Class AA title: Bridgeport’s to lose? Indians enjoy the hype

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The early outlook, for the most part, on Class AA this coming football season has been pretty simple. There’s two-time defending state champion Bridgeport — and then there’s everyone else.

“I like the attention and I like the hype,” said Bridgeport coach Josh Nicewarner. “I think it tends to motivate us more than it hurts us. Now, all that there is left to do is go out and play like it.”

The Indians rolled to a second straight title in 2014 with a 43-7 win over Frankfort in the Super Six. Bridgeport’s other playoff wins included a 48-7 victory in the semifinals over Wayne, a 35-14 quarterfinal win over rival Robert C. Byrd and an opening round thumping of Liberty (R) 50-14.

That dominating run — and multiple key returning players — has set the stage for high expectations again for the Indians.

“It’s as nerve-racked as I’ve been as I’ve been in five years as a head coach,” Nicewarner said. “I think the kids are expecting (a third straight title) and there are plenty of people telling us how good we are and how it’s us and then the rest of Class AA – that can get to you. A lot of things can happen.”

If Bridgeport could capture a third straight championship, the Indians would join Poca as the only programs to win three consecutive Class AA football tittles. The Dots accomplished the feat from 2001-2003.

“To do something like that would obviously be great,” Nicewarner said. “But that’s for way down the road and, quite honestly, we’re not looking at it right now. But these kids do hear all of the talk and I look at it as a positive, trying to get them to understand that they have to go out each week and back it up.”

Among the skill-players back for the Indians are quarterback Zack Spurlock and running backs Elijah Drummond, Dante Bonamico and Dylan Tonkery — all four are heading into their senior seasons.

“They are just such competitive kids and they bring that to practice,” Nicewarner said. “When we get them fired up, we can see the dynamic of the team change, which is a very positive thing this early on in the season.

Dylan Tonkery ran for 315 yards to set a Class AA Super Six rushing record as Bridgeport won its second straight state championship last year by beating Frankfort 43-7.
Dylan Tonkery ran for 315 yards to set a Class AA Super Six rushing record as Bridgeport won its second straight title with a 43-7 win over Frankfort.

Tonkery, a WVU commit, overcame an injury last season to finish with 1,559 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns following an incredible postseason. He set a Class AA Super Six rushing record with 315 yards in that championship win over Frankfort, propelling himself into a fifth place finish in the MetroNews Player of the Year vote.

“Dylan had some nice runs last year where he did a lot of the work, but the backs can’t do everything,” Nicewarner said. “If you’re not blocking up front or have guys missing blocks, our running backs can’t work miracles.”

Bridgeport, overall, returns six starters on offense and six starters on defense. A couple of up-and-coming players who have had solid preseasons include junior Nick Muller at defensive end and junior J.T. Harris.

“Nick is a wiry kid who goes full speed and has a small chip on his shoulder. I’m very high on him defensively,” Nicewarner said. “J.T. has played football in the past, but took a couple of years off. He was excited about coming out and looked good in June. He has not disappointed us thus far. I think they’ll both be big impact guys for us.

Jake Griffith and Seth Marshall are also welcomed additions along the offensive line – Griffith didn’t play a season ago, while Marshall hasn’t played since his freshman campaign.

The Indians open up the season on the road against Buckhannon-Upshur, which is coming off of a Class AAA playoff appearance. Bridgeport follows up that contest with a home game against Wheeling Park – the lone loss for the Indians in 2014.

“Buckhannon has some momentum after a playoff year and Wheeling Park is in the discussion for a nice run in the Class AAA playoffs this year,” Nicewarner said. “Our schedule is definitely a test for us early and we have to take it one game at a time. This season won’t let up much, I really look for it to be a challenging schedule and we will have been battle tested come November.”

2015 BRIDGEPORT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK TEAM DATE
1 buckhannon-upshur-wv at BUCKHANNON-UPSHUR
August 27
2 vs. WHEELING PARK
September 4
3 lewis-county-wv at LEWIS COUNTY
September 11
4 at ROBERT C. BYRD
September 18
5 east-fairmont-wv at EAST FAIRMONT
September 25
6 elkins-wv vs. ELKINS
October 2
7 keyser-wv vs. KEYSER
October 9
8 north-marion-wv at NORTH MARION October 16
9 bridgeport-wv BYE WEEK
October 23
10 fairmont senior-wv vs. FAIRMONT SENIOR
October 30
11 preston--wv vs. PRESTON
November 6

OTHER 2015 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

Brooke

Capital

Clay-Battelle

George Washington

Hurricane

Jefferson

Martinsburg

Morgantown

Parkersburg South

Preston

South Charleston

University

Wheeling Park

Williamstown

Winfield

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