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WEIRTON -- With a Class A playoff berth and a Class 1A OVAC title on the line this week, Madonna had to find an opponent. It could not risk taking another week off to accomplish those goals.
Insert Bridgeport, a team that has not played the previous two weeks due to COVID-related issues with its opponents. The Bulldogs wanted one more opportunity to conclude the season on the field.
So, the teams decided on a rare Wednesday night contest. The Blue Dons emerged victorious, 32-14, clinched that postseason berth (they entered this week 15th in the rankings) and won an OVAC title for the first time since the championship 2013 season.
Madonna (7-2), now riding a six-game winning streak, started off sluggish and battled to a scoreless tie after one quarter. Then, the Blue Dons clicked, mainly Thomas Sessi. The senior scored three times in the second, giving his squad an 18-0 halftime advantage.
Overall, Sessi caught seven passes for 145 yards and two TDs. He ran for 72 and two scores. Arlia completed 19 of his 33 pass attempts for 267 yards. Lucky Pulice had 99 receiving yards on nine catches, as well as an interception. Evan Daniels recorded a sack.
For Bridgeport, Mason Aberts ran for 36 yards, threw for 82 (completed 8 of 9 attempts) and caught another for 65. Jon Bugaj ran for 35 yards. Jackson finished 10 of 18 for 96 yards.