The Bridgeport Indians were the preseason pick to win the Class AAA football championship. The Tribe looked like a team of destiny throughout the regular season after steamrolling every opponent they had faced throughout the regular season. A 25-game win streak proved their most recent dominance and they only needed three more wins to nab a second consecutive AAA title.
This past Saturday, Bridgeport had homefield advantage playing at Wayne Jamison Field. Their opponent, Chapmanville, was undefeated, but had played mostly a Class AA schedule, and the Tigers were weary from a lengthy road trip to Tribe territory. Everything headed into the home team’s favor heading into this quarterfinal contest.
However, once the game kicked off, the roles seemed to reverse and Chapmanville turned the tide. The Tigers managed to weather the early onslaught that the Indians always throw at their opponents. The Tribe took a 14 to six lead after one period of play, but Chapmanville managed to play even in the second quarter to trail just 21 to 13.
The Tigers were the only team to be within a score of Bridgeport at the halftime break all season thanks to a blocked field goal attempt prior to the break. It provided momentum that carried on into the third period.
After scoring less than four minutes into the second half, the Tigers would recover the ensuing kickoff and add another touchdown, blanking Bridgeport 14 to nothing in the quarter, giving the underdogs a 27 to 21 lead heading into the final frame.
Chapmanville quarterback Dakota Dalton was the difference-maker in the lock-up. The sophomore threw for over 240 yards and a pair of scores while running for two touchdowns. The last scoring run came early in the fourth stanza to put his team up 33 to 21. Despite being in an unfamiliar situation, the Indians battled back when Gavin Williams scored his third rushing touchdown of the night with six minutes left in regulation.
The Indians would get the ball back with just shy of four minutes on the clock, but their comeback attempt would end at the Chapmanville 21-yard line, giving the visitor the 33 to 27 win.
Williams, playing through injury, finished with 225 yards on 26 attempts to lead Bridgeport’s attack. Kasen Baun had 129 yards on 15 attempts, including a 27-yard scoring run for the Indians.
Robert C. Byrd had a lengthy road trip last Saturday night to Spring Valley. Each team had a different advantage heading into battle. The Timberwolves were big, strong, and physical, similar to the Flying Eagles. RCB, however, had an advantage on the outside with a stable of skill players that typically do their damage in the open field.
The biggest advantage for Spring Valley was home field, and, more specifically, the playing surface. The grass field in Timberwolves territory was iffy to start with and by the end of the first quarter, it looked like “stars on ice.” The RCB players had trouble maintaining footing and Spring Valley used their 209 pound tailback to perfection.
The game started out well for the Flying Eagles as they forced a three and out. On their first possession, RCB would travel 65 yards on 17 plays to the Spring Valley four-yard line on a drive that would take 9:14 off the clock. A huge fourth down play started a scoreless second quarter with momentum riding on the outcome The Timberwolves held, then went 98 yards to score and would never relinquish that momentum.
The Flying Eagles would battle, but couldn’t get over the hump and would lose 28 to nothing. Isaiah Heflin would account for 99 all purpose yards in the loss. RCB ended their season with a six and six record.
That will do it for now! Until next time . . . take care and God Bless!!!!