BRIDGEPORT -
No. 2, undefeated Bridgeport welcomed No. 3, also unbeaten George Washington to Wayne Jamison Field Friday night for a semifinal high school football playoff match up. These two last met in the post season in 2009. Bridgeport won that game. It was the last time GW was shut out.
In the first quarter Bridgeport got a drive going. Brett Hathaway broke loose from the line and chugged all the way down to the 12 yard line for a 34-yard run. A few plays later, on second and goal from the one yard line, Hathaway finished it off. The Indians scored first and took a 7-0lead.
GW had to punt away its ensuing possession. That is where it became a game of mistakes. John Koon touched it, but didn't grab the ball from the punt. GW recovered it. On a first and 10 play for the Patriots from the 12 yard line, Ryan Switzer took the handoff but fumbled the ball. Bridgeport recovered that time.
In the second quarter of action, Bridgeport was capitalizing on the turnover, but at the five yard line Brett Hathaway fumbled. GW got the ball back.
As the Patriots were driving, Trever Bell dropped back, threw high and Malik Hampton was 37 yards down field for the catch. A few plays later, a name Bridgeport was warned about, Switzer took the handoff, turned on his speed and went 42 yards for GW's first points on the board. The game was tied 7-7 at that point.
In the third quarter of the game, GW got the first possession but Bridgeport got the momentum as John Koon pulled down an interception. On the Patriots next possession it was the same result as Curtis Stanley pulled in the best Good Hands interception of the season.
The Indians couldn't score off the turnover and the game moved into the fourth quarter. Switzer quickly bobbed and weaved GW into scoring position. A few plays later, from the one yard line, Switzer dived the ball in for a score. The Patriots took the lead 14-7.
With less than three minutes to play, Bridgeport went for a conversion on fourth down and three. The ball was on the 30 yard line. Brett Hathaway took the ball but was stuffed by the GW defense.
The Patriots got the ball on downs and two plays later Ryan Switzer found a hole and went 55 yards, dodging a couple of tackles, for a GW touchdown. The Patriots then led 21-7.
Bridgeport managed another touchdown with four seconds left on the clock but it was too little, too late.
George Washington ended Bridgeport's magical season with a 21-14 victory.
The Patriots move on to play in the Class ‘AAA' state championship game Saturday, Dec. 3 at Wheeling Island Stadium.
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