BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Bridgeport is the only team returning to the Super Six from 2013. The Indians are attempting to win back-to-back state football championships for the first time in school history. A win this year would represent the school’s eighth football title.
“We are very excited to be a part of the showcase again at Wheeling,” said Bridgeport coach Josh Nicewarner.
Bridgeport fell behind 7-0 for the second consecutive week before reeling off 48 unanswered points in a 48-7 semifinal win over Wayne. Junior Dylan Tonkery rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns as the Indians executed in dominant fashion up front. Bridgeport finished the game with a season high 507 total yards.
“We started the year with several new guys up front,” Nicewarner said. “To see them come up big like this is really great to see. The guys in the backfield moved up from secondary or support roles on last year’s team and they’ve really become productive as the season has moved along.
“I wasn’t particularly happy with the execution (on offense) coming off the quarterfinal round week but the blocking against Wayne was phenomenal,” Nicewarner said. “That’s even after watching the film. I was very, very pleased.”
Tonkery has become the Indians big play runner. He has rolled up 447 yards on the ground in the last two games. He has scored nine touchdowns in the playoffs and six of those have gone for 42 yards or longer.
The Bridgeport defense stymied a Wayne offense that came in averaging 33 points per game. Wayne was rushing for an average of 240 yards per game but it was held to 220 total yards of offense by the Indians.
“I would have to grade our defense A-plus,” Nicewarner said. “It’s been that way all season long. Just fantastic play the whole way.”
Bridgeport has held eight of its 12 opponents to 10 points or less.
The last time Bridgeport played in consecutive championship games was back in 2000 and 2001. The Indians won the 2000 championship beating Wayne but they lost to Poca in the 2001 title game.
“It’s been an emotional matchup each of the last two weeks,” Nicewarner said of the quarterfinal win over rival Robert C. Byrd and then the rematch of last year’s tight championship game against Wayne. “We’ve had very physical games back to back as well.
“People ask how you can get excited and ready to play again. It’s simple, it’s a no-brainer. This is what you play for the entire season. You are playing for the championship,” he said. “We don’t necessarily focus on who we are playing. We focus on ourselves and our preparation and how we play. A confident football team is a dangerous football team and we’ve got a lot to be confident about as long as we realize how we got there and the work it takes. I think we’ll put a pretty good performance together.”
Bridgeport will have to deal with one of the top players in the state in 6-foot-7 quarterback Gage Shaffer of Frankfort. Shaffer is committed to play his college football at Maryland.
“Gage is such an improved player as a senior,” said Frankfort coach Kevin Whiteman. “He’s so much smarter and he contributes on both sides of the ball.
“But he’s a humble kid,” Whiteman continued. “He doesn’t brag and he makes sure he’s a leader first. The other kids just love him.”
Frankfort’s third trip to the semifinals resulted in the school’s first trip to the championship game. The Falcons beat Westside 49-16 in the semifinals last week.
“I just proud of this team because of its commitment,” said Whiteman. “We’ve got a good football tradition and we’ve made the playoffs many times, but this is something that I’ve always wanted and the team and school has always wanted.”
Brady Watson was another key for Frankfort in that semifinal win as he scored five touchdowns. Shaffer also did some great work on defense with a couple of key interceptions.
“This past week was huge,” Whiteman said. “There was a lot of pressure and emphasis on that game to get us to Wheeling. In the end, we just relaxed and played. Hopefully we can do that again. There are areas we can improve on. We know we are the underdog but I think there might be a wrinkle or two we can throw in there to give us a little better chance. It’s very special to be here, but we want to win the game. We know we’ll have to play our best game of the season to accomplish that.”
Bottom line, the Falcons and their fans will make the trip to the Island with a chance to win a state football championship for the first time.
“We’ll have four spectator busses coming and I’m sure there will be additional people driving there,” Whiteman said. “I know Bridgeport has that great tradition and I know their fans will be there. I think will have an outstanding representation at the game as well.”
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