WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senior quarterback Hagan Driskell (Ruther Glen, Va./Caroline) posted a career-high four touchdown passes and wide receiver Tyler Beiler (Ronks, Pa./Conestoga Valley) hauled in three touchdown passes as the Bridgewater Eagles (8-2) football team posted a 38-28 victory over the Catholic Cardinals (4-6) to round out the regular season.
Bridgewater's eight wins on the year marks the most since the 2006 season.
Following a short drive from the Cardinals, Bridgewater's ensuing drive chewed up eight minutes before setting up the Eagles from the one-yard line on fourth down. The Eagles elected to go for it, but running back Darrin McKenzie (Rustburg, Va./Brookville) was met in the air, keeping the game scoreless with under six minutes to play in the first stanza.
Catholic went three and out on the following drive, before a Beiler punt return gave the Eagles excellent field position inside the Cardinals 30.
Bridgewater took the lead four plays later on a three-yard route to fullback Nick Wimer (Grottoes, Va./Spotswood) to put the Eagles ahead 7-0.
Catholic responded in a hurry when a 65 yard kick return set the Cardinals up at the Bridgewater 10. The Cardinals punched it on the next play on a 10 yard pass to Mike Smith to knot the game at 7-7.
Following a fumble on the kickoff and a three-and-out, cornerback Damien Ward (Chesterfield, Va./Louisa County) the Cardinals punt, giving Bridgewater excellent field position at the Catholic 39.
The Eagles regained the lead four plays later when a 25-yard strike from Driskell to Beiler putting Bridgewater ahead 14-7 with 13:25 to play in the first half.
Bridgewater looked to force a three-and-out, but a roughing the kicker penalty breathed new life into the Cardinals continuing their drive. Catholic capitalized on the Bridgewater miscue four plays later when a 13-yard Smith carry tied the game up at 14 each with 10:13 left in the second quarter.
On the following possession, Bridgewater used a 45 yard streak to Beiler to regain the lead at a 21-14 tally which is where the game would remain as it entered the halftime intermission.
Out of the intermission, Bridgewater marched right down field on the Cardinals, with the assistance of two personal fouls before Driskell caught Beiler again, this time from 31 yards out to put the Eagles ahead 28-14 with 13:34 to play in the third stanza.
Catholic answered nine plays later when a Greg Cordivari pass to Alonzo Cooke from eight yards out bridged the gap to a 28-21 tally.
The touchdown exchange continued when Driskell accounted for his fifth touchdown of the day on a one-yard QB keeper to put the Eagles ahead 35-21 with under five and change to play in the third.
Following a pair of exchanges, Bridgewater added to its lead when Jordan Thacker's (Hickory, N.C./Fred T. Foard) career-long 43 yard field goal split the uprights to put the Eagles ahead 38-21 with under 14 to play in the game.
Catholic mounted a nine yard, 54-yard drive on its ensuing possession to bring the score to a 38-28 tally with 10:14 remaining off of a Mike Smith 25-yard reception, his second of the game.
Bridgewater got the ball back with 4:45 to play and used up the remainder of the clock to pick up its eighth win of the year with a 38-28 triumph over the Cardinals at Cardinals Stadium.
Through the air, Driskell was exceptional, completing 20-of-23 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Driskell completed 17 straight passes along the way, setting a Bridgewater school record for consecutive completions and a career-high with four touchdown passes.
On the season, Driskell posted the program's best touchdown to interception ratio with an 18-to-4 ratio. The Ruther Glen, Va. native finished the season with 83 pass attempts without throwing an interception, Driskell's four interceptions is the lowest single season interception total for a Bridgewater quarterback that attempted at least 100 passes in a season.
On the ground, senior Thomas Tate (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) barreled for 83 yards on 18 carries to lead the way.
On the receiving end, Beiler ended his stellar Bridgewater career with a six catch, 125 yard afternoon. Beiler hauled in three touchdown passes along the way, upping the career touchdown receptions record to 30 and the single season record to 16. On the year, Beiler hauled in 61 pass for 1,342 yards.
Defensively, senior T.J. Montague (Reston, Va./South Lakes) recorded a team-high nine tackles. Montague leaves Bridgewater with 213 career tackles, good enough for 13th on the career tackles list.
Catholic was led on the ground by freshman Mike Pitsenberger's 80 yards on 19 carries.
Through the air, Cordivari was 14-of-26 for 88 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Backup quarterback Chris Gazda went 3-for-6 for 33 yards in a limited role.
On the receiving end, Smith hauled in six catches for 35 yards and a pair of scores.
Defensively, Christian Pavik posted a game-high 16 tackles to led the way for the Cardinals defense.
Bridgewater outgained Catholic by a 471-to-296 tally, and owned the time of possession battle by a 37:42 to 22:18 tally.