The Bottom Line
By Bill Nestor
Sports Editor
Last year brought several state championships to Bridgeport High School. If you were counting you would need to use both hands. This year has seen the Tribe pick up where they left off earning one title already, playing for another Friday, and putting themselves in position for yet one more in just a few short weeks.
The Indians, coached by Jon Griffith, captured their second straight state cross-country championship this past Saturday at Cabell Midland High School. Bridgeport used a total “team” effort in the victory. Arryn Tennant placed 10th, while Jimmy Lacaria 12th, Ian Frailey 13th, Michael Duez 15th, and Timmy Kinney 18th rounded out the scoring runners for the Tribe. Troy Pallay 24th and Jack Funk 27th comprised the rest of the team that nearly doubled up second place Webster County in points for the decisive win.
The Indians are looking for another title this Friday when they tangle with Fairmont Senior in Beckley. The girls’ soccer squad advanced for the fourth consecutive year to the state tournament with a convincing 6-1 win over Grafton this past Tuesday at Wayne Jamison Field.
Bridgeport picked up a pair of goals from a pair of players to stake the win. Amanda Saymon and Natalie Prater both scored twice against the Bearcats. Mikayla Oliverio was busy sharing the wealth for the Indians as she chipped in with three assists in the outing. The Tribe improved to 20-1-1 on the season.
Another Bridgeport program that is looking for a repeat championship is located on the gridiron. The football team earned yet another definitive win this past Friday over Fairmont Senior. After spotting the Polar Bears a 7-0 lead, the Indians reeled off the last 42 points of the match-up to claim the win. The Tribe picked up 431 yards on the ground while allowing -5 yards to their opponents. Dylan Tonkery led the victory with 141 yards on 17 rushes. Tonkery also recorded a pair of rushing touchdowns. Dante Bonamico picked up 119 yards on 13 attempts and scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The Indians are currently in a battle for the #1 seed in the Class AA playoff race.
The Notre Dame football team earned their seventh straight win this past Friday over previously unbeaten Clay Battelle. The 36-18 win over the Class A #2 team should vault the Fighting Irish (former #6 in Class A) to a top 5 ranking. Notre Dame continued to ride its workhorse Santino Cava. Cava picked up 257 yards on 23 carries. Cava also contributed four touchdowns on runs of 35, 66, 2, and 28 yards respectively. Quarterback Jordan Miller also threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Zach Seibel in the win. The Fighting Irish improved to 7-2 on the season.
On the next level, WVU fell just short in their upset bid of TCU last Saturday. The Mountaineers had a nine-point lead early in the final quarter but could not hold the lead, suffering a heartbreaking 31-30 loss. The Horned Frogs picked up the win on a last second field goal that made pickers Brad Paisley and Lee Corso winners. It was one that the Mounties let slip through their fingertips and it cost them a handle on the top spot in the conference. It was déjà vu all over again as TCU signal caller Trevone Boykin, just as he had two years ago in Morgantown, hit on a huge pass play late in the game, which propelled the comeback effort.
Despite the loss, the level of play in Morgantown continues to impress. WVU takes to the road this week in hopes of getting back on the winning track against Texas.
That will do it for now. Until next week…take care and God Bless!
