BC Beats First-Place W&L

Daily News-Record - by Jeremy Cothran

BRIDGEWATER — The opening salvo came just seven seconds after kickoff.

Setting the tone for a game that restored a sense of normalcy after two unsettling losses, Bridgewater College freshman David Argaud plastered Washington & Lee receiver Colton Ward on the initial kickoff Saturday, and the Eagles went on to manhandle the first-place Generals 27-8 at Jopson Field.

Only several ill-timed penalties in the red zone kept the Old Dominion Athletic Conference contest from turning into a laugher.

“We should have won this game, like, 60-8,” BC senior tailback Winston Young said. “We blew them out. That’s how badly we outplayed them.”

The Eagles (6-2 overall, 2-2 in the league) piled up 266 yards rushing, including a game-high 94 by Young in his final home game. Junior quarterback Jeff Highfill added 90 rushing yards, and his ability to read defenses out of the spread option sparked the running game.

“We talked all week about how we would attack them like that,” Highfill said. “It helped to space them out, and it gave me opportunities to run with a lead blocker. It worked out real well.”

In a symbolic nod to prolific ex-offensive coordinator Bob Colbert – who was in attendance – the Eagles had no problems moving the ball against the ODAC’s No. 1 defense, gaining 367 yards. Afterward, the Generals sounded like they’d been run over by a Mack truck.

“It’s a different type of offense than what we’re used to seeing,” W&L coach Frank Miriello said. “It’s a two-back, in-your-face type of offense. We did a nice job on [Hampden-Sydney’s] Josh Simpson, that’s an example of the running backs we’ve shut out. This is power, in-your-face.”

Junior tailback Phillip Carter added 77 yards rushing for BC.

The Eagles’ decision to run the football – they carried a season-high 60 times – was based on strong wind gusts Saturday afternoon that limited both teams’ ability to move the ball through the air.

“It was definitely a factor,” Generals quarterback R.J. Varner said, adding that he’s never before played in such conditions.

The 40 mph gusts also wreaked havoc on special teams, most notably when Eagles place-kicker Luke Taylor – who missed two field goals – tried to convert an extra point in the second quarter, and the ball landed on the right side of the end zone.

BC received a stellar performance from its defense, holding the Generals (6-2, 4-1) to 148 yards of offense, intercepting two passes and sacking Varner four times. Senior defensive lineman Tony Burt called it the most complete effort he’s seen this season.

“It was just dominating,” said Burt, who finished with four tackles, a forced fumble and a half sack.

The Eagles opened the game with a nine-play, 52-yard drive for a touchdown, capped by a 5-yard run by Young, who leaped over a diving linebacker for the score. Young said the leap was intended to combat the W&L players who were diving at his ankles.

“I told Phil on the sideline to watch his legs,” the 218-pound back said. “They were just going at them blindly. That’s why I kept jumping. Nobody wants to hit me square up. You hit me square up, I can bet that I’m going forward.”

BC pushed the lead to 14-0 on a 7-yard dash by Highfill in the second quarter, his ninth rushing TD of the season. Following a three-and-out by W&L, Carter made it 20-0 with a 5-yard run just before halftime.

Clark said earlier in the week that his game plan was to force the Generals and Varner to play from behind, something he had yet to do this year after taking command in W&L’s second game.

Miriello agreed that the early deficit was a hindrance to his rookie.

“He’s a freshman, a work in progress,” Miriello said.

Varner cut the lead after halftime with an 8-yard pass to receiver Jack Martin, a touchdown set up by a 63-yard bomb to Martin just two plays earlier. The Generals botched the extra point with a low snap, but holder Garret LeRose ran the ball over the right side for the conversion.

BC added the coup de grace with an Austin Icaza fumble recovery in the end zone late in the fourth period.

The Generals tried to motivate themselves after reading comments made by Eagles cornerback Josh Knight, who questioned the talent level at W&L.

“Well, I think everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Ward said.

“Whatever gets you ready for the game. Coach used that as a little bit of fire to get us ready to play our game.”

Knight, a former Harrisonburg High School star, said afterward that he stands by his comments, and added he never really worries about providing bulletin-board material.

“Nah, man,” Knight said, gold caps gleaming in his mouth. “I was just telling the truth. Three [players] can’t beat 11. [Ward] was a little salty about it. He had a few words for me after the game.”

But Knight said he couldn’t elaborate on their post-game chat.

“I don’t think you can print that.”

Washington & Lee still controls its ODAC destiny and can clinch the conference title with a win next week against Emory & Henry. Bridgewater’s stunning back-to-back losses to Guildford and Emory & Henry all but destroyed the Eagles’ hopes for a sixth straight league championship.