By Bill Nestor, Sports Editor
There is just one game remaining in the regular season for all four Harrison County football teams and there is great significance in every one of those lock-ups. Not only does Bridgeport, Lincoln, Robert C. Byrd, and South Harrison have the inside track to the second season, there is also an opportunity to climb the ladder in terms of rankings.
This past Friday, Bridgeport did it again. The Tribe recorded a second consecutive undefeated season with a huge win over rival Fairmont Senior. The Polar bears were the first team all season to have a lead over the Indians after the first period of play, 21 to 20. The tribe received a shot in the arm from their fan base at Wayne Jamison field and proceeded to outscore Fairmont Senior 28 to nothing in the second quarter of play to take a 48 to 21 lead into the halftime break.
Bridgeport could add a pair of third quarter touchdowns to put the game away, cruising to a 62 to 28 victory. The Indians would need 511 yards on the ground with Gavin Williams collecting most of them. It was Halloween night in Tribe Territory and Williams collected yards like trick-or-treaters collected candy. He picked up 429 yards (the most in a single game in school history) on 20 attempts and scored six touchdowns.
The win over the previous class AAA number three rated Polar Bears should be enough for the top spot in AAA. It puts them in the driver’s seat and keeps them away from Princeton and Fairmont Senior until Charleston.
Lincoln held its own early at Doddridge County, but a strong second quarter by the Bulldogs was too much to overcome in a 53 to 20 road setback. Senior quarterback A. J. Bart became the all-time leader in Harrison County history in touchdowns. Bart was 21 of 35 for 192 yards and three scores in West Union. Jacob Bart caught seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Colton Edwards Hauled in seven passes for 53 yards and a score in the setback.
The Cougars finish theregular season on the road at Phillip Barbour. The Colts are currently on a five game winning streak and provide a golden opportunity for the Cougars. There are a ton of bonus points available. A win could propel Lincoln up to the middle of the pack in Class AA with a possible home game in the opening round. The good news for Cougar Nation is that even with a loss to the Colts, they should still make the playoff scene.
Robert C. Byrd took this past week off and it could not have come at a better time. The Flying Eagles have a handful of key players battling injury and they will need all hands on deck for this week’s battle with Buckhannon-Upshur. The Bucs are riding the momentum of a 60 to 57 win over Preston. B-U scored the fourth most points of any team in the Mountain State last week and are averaging 41 points per game in their last three contests.
RCB looks to be in the Class AAA playoffs even with a loss, but a win could help them to climb into a better spot that would keep them away from Bridgeport, Princeton, and maybe even Fairmont Senior.
South Harrison is coming off a signature win two weeks ago at Tyler Consolidated and had this past week off. The Hawks finish on the road at Ravenswood. A win gets South Harrison into the Class AA playoffs. A loss isn’t the end of the world for South Harrison if the right combination plays out, they could still make the postseason.
That will do it for now. Until next week … take care and God Bless!