The Bottom Line
By Bill Nestor
Sports Editor
There were two football teams remaining in Harrison County prior to this past weekend in high school football. Unfortunately there would only be one left standing as Bridgeport and Lincoln squared off at Wayne Jamison Field. Bridgeport, the three time defending state champions and the team to beat in Class AA, hosted Lincoln. The Cougars started the season strong and picked up even more momentum as the season went on.
It was a tale of two halves with the first and second quarters going as predicted. The Tribe held a 13-6 lead at the break in the highly contested lock-up.
Bridgeport started the scoring on a 4 yard run by Mackenzie Holmes. It completed the 57 yard drive that showcased their stellar running game.
Lincoln would retaliate, garnering big plays from their passing attack led by signal caller, Kobie Carpenter. A pair of lengthy connections (45 and then 30 yards) to Anthony Kellar and Dustin Marks, put the visitors on the doorstep. The Cougars went for it on fourth and 1 but Hunter Moore would be stopped short of the goal line. It would be the first of two key fourth down stops on the night for Bridgeport.
The Cougar defense would bend but not break on the ensuing Indian possession, forcing a turnover in the Lincoln red zone. Carpenter went back to work with a pair of big gainers (a 41 yarder to Chase Riley and a 48 yarder to Johnathan Leep) to set up a one yard scoring run for Anthony Kellar.
The Tribe would score deep in the second stanza on a 22 yard run by J.T. Harris. Koby Kiefer connected on the point after to provide the seven point halftime advantage.
Crucial turnovers plagued Lincoln in the second half and they started right off the bat as they fumbled the kickoff. Harris scored a second touchdown for the Tribe from 13 yards to extend their lead.
Kiefer added a field goal and Bridgeport’s defense added a pair of scores (Zach Osborn recovered a fumble in the end zone and Holmes returned a fumble 24 yards for a TD) to add more separation in the contest.
Lincoln refused to quit and Carpenter connected with Riley on a 24 yard scoring strike.
Bridgeport would claim the game’s final touchdown as David Snodgrass scored on a 37 yard run.
Lincoln had a remarkable season that provided milestones. They picked up the first playoff win in school history and finished with an impressive 9-3 record. In the process, several players set individual records and are sure to receive state wide recognition.
Bridgeport moves on and will host Fairmont Senior in a rematch from the regular season. The Indians will once again have home field advantage in the playoff lock up with the Polar Bears.
The West Virginia football team suffered a 56-28 loss to Oklahoma this past Saturday. The prime time event was less than spectacular as the Sooners claimed a 21-0 first quarter lead and held on for the win.
A dramatic comeback effort saw the Mountaineers cut their deficit 13 points after scoring three consecutive touchdowns during a span late in the third and early in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma would put an end to the tilt, scoring the last two touchdowns of the game to put the victory on ice. The Mounties return to action this Saturday at Iowa State.
That will do it for now. Until next time…take care and God Bless!
