Class D-1 game of the night was played Friday in Bridgeport. It featured undefeated Hemingford and 5 and 1 Bridgeport. Despite falling behind by 20, it was the hosts downing the Cats 30 to 20. Three early Hemingford scores in the first period led to a 20 point lead. But slowly the Dogs started a comeback. B Port scored once in the opening period and once in the second as the teams went to half with the guests ahead by 8. The comeback continued in the second half. It culminated with 2 touchdowns by the hosts in the final 5 minutes as the Dogs got the win.
Hemingford’s linebacker Zaine Feist got the Cats on the board first with a fumble recovery TD return on the game’s first play. It went 10 yards and with 11:46 showing on the clock, Hemingford led 6 to 0. Another fumble return for a score from Feist from the 29 made it a 12 to 0 game with 9:26 left in the period. The Dogs were forced to punt on their next drive. At the 37, Bobcat quarterback Jacob Bryner raced around right end for a 43 yard TD carry. Feist added the PAT as the visitors increased their margin to 20 to 0. The Bulldog comeback started with a Bridgeport score on the host’s next attempt. After one period, the Cat lead stood at 20 to 6.
Quarter #2 was a rough one for Hemingford. The Bobcats failed to score and BP got close with a 68 yard TD run. A tackle by Tayten Haas stopped the ensuing PAT attempt. With 10 minutes left in the half, the board read Hemingford 20 Bridgeport 12. The rest of the quarter had both teams have chances but no score.
In the third, the Bobcat advantage went to 2. Bridgeport scored midway through the period on a 30 yard TD carry to make it 20 to 18. On the Bulldog’s next series, B Port got close but 2 tackles for losses by Bobcat Owen Plog helped Hemingford maintain their lead. More solid tackles by Feist in the fourth foiled another Bulldog try. Meanwhile, the Cat offense struggled as a three and out series at the 5 minute mark of the finale gave the ball back to the hosts. A hook and ladder play by BP set up the Dog’s next tally. With 4:19 remaining in the contest, the hosts took their first lead on a 19 yard TD pass. An incomplete pass by the Cats on fourth down gave the hosts the ball inside the 10 yard line. Bridgeport’s final points came on a 1 yard TD run with 2:11 left. Down by 10, a turnover by the Cats finished the game with Bridgeport getting the 30 to 20 win.
HEM 20 0 0 0 20
BP 6 6 6 12 30
Hemingford will host Perkins County on Friday.