FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Class AA No. 3 Bridgeport held East Fairmont to just 20 yards on 18 plays in the first half and cruised to a 36-0 win Thursday night.
Leading 28-0 at the break, Bridgeport (3-0) rested its starters in the second half.
“It was good that our kids came out early and could handle a little bit of success,” said Bridgeport coach John Cole. “We made a couple of mental mistakes on the line and that doesn’t please me. But they played hard and that was the good thing.”
The Indians were led by Brice Haines with 64 yards on nine carries and Jake Bowen added 34 yards on three carries.
Backup sophomore quarterback Devin Vandergrift ran for two touchdowns, starting in place of senior John Merica who had a leg injury.
East Fairmont fell to 0-3.
Bridgeport’s win sets up a Class AA showdown with rival and No. 2 Fairmont Senior next week — a rematch of last year’s semifinal classic the Polar Bears won in double-overtime.
“Is it a big game? Yeah, but it’s the next game,” Cole said. “It’s not December yet, we’re not in the postseason yet. Hopefully we will play hard and execute. That’s what we have to be focused on.
“Fairmont Senior is good,” he continued. “They have linemen back and (Bryson) Gilbert is all over the field. He can line up anywhere and be effective. Their new quarterback (Connor Neal) is a player, too. It’s going to be a big challenge for us, but thankfully they’re coming to our place.”
Cole said he anticipates Merica to return for that matchup against Fairmont Senior.