This week's return to Homewood field for the Blue Jay football team was anything but pleasant as the Bridgewater Eagles handed them their first loss of the season, 50-27. The loss dropped the Blue Jay's record to 2-1 on the season.
The defense, which in the previous two games had allowed only nine points, conceded a 212-yard, four-touchdown performance to Bridgewater's senior running back Davon Cruz.
"It's always disappointing to lose," said Coach Jim Margraff. "They were just a physically tougher team with a great back."
The Jays jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on a 36-yard field goal by senior Matt Andrade and then were able to recover an onside kick in the first quarter.
However, on the ensuing drive, Bridgewater's Lonnie Parker picked off a toss from senior quarterback Rob Heleniak and ran it 47 yards for a touchdown, putting the Eagles up 7-3.
After the Jays were forced to punt the ball, Cruz broke through the defense for an 84-yard run and his first touchdown of the night.
The Jays kept the game close, however, answering on the next drive with a 23-yard pass from Heleniak to Sophomore wide receiver Jason Lehman to make it 14-10.
Cruz continued his running assault, adding another touchdown to make it 21-10 in the second quarter.
Once again, the Jays answered with a 72-yard touchdown drive to make it 21-17.
The four-point deficit would be the closest the Jays would be for the rest of the game.
With less than two minutes left in the half, Bridgewater punched in a touchdown from one-yard out to improve to a 28-17 lead.
The Eagles would add three more touchdowns in the second half while holding the Jays to only one touchdown near the end of the game on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Heleniak to freshman Nate Readal.
"I thought we put ourselves in a good position to win at points," said Margraff "But we will never win a game in which we turn over the ball five times. And especially facing the No. 3 team in the country, we just shot ourselves in the foot."
Turnovers plagued the Jays throughout the game as they gave up the ball five times, allowing the dangerous Eagles offense to go to work.
The turnovers helped to negate a 478-yard, 91-play offensive performance. Freshman running back Adam Cook, who was filling in for senior captain Scott Martorana, rushed for 120 yards on 18 plays. Lehman ended the day with four receptions and 80 yards and senior Zach Baylin added seven receptions and 57 yards.
Baylin's performance continues to drive his assault on the record books.
As of this week Baylin is fifth in conference career receptions with 150 and is fifteenth in career receiving touchdowns.
The Jays' experience and depth in the passing game seemed to help them overcome the loss of Martorana, who was sidelined with an ankle injury during the week.
Martorana's injury is just one on an injury plagued team looking to recuperate in the weeks ahead.
It is not known how long Martorana will be out of action.
The Jays face conference opponent Gettysburg away next Saturday who comes off a 61-6 romp of Averett. The game is Gettysburg's homecoming.
"It's always tough to win on the road on an opponent's Homecoming, especially against the team with a tradition like Gettysburg's," said Margraff.
Gettysburg and their strong Wing-T offense, which racked up 395 yards of rushing offense last week, will be a good gauge as to whether the Blue Jays can summon strength and comeback after a tough loss.
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