Three of the four Harrison County football teams have not only positioned themselves for the postseason, they have given themselves a golden opportunity to host playoff contests. Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd picked up big wins this past week to push their respective records to 6-2. The Indians claimed theirs in a big win while the Flying Eagles had to come from behind.
Bridgeport utilized big plays, scoring four touchdowns of 44 yards or more to build a 56-14 halftime lead. The Tribe would score on the ground as expected, but they would also find pay dirt on a pair of touchdown passes from Graham Vincent and add a defensive score on a Gavin Williams 72-yard interception return en route to the 63-14 triumph.
Gabe Martin rushed for 190 yards on nine carries with three touchdowns. Williams caught two touchdown passes and rushed for another score. Vincent was 2 for 2 for 95 yards. Kicker Jaylen Brown was a perfect 9 of 9 in point-after attempts.
The win puts Bridgeport on a two-game streak with a pair of road games remaining. The Tribe heads to Grafton this Friday and closes out the regular season next Friday at Fairmont Senior. If they can win their remaining two, they will host in the playoffs and they will have a week off to prepare for the second season.
The Flying Eagles had to shake off the ill effects of the loss to Lincoln the week prior as they spotted visiting Grafton a 21-7 advantage. A touchdown pass from Isiah Heflin to Sean Adams with 2.1 seconds remaining in the first half gave RCB momentum heading into the break.
RCB took the second half kickoff and marched down the field, scoring on an Isiah Calvert touchdown. On the extra point attempt, holder Junior Smith appeared to take the snap and take off on his own, getting in to give the hosts a 22-21 lead. Calvert would add another score and the defense would provide a safety down the stretch for the 31-21 victory.
Heflin was 10 of 14 for 92 yards with one TD passing and one rushing. Calvert had 90 yards on the ground with a pair of scores. RCB has a pair of road trips remaining, including a key contest at North Marion this week. A week off follows before a trip to Buckhannon-Upshur concludes the regular season. A pair of wins would provide home field advantage in the opener of the playoffs for the Eagles.
Lincoln had the week off after the big win over RCB last week.
The Cougars have been steadily climbing the Class AA rankings and with three games remaining find themselves in a great position. This week they travel to Buckhannon-Upshur, a Class AAA team. There are big time bonus points on the table in the lock-up with the Bucs. The remaining tilts are with Class AA powerhouses in Doddridge County and Phillip Barbour.
Both teams are solid, but there isn’t a team around as hot as the Cougars currently. Plus, Shinnston provides a homefield advantage that is unmatched, which puts this Lincoln team in prime position for the postseason.
This week’s Athlete Spotlight focused on Bridgeport’s Alex Randolph and Grayson Church. Randolph helped the golf team to a remarkable comeback. The Tribe trailed by nine strokes after the first day of the Class AAA state golf tournament. Randolph (the low medalist) pushed his team to a nine stroke win!
Also congratulations to Lincoln’s Nick Tate. Tate finished his high school career 27th in Class AA at the State Tournament. Church scored four goals and added an assist in the regular season finale. The 9-1 victory over University capped off an undefeated season for the Indians (18-0-2). Church also helped Bridgeport to a Big 10 title this year. That will do it for now! Until next time . . . take care and God Bless!!!
