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BRIDGEPORT -- Several years ago the Madonna-Bridgeport matchup was one of the top small school games in the Ohio Valley. The two teams played up to the billing, too, and the games were hard fought and the final score close.
They got away from playing each other for awhile but will clash again Friday in a renewed series. Kickoff at Bridgeport is set for 7 p.m.
The Blue Dons celebrated the season-opening 34-0 win over Tuscarawas Central Catholic Saturday night and Sunday, but when Monday rolled around Darrin Hicks' club was back on the practice field focusing on the Bulldogs.
Hicks unleashed a powerful ground attack against the Saints that featured junior Donavan Kirby, who carried the pigskin 31 times for 227 yards. His running mate, Hunter Baird, ran for 114 yards on 26 carries.
Junior quarterback Gavin Dietrich, making his first start under center, completed a pair of passes for 26 yards and a touchdown, while Chayce Lemley completed a 20-yard scoring toss to Vinnie Pulice. In all, the Blue Dons dented the Saints' defense for 402 yards on 70 snaps.
Hicks, however, was pleased the most by his defense that limited the Tusky offense to a measly 88 yards on 32 plays.
"I can't say enough about our defense," Hicks said. "I believe it was the first shutout by a Blue Don defense in several years. Our defensive coaching staff of Tyler Ossman, defensive backs coach Tom Kikascik and line coach Peter Melnyk had an outstanding game plan, and the kids executed it perfectly.
"Now I'm excited about playing Bridgeport again and the kids are focused. We had another good day at practice Monday. Bridgeport has lost to two really good teams. I think they are a good team despite the two losses, well-coached with a lot of good athletes."
The Bulldogs lost to Southern Local (2-0) in the season opener and were walloped 60-22 last week by Toronto (1-1).
Madonna could get an edge on the Bulldogs because the Blue Dons scrimmaged with Southern Local in the preseason.
"I don't know how much it will help us, but it's a common opponent thing, and I think it will help us knowing what Southern local was capable of and how they executed against Bridgeport," Hicks said. "I'm just excited that Madonna and Bridgeport are getting back together again. I think it will be good for both teams, good for the fan bases. I believe it is important that the teams in the Ohio Valley play each other. I know Madonna has a proud tradition and Bridgeport does as well."
Hicks added that fans will see a Bulldog offense that spreads out with four receivers, and they do a lot of bootleg passing. The bootleg, he explained, is a play-action pass from a run scheme. The quarterback goes away from the run action.
"I don't know if I've ever seen a team throw as many boots as Bridgeport has in the two games," he said. "Films show they've used the bootleg 16 or 17 times in the two games."
Hicks said the Blue Dons will have to make some blocking adjustments this week because Tusky Central had a three-man defensive front, while the Bulldogs play a 4-4 scheme.
"Bridgeport played hard against Southern Local and got better as the game went on. Toronto is a very physical and well-coached team. I thought Bridgeport took some forward strides in that game despite the score," Hicks said.
The game will be the second of three straight road trips to begin the Blue Don season. They finish the road trips with a Sept. 15 game at Beallsville.