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Morgantown starts fast, slows Bridgeport for 10-6 victory

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Sean Biser didn’t sound like someone with extra incentive to beat Bridgeport, but considering Morgantown hadn’t done so yet in his tenure, the Mohigans’ head coach was well aware of the significance of Friday’s game.

Thanks in large part to his defense’s ability to rise to the occasion, Class AAA No. 6 Morgantown did just that, claiming a 10-6 win over the No. 3 Indians on Friday at Pony Lewis Field.

“This was the opponent we had this week,” Biser stated. “When we play Hedgesville, it will be the same way. Honestly, I do not try to consider one win bigger than another. Everybody is capable of beating you. I know that sounds like a coach speaking, but that is how I truly feel. Is it a great win? Absolutely. Is it a big win to kick off our season in the right direction? Absolutely.”

Morgantown’s defense repeatedly stepped up. The Mohigans (2-0) stopped Bridgeport numerous times in its territory, including a forced fumble with 2:10 left.

The Indians (1-1) had gotten the ball back following a defensive stop with less than 4 minutes to play, before the back-breaking turnover on their final possession.

“It was a momentum swing, which is what this game was,” Biser said. “This was a tough, hard-nosed game. We talk to our kids all the time about playing one play, and that play is the only one that matters. Not the last play and not the one coming up. Every play has a beginning and an end.”

Bridgeport was inside the red zone several times throughout the game, including two possessions ending inside the 17-yard line. 

“Every phase works with every other phase,” Biser noted. “Your kicking game works with your offense and defense. Your defense works with your offense. Everything has to complement one another. If your defense plays strong, you have more opportunities to take more chances. If your defense is not as strong, you must be more conservative to milk the clock. You have to play off your strengths.”

Morgantown jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to quarterback Maddox Bowers connecting with Jacob Keir for a 44-yard touchdown after the Tribe lost a fumble on their first play from scrimmage.

The Mohigans’ defense continued to step up throughout the first quarter, forcing multiple Bridgeport three-and-outs. MHS added to its lead on a 33-yard field goal from Aiden Stire that proved to be the team’s final points.

After going scoreless in the first half, the Indians got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter when Tyler Martin muscled his way through Mohigan defenders to score on a 10-yard run However, Bridgeport’s point-after try was unsuccessful, leaving the Mohigans’ with a four-point lead.

Despite the win, Morgantown struggled to generate offense and finished with 91 rushing yards on fewer than 3 yards per carry. Caleb Nutter led Morgantown on the ground, recording 52 rushing yards.

“I want the number to be the one that gives us the ‘W,’” Biser noted. “That team was tough between the tackles, and we knew it would be a tough sweat throughout the night. We didn’t expect to rush for 150, 200, or 300 yards, and we didn’t have any specific number. We were going to run the ball, and if we get what we get, that’s great. We were trying to mix it up and do whatever we could to get the ball down the field into the end zone.”

“As a former offensive lineman, I want to rush for 500 yards every game, but that isn’t going to happen against the competition we play.”

The Indians rushed for 165 yards and Martin led all players with 84 yards on 11 attempts.

Morgantown moves to 2-0 for the first time since 2016, and the Mohigans snapped a three-game losing streak in home openers.





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