It’s been one of the most competitive football games not only on Bridgeport’s schedule, but it’s also been one of the most competitive contests across all of West Virginia regardless of class. And for those who watched the Indians win this year’s battle against Wheeling Park by a 35-28 score at Wayne Jamison Field, they may have seen the last.

 

According to Bridgeport High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt DeMotto, the Indians and Patriots will not play in 2018 and the series that lasted a decade has come to an end. WPHS opted not to continue the series.

 

“Park is coming off the schedule starting next year. I think they’re staff and their coaches got together and just decided they wanted to go in a different direction. They’ll probably pick up a (Class) AAA (opponent) because they’re ‘AAA’ and a big school,” said DeMotto. “We’re disappointed because we thought it was a really good series and a mutually beneficial series, but we certainly respect Park’s right to manage their own situation.”

 

DeMotto is correct about it being a good series. The series has lasted for 10 years and only the first game (won by Wheeling Park by a 48-7 count) and the last two wins by Bridgeport (24-13 in 2016 and the one touchdown win this year) weren’t decided in the last minutes. The other seven games in the series were decided by an incredible point difference of 0.3 points per game.

 

The Indians lead the series 5-4-1. The tie was the rain-shortened game in 2015.

 

“This happens from time to time. I’d be lying if I didn’t say from time to time that we look at a situation schedule wise and we go in a different direction as well,” said DeMotto. “If they can pick up a ‘AAA’ and it’s a good ‘AAA’ then that potentially means more points for them and we understand that.”

 

BHS Coach John Cole, who has been on the sideline for all 10 of those games, said he hates to see it go too.

 

“That was a good game for us. It was good early season measuring stick. It seemed like our kids got excited for that. You wanted to see that improvement from week one to week two because even if you play great in week one, you want to know the test you face in week two is a test where you’ve improved,” said Cole. “Wheeling Park provided a big test for us. When we played there, you got to see if you could handle the road trip and a pretty imposing stadium and play well and improve.

 

“I really didn’t want to see them go,” Cole continued. “I understand and respect their decision.”

 

While filling gaps in a schedule is often difficult, DeMotto said Bridgeport was fortunate to find a home opponent for 2018 and find it in the same slot WPHS has filled for the last 10 years. Harrison County and Big 10 foe Liberty will play at Jamison Field in 2018, which will actually give the Indians six home contests next year.

 

“Liberty was looking for a week two opponent,” said DeMotto. “ … I consider us very fortunate that it lined up as easily and as quickly as it did. We’re lucky in that regard for sure.”

 

In 2019, expect several changes to the Bridgeport schedule including one major change. The Indians will add another Class AAA power to the schedule and this one is steeped in history. DeMotto confirmed the Tribe will have a home and home series with Morgantown.

 

“We hope that’s the ultimate replacement for Wheeling Park where we have a big school that’s a perennial power that will be a tremendous challenge,” said DeMotto.

 

In 2019, Morgantown will come to Bridgeport. In 2020, the Tribe will visit Monongalia County.

 

Other changes in 2019, East Fairmont and Lincoln will no longer be on the Bridgeport schedule. In their place will be Philip Barbour and Liberty returning. It is part of the Big 10 rotation of games involving the smaller Class AA schools required to play each of the schools classified as larger ‘AA’ foes in a rotation.

 

In the future, check back to Connect-Bridgeport for a complete 2018 football schedule with dates and times.