The running game and the defense do their job in a big win.

Dayton Gilbreath rushed for four scores and Ross Cobb added two more as the Bainbridge football team kicked off the year with a 41-7 victory over the North Kitsap Vikings.

It’s their fourth straight victory over their rival from Poulsbo.

Gilbreath scored on the first drive of the game that was helped by a offsides penalty from North and a 26-yard pass play from Jordan Wagner to Stephen Dacquisto.

The senior co-captain scored from 8 yards out.

Gilbreath added two more scores of one and 10 yards in the second quarter.

Kyle Brose scored on a 75-yard screen pass to open the third quarter for the Vikings, but Gilbreath scored from four yards out with 6:58 left in the third to take away the Vikings’ momentum.

Bainbridge then recovered two fumbles, converting one into a 10-yard touchdown run by Cobb.

The senior scored again from 13 yards out with 8:51 left in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.

Bainbridge forced four turnovers and several players had tackles for losses.

The Spartans travel to Bremerton next Friday to play the Knights.

Game time is at 7 p.m.