Friday football: No. 8 Great Bridge 42, Lakeland 0

By Chic Riebel

The Virginian-Pilot

SUFFOLK

Friday night’s showdown between unbeatens Great Bridge and Lakeland quickly became a showcase for just how complete a team the eighth-ranked Wildcats have become.

After establishing a running game in the first quarter – a rarity among recent Great Bridge teams – the Wildcats unleashed their usual high-octane passing game in the second and combined it with outstanding run defense to roll to a 42-0 victory.

With Brad Hudson picking apart the Cavaliers secondary, Great Bridge (4-0, 3-0 Southeastern District) scored four touchdowns in a span of seven minutes and 10 seconds to take a 28-0 halftime lead.

In the second quarter, Hudson completed 4 of 5 passes for 143 yards, including a 30-yard scoring pass to Zach Jones. He also scored one of his two touchdowns rushing on a 6-yard keeper.

“The run helped us get the passing game going,” said Wildcats tight end Nathanael Nelko, who caught a 31-yarder that set up one of Dominique Davis’ two second-quarter touchdown runs. “After that, Brad just found the guys who were open.

“Last year, we had two main receivers. Now he wants to spread the ball around and force the defense to choose who they want to guard.”

Hudson, who finished 8 of 12 for 253 yards, a TD and an interception after completing just 1 of 3 in the first quarter, spread his completions among five receivers.

“Brad is becoming more decisive, he’s more comfortable in the offense,” said Great Bridge coach Pete Gale, whose Wildcats are 4-0 for the first time since 1989. “Now it’s only a question of being more decisive in his actions.”

The running attack, with Davis dodging and darting for 81 yards on 17 carries, helped open up the airways. Almost lost in the thrashing was the play of the Great Bridge defense.

Lakeland (3-1, 2-1), which boasted Cedric Johnson, the area’s leading rusher and scorer, couldn’t move the ball on the ground. Johnson, who piled up 390 yards and nine TDs in his first three games, was held to 15 yards on 12 carries even though the Cavaliers opened the game with Johnson taking direct snaps.

“Coach really put the pressure on us to stop the run this week,” said Nelko, who also plays defensive end. “We just played hard and tough. The defensive line stepped up and the linebackers played the holes and didn’t miss any tackles.”

Notable stats – GB: Jones 2-40 1 TD receiving; Gould 2-91 receiving; Bray 2-62 receiving; Moore 2 INT. L – C. Johnson 4-40 receiving; Boykins 8-23-2 139 passing.

Chic Riebel, (757) 446-2367, chic.riebel@pilotonline.com