LEXINGTON, Va. -- Junior tight end Van Williams (Smithfield, Va./Isle of Wright Academy) caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jason Lutz (Basye, Va./Stonewall Jackson) in overtime to lift fourth-ranked Bridgewater to a 34-28 win over Washington and Lee in ODAC football action at Wilson Field on Saturday afternoon.
The play was the Eagles' first offensive play in overtime after stopping the Generals on their overtime possession. W&L senior placekicker Brad Wiginton's (Plano, Texas/Plano Senior) 53-yard field goal attempt was blocked by junior wide receiver Brian Ratliff (Timberville, Va./Broadway) as the Generals failed to score on their possession.
Bridgewater (7-0, 4-0) had a chance to win the game with 16 seconds remaining in regulation, but freshman placekicker Joel Lemasters' (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) 22-yard attempt was blocked by W&L senior linebacker Jeff Bahl (Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Country Day) setting up the overtime.
The Generals (4-4, 3-2) led the game 7-0 at the half after freshman wide receiver Allen DeBard (Dallas, Texas/Warren T. White) hauled in a nine-yard touchdown pass with 11:59 remaining in the second quarter.
The Eagles scored on their first possession of the second half as senior running back Davon Cruz (Glen Burnie, Md./Allegheny) found paydirt on a one-yard run with 9:12 left in the third quarter. The Generals responded on the ensuing kickoff as junior running back Chris Sullivan (San Antonio, Texas/Alamo Heights) returned the kick 89 yards for a touchdown to give W&L a 14-7 lead.
The Eagles again tied the score (14-14) as senior defensive end Jeremy Fox (New Kent, Va./Clover Hill) stripped the ball away from senior running back Marc Watson (Marietta, Ga./Walton) and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter.
Washington and Lee responded on its next possession as Watson scored on a 28-yard run to give the Generals a 21-14 lead. However, the Eagles scored on the very next offensive play as senior wide receiver Marcus Richardson (South Boston, Va./Halifax) hauled in a 52-yard touchdown reception from Lutz to knot the score at 21-21. Watson fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Cruz scored on a six-yard run three plays later to give the Eagles a 28-21 lead with 14:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.
W&L tied the game at 28-28 with 4:58 remaining in regulation as Watson scored on a 31-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Peter Dean (Vienna, Va./James Madison).
Washington and Lee was led by Sullivan, who rushed 27 times for 109 yards. Watson carried the ball 18 times for 85 yards and caught four passes for 46 yards. Dean completed 13-of-27 attempts for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Bahl led the defense with 14 tackles and a sack.
Bridgewater was paced by Cruz, who rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. Richardson caught four passes for 107 yards, while Lutz completed 9-of-21 attempts for 153 yards and two scores. Sophomore linebacker Jermaine Taylor (Miramar, Fla./Miramar) led the defense with 13 tackles and a sack.
The Generals will return to action next Saturday as they travel to Emory & Henry for a 1:00 pm contest.
-- GENERALS --
