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Harrison County-based sportswriter Chris Johnson dies

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Long-time WKMZ contributor Chris Johnson, the famed high school sportswriter and advocate who worked with the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, WKMZ and more recently Connect-Bridgeport, died unexpectedly Monday.

Johnson was the long-running co-host of WKMZ’s Friday morning high school football (and later all high school sports) program, The Friday Free for All.

He joined the show with then host Mike King, later remaining as a co-host with Andrew Caridi and then Alex Wiederspiel after King’s passing in 2021.

Among many things, Chris was a devoted father and husband, dog lover, a Star Wars enthusiast, wrestling fan and an avid rocker who loved spending time with his family and friends.

His passing leaves a large void as one of the foremost advocates of high school athletics in West Virginia.





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