The Bottom Line
By Bill Nestor
Sports Editor
With most teams of local interest banging on each other, only three have remained unbeaten. I will give you hint…two of them made runs in last year’s high school playoffs and the other is on a completely different level.
Bridgeport handled a good team in Elkins 33-14. Big plays propelled the Tribe as they scored on three plays of 78 yards or longer. Brice Haines started things off with a 78 yard touchdown run. John Merica had a 90 yard kickoff return in the third quarter that put the Indians up by 19 points. The last big play was recorded by J.T. Harris on an 80 yard run. Harris led all rushers on Friday evening with 177 on 15 attempts. Signal caller, Gordon Swiger threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Seth Friel and gained 55 yards on 12 carries. Bridgeport’s defense turned in another solid effort, allowing 151 total yards (43 of those came on a late Tiger touchdown) and one score (the other was an 88 yard fumble return). The Indians are back in action at Wayne Jamison Field this Friday as they host cross town opponent, Robert C. Byrd.
South Harrison defeated Grafton 40-14. The Hawks rushed for an impressive 543 yards last Friday in Bearcat territory. Freddy Canary (266 rushing yards) and Cam Barnette (264 yards) were the catalysts offensively. Canary also rushed for four scored while Barnette recorded a pair.
I had a lengthy conversation last Sunday with Hawk Head Coach, Brad Jett. The veteran mentor always tells it like it is and that is one of many reasons why his teams are so successful. His players always know where they stand and what is expected of them. Another reason for his high total of wins recently, is that he doesn’t expect too much from any one player…case in point is freshman quarterback, Nate Wright. Jett has brought him along at the right speed for a new signal caller. “He is a fourteen year old freshman and I’m not going to put him in a place to fail,” explained Jett. Wright has flourished this season under Jett’s tutelage throwing a touchdown pass in each of the first two games and having one called back in Grafton due to a penalty.
Another quality that Jett possesses is selflessness. He never takes the credit; he always gives it to his players and his coaches. For example, the Hawk defense is playing at a high level once again this season and when asked about its play, Jeff pointed directly to Mark Clayton, his defensive coordinator. The scary part is that according to insiders, it isn’t even near its potential and the hope in Hawk Land is that this squad will peak come post season play.
Lincoln is the only other team in the county with a winning record, after their impressive 55-13 win over Liberty. Quarterback, Kobie Carpenter was near perfect going 7 for 9 for 213 yards and three scores. Two of them went to Chase Riley who collected five receptions for 111 yards. Riley also picked off three passes in the win. Hunter Moore had a game high 123 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. The Cougars picked up their second consecutive win and travel to East Fairmont this Friday.
West Virginia University moved to 2-0 with a 38-21 win over Youngstown State at Milan Puskar Stadium this past Saturday. Signal caller, Skylar Howard turned
in an impressive effort 920 for 33 and 389 yards). Howard also tossed five touchdown passes in the affair and gained 50 yards on the ground.
The Mountaineers will face BYU this weekend and it will be the first time that they have played outside of Motown this season. The tests will now begin.
That will do it for now. Until next week…take care and God Bless!
