The Bridgeport High School football team went over 600 rushing yards for the second time in the modern era on Friday night en route to a 72-24 victory against John Marshall Friday night in Moundsville.

The Indians had more than 300 yards on the ground in the first half as the starting backfield trio of Zach Rohrig, Josh Love and Tanner Hathaway combined for seven touchdowns before halftime and a commanding 50-17 advantage, ensuring the team's first-ever trip to Monarch Stadium would be a memorable one.

They would go on to finish with 603 rushing yards, the only team since 1997 with more was the 2021 squad that set an all classes playoff record with 690 against Jefferson in a 74-49 victory in the Class AAA quarterfinals.

The 72 points scored against John Marshall marks the fifth time in school history the Indians have scored more than 70. In addition to the 74 points in the playoffs against Jefferson in 2021, the Tribe beat Preston that year, 72-0, in the regular season. Prior to that there was a 71-29 win against Elkins in 2015 and a 71-0 victory against St. Marys in 1921.

"I was proud of the kids' effort," BHS coach Tyler Phares said. "It was tough to come on a long road trip."

The win also improved the Indians' record to 29-1 dating back to 2004 in games following a loss.

The Monarchs struck first with a 40-yard field goal from Connor Fitzpatrick. Sophomore quarterback Kayden Knapp connected with Dimario White with one big pay on the drive, a completion of 24 yards on third-and-long.

Running the ball however proved to be an issue for John Marshall as the BHS defense came up with three tackles for a loss on four separate run plays. That trend would continue throughout the first half.

The 3-0 deficit proved to be short-lived for the Tribe. Rohrig returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards. Four plays later, Rohrig was in the end zone with his fifth touchdown of the season, this one from 5 yards out. A two-point conversion run made it 8-3. The big play on the drive was a run of 41 yards by Josh Love.

The Indians' Cam Martin intercepted a Knapp pass and returned it to the John Marshall 16. Tanner Hathaway capped a three-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Donovan Williams caught a two-point conversion pass from Love to extend the lead to 16-3.

"The first time I was running through, I knew I was getting in the end zone," Hathaway said. "I saw that hole and the linemen did it for me."

Williams had a huge tackle for a loss on the John Marshall drive prior to Martin's interception. Williams came up with another TFL on the next defensive stand to help force a punt.

A good return from Cale Culicerto gave the Tribe the ball at the Monarch's 25. The first play from scrimmage resulted in a 25-yard touchdown run by Love.

Another TFL from Williams helped lead to another John Marshall three-and-out. Culicerto again set up the Indians with great field position, returning the punt to the 21. Three plays later, Love had his second TD, this one from 7 yards out. Avery Williams came on to kick his first of eight PATs and Bridgeport led 29-3 early in the second quarter.

The BHS secondary came up with another turnover on John Marshall's next drive as Rohrig picked up his first interception of the season. He ran for 35 yards on first down, Cam Martin followed with an 11-yard run and Hathaway finished things off with a 20-yard touchdown to make it 36-3 with 6:28 left in the half.

After the BHS defense forced another punt, Rohrig carried the ball for a run of 5 on first down before ripping off a 29-yard TD run to make it 43-3.

White woke up the home crowd with a 90-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff. Bridgeport countered with a seven-play drive that was capped with Hathaway's third score of the half, this one covering 19 yards to give Bridgeport a 50-10 lead with 59 seconds to go in the second quarter.

The Monarchs had one more big play before heading off to the locker room at the half. Knapp hit White with a 12-yard pass on first down and then with 16 seconds on the clock he found Cain Martin for a 67-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining to make it a 50-17 game through the first two quarters.

The Bridgeport defense had eight tackles for a loss in the first half, including one sack by Aidan Sparks, and they held the Monarchs to (-) 17 rushing yards.

Rohrig reached the end zone on the first BHS possession of the second half, scoring on a 67-yard touchdown run, his third of the game and seventh of the season. The play also put the senior standout over 200 yards for the second time in three games. It also sent him further up the school's all-time rushing yardage list.

Rohrig finished with 207 yards on 13. He surpassed C.R. Rohrbough (2,315) and Alex Sutton (2,404) to move to ninth on the all-time list at 2,418. He trails only Jake Bowen (4,406), Corey Wagner (3,583), Dylan Tonkery (3,401), Cam Cole (3,197), Brett Hathaway (3,183), Anthony Bonamico (3,006), Dante Bonamico (2,818) and Mark Gray (2,427).

The Indians added second-half touchdown runs by Alex Moses and Grant Hoskins. The Monarchs got a late touchdown run from Jackson Helm.

Love added 118 rushing yards on seven carries against the Monarchs to go along with his two touchdowns.

Hathaway finished with 68 yards on seven carries and three scores.

Moses (56), Rider Pepper-Jackson (55) and Landen Gillum (54) all topped the 50-yard mark in the game for the Tribe.

The Monarchs didn't get on the positive side of the rushing total until their final drive late in the fourth quarter. Knapp finished the game with 180 yards passing with White catching four passes for 77 yards and Cain Martin catching three for 81 yards to lead the way.

The Indians will return to Wayne Jamison Field for Week 4 as Fairmont Senior (3-0) comes to town.