It’s been another solid, winning season for Bridgeport. The Indians made it to the semifinals of the state playoffs last year, falling to eventual state champion South Charleston 28-25.
This year, it was the start of a new era as first year head coach Josh Nicewarner took over the football program for previous head coach Bruce Carey.
“Having played for Bridgeport and really having so many family members played for Bridgeport, I knew kind of what I was getting into,” Nicewarner said. “I’m not sure you can ever fully prepare yourself for the kind of pressure and things like that coming into a job like this, but making the transition was fairly easy.”
The Indians had to replace a majority of starters on both sides of the ball this season. And while it took a few games to get that chemistry rolling at its peak, the Indians finished the regular season strong, winning six straight.
All season long, Bridgeport has been led offensively by senior running back Corey Wagner who has over 2,000 yards rushing on the year. Wagner, meanwhile, is hearing impaired and communicates the plays with a signer.
“Corey alone as a football player is unbelievable,” Nicewarner said. “His work ethic, as hard has he runs every single play and he’s had a lot of carries this year. And then you throw the fact in that he does have this hearing disability and he really is kind of a textbook, fairytale story. Everything he’s achieved, he’s really earned.”
In the opening round of the playoffs, Bridgeport pounded the football on the ground, eventually knocking off University 23-14. In the game Wagner rushed for 225 of Bridgeport’s 227 rushing yards. After the game he was named the WVMetroNews.com Player of the Week.
To hear the full feature with head coach Josh Nicewarner, click the link at the top of the page.
Past 2010 WVMetroNews.com Players of the Week
Week 1: Pocahontas RB Jesse Hoke – 263 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries
Week 2: Parkersburg RB Chad Collins – 229 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries
Week 3: Capital RB Keion Wright – 209 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries
Week 4: George Washington RB Felix Mollett – 240 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries
Week 5: Chapmanville RB Jake Robinson – Combined 674 yards rushing and nine touchdowns over two weeks
Week 6: Martinsburg RB David Gladden – 212 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 15 carries
Week 7: Tug Valley RB Austin Vance – 353 rushing yards on 18 carries, 86 receiving yards and 118 return yards
Week 8: Morgantown RB Joey Musick – 239 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries
Week 9: Madonna RB Connor Arlia – 306 yards and five touchdowns on 20 carries
Week 10: Meadow Bridge RB Tyler Bennett – 235 rushing yards and a touchdown
Week 11: Notre Dame QB Nolan Tucci – 7 total touchdowns