Bridgeport’s Jaki Threet evades a defender Friday during the Bulldogs’ 43-6 win over the Valley Lumberjacks inside Perkins Field. Threet ran for 223 yards and five touchdowns in the game. Photo by Joe Lovell

BROOKSIDE — Bridgeport High celebrated Homecoming in the grandest of fashion Friday night.

The Bulldogs put the bite on winless Valley, 43-6, at Perkins Field. The win was the third against four blemishes for Coach Andrew Yahn’s improving charges.

The Bulldogs rolled to a 43-0 halftime advantage. Consequently, the second half was played with eight-minute quarters and a running clock.

As a result, Bridgeport enhanced its hopes for an OHSAA playoff berth. The Bulldogs entered the contest ranked 15th in the D-VII Region 27 playoff standings. The top 12 teams in each region earn postseason berths.

Bridgeport returns to action Saturday afternoon, hosting Oak Glen.

Kyra Elizabeth Whitmore was crowned Bridgeport High Homecoming Queen at halftime.

The Bulldogs’ lopsided triumph over the Pine Grove-based Lumberjacks was fueled by Jaki Threet. The electric senior rushed for 223 yards and five TDs. In the process, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the campaign and now has 22 TDs.

Threet did all his damage in the opening half as Yahn played his reserves the entire truncated second half.

“Jaki is a special player,” Yahn said. “He has a great ability to make defenders miss. He had another incredible night tonight.”

Valley was its own worst enemy. The Lumberjacks turned the ball over four times (three fumbles and an interception). All four miscues led to Bridgeport touchdowns.

Valley received the opening kickoff and fumbled away possession on third down. Three snaps later, Threet scampered up the middle for a 12-yard TD run. Augusto Bettini added the PAT.

Valley’s second possession ended just like the first – a lost fumble. Owenn Clark capped a 42-yard drive from two yards out. Threet passed to Bode Brown for the two-point conversion, making it a 15-0 lighting.

On the ensuing possession, Threet pilfered a Lumberjack pass at the Valley 39. Eight plays later, Threet scampered in from 13 yards out. Bettini made it a 22-0 issue.

Bridgeport continued its first-half onslaught via three more Threet TD runs, covering 43, 21 and 58 yards, respectively.

Valley averted the shutout by scoring with 4:21 left in the contest when junior quarterback Colton Kinkade ran it in from the six.

Bridgeport rushed for 291 yards. Clark gained 33 stripes on four carries. The hosts added 18 yards in the air.

Valley collected 145 yards on the ground. Kinkade led the way with 85 yards. He also completed three of nine passes for 38 yards.

“This is a game we needed. We respect all our opponents but we knew if we played like we are capable of, it is a game we should win,” Yahn said. “Next week will be big for us. Oak Glen is a big school with a good record.”

Both teams were penalized four times. The Bulldogs were assessed 40 yards compared to 35 for the Wetzel Countians.