 standing up. Jakob Heitor booted the PAT for a 37-14 advantage

The Bulldogs stopped the Mustangs on third-and-1 and White and Eckert combined for a fourth-down run, giving the ball back to the hosts at the Mustangs’ 28.

The first-down snap sailed over Threet’s head. He hesitated before picking it up, surveying the field in front of him. He broke to his right, found a seam and was off to the races down the near sideline for a 28-yard scoring run. Heitor’s extra point made it 44-14, prompting a running clock per OHSAA rules.

Following a scoreless and lackluster first quarter, Mathews broke the scoring drought on a 71-yard strike from Caden Brubaker to Dane Brubaker. Caden Brubaker then ran for the two points and an 8-0 lead. It was the only completion in the game for the Mustangs.

“I’m not real mad at our defensive back. He was being aggressive, trying to make a play,” Yahn noted. “I would rather us be too aggressive than too passive. So, I’m okay with that play.”

Threet’s 13-yard run up the middle allowed the Bulldogs to cut the deficit to 8-6 after the conversion run was short. Threet bulled over a Mustangs’ defender at the goal line.

The Trumbull Countians extended their lead to 14-6 when Drew Spagnoletta scored from 5 yards out with 6:25 left in the third quarter. The conversion run failed.

Bridgeport quickly responded as Bishop went up the middle, cut to his left and tip-toed down the near sidelines on a 63-yard scoring jaunt. It came just a play following a 65-yard sprint by Threet that was nullified by a holding call. Threet ran for the two points to knot the contest and set the stage for the fourth quarter eruption.

Bridgeport finished with 388 yards as Threet completed four passes for 87 yards, all to senior tight end Lyrik Brown. The Bulldogs defense held the Mustangs to 150, with a mere 51 coming after the intermission.

GAME NOTES

— One of the best running backs in Bridgeport history was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame during halftime festivities. Bryan Widmor, a 1997 graduate, ran for 4,391 yards and scored 64 touchdowns during his career. He was a two-time all-Ohioan.

— The 1974 football team that went 10-0 was also honored at halftime. Several coaches, players, cheerleaders and the trainer were in attendance.

— Saturday’s game was the first-ever meeting between the schools.