MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Bluefield is in the Super Six for the 13th time under head coach Fred Simon, but this fall the Beavers have gone about their business on offense a different way.
The Bluefield passing game has expanded with first-year starting quarterback Carson Deeb tossing 32 touchdown passes, thanks in large part to a deep receiving core.
“Jahiem House has stepped it up. Then you also have Brandon Wiley. The Green brothers, Jacorian and Juwan — those guys have really helped us to where no one can key on a certain receiver and no one can key just on J.J. (Davis) now,” Simon said.
The Beavers still rely on a powerful ground game, led by future WVU lineman Sean Martin. After years of waiting behind some talented veterans, Davis has excelled as the feature back. He is closing in on a 2,000-yard season.
“In the past we had Mookie (Collier) and him, last year we had Juice (Edwards) and him, now he is kind of the featured guy,” Simon said. “He has gotten better at learning what to do when he gets the ball.”
Davis, Martin, Kaulin Parris, House and injured junior Isaiah Johnson will all compete at the Division I level.
That’s a luxury Bridgeport doesn’t have, but what Indians’ head coach John Cole does have is a solid group of veterans leading the team.
“It was that core of twelve or fifteen that made this possible,” Cole said. “The kids that are doing really well as seniors this year, that was the case.”
Bridgeport’s offensive script has been tweaked slightly this year with more snaps in the ‘Stick-I’ formation as opposed to the pistol. Four different backs have rushed for more than 500 yards, including senior Carson Winkie.
In just half a season as the featured back, Winkie has scored 15 touchdowns. He surpasses 200 yards in the semifinal win against Oak Glen.
“Two of our backs are blocking on every play,” Cole said. “The other backs, Brian Henderson and Trey Pancake, they both started to improve their blocking. That allowed Carson to go back there. For him, I think it started in the North Marion game. Ever since, he has gotten the bulk of the carries.”
Bluefield has eliminated Bridgeport in the semifinals in each of the past two seasons, limiting the Indians to 14 points in each game.
“They are very physical and hard-nosed,” Simon said. “Good old school football and there’s nothing wrong with that because that’s how we’ve been. We know that we have a big task at hand.”
“With the lack of stars, so to speak, it is just very special for these kids to make it to Wheeling,” Cole said. “Because I don’t think anyone ever really thought they were going to.”
Bluefield head coach Fred Simon interview
Bridgeport head coach John Cole interview