By Stephen Smoot
Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd have had a crosstown rivalry going since the late 1990s. These two schools have seen their fair share of success over the years and when they lock up on the gridiron there are fireworks galore.
In recent years, the Indians have won the majority of the clashes (as they have against almost every other program) that they have faced on a routine basis. It didn’t really have as much of a sting, however, as the two schools were not competing in the same class.
This year, that has changed with the most recent reclassification, as they will both now compete in Class AAA level for football.
Heading into Friday’s tilt, the Tribe was dubbed the team to beat in Class AAA by the WVSSAC and the Metro News Power Index, both of which had the Indians as the top team in all of the land. Their record and statistics backed that fact up to the point of no discussion.
Bridgeport had defeated Buckhannon-Upshur, Morgantown, East Fairmont, and Linsley by a combined 230 to eight. The lone touchdown allowed came in the fourth quarter of this game at Linsley. The Tribe had only punted the ball once this year and had only faced nine third downs, converting on seven of them. They had allowed less than 100 yards of offense per game with most of those coming against their second and third team players.
The ground game has always been Bridgeport’s bread and butter and this year is no exception. Heading into last Friday’s battle with Byrdm the Tribe was averaging 372.5 rushing yards an outing. Josh Love had 454 of them with eight scores. Tim Jeffries (230 yards and three touchdowns) and Alex Moses (200 yards and six scores) were also major contributors as well.
Signal caller Jack Spatafore is no slouch in the rushing department, but he is also a capable thrower for the Indians. Spatafore had 170 yards on the ground with six touchdowns while completing 10 of 13 passes for 309 yards and three scores.
The Flying Eagles went into the tilt without their starting quarterback, Junior Smith, and big lineman Trevor Dean. Smith was the team’s leading rusher with 464 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Bridgeport won the coin toss, took the ball, and scored on the first play from scrimmage. Jack Spatafore connected with Donovan Williams on a 58 yard reception. Sam Goodwin ran in the two-point conversion to make it eight to nothing. After forcing a three and out, the Indians blocked a punt, leaving a short field opportunity. Love raced 15 yards on the first play from scrimmage on the second drive and Goodwin once again ran in the two-point conversion.
Love scored his second touchdown on the next drive on a 37-yard run followed by an extra point from kicker Gavin Williams. The final score of the first quarter came with 1:26 remaining when Spatafore connected with Williams again, this time from 31-yards out to make it 30 to nothing.
Bridgeport would go on to a 56 to nothing win, continuing its dominance this season. The Indians played near flawless football in all three major aspects of the game. They are on a collision course with defending state champion Fairmont Senior in a major matchup that will be played at East-West Stadium in Fairmont.
The Flying Eagles face Point Pleasant at One Eagle Way in a must win battle as they moved to two and three with the setback to Bridgeport.
That will do for now. Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!