With the game hanging in the balance, Bridgeport High School quarterback John Merica managed to change the fortunes of the Indians offense and subsequently the game this evening against Wheeling Park. Merica’s fourth quarter touchdown run proved to be the difference in a 35-28 win by the Tribe at Wayne Jamison Field.

 

Merica had plenty of company in the heroics department as BHS moved to 2-0 on the year. The Class AAA Patriots fell to 1-1 and suffered their second straight setback to the Indians.

 

Getting the win, however, seemed anything but a sure thing until the game’s final moments. And BHS was put in position to win thanks to a critical fourth down series that not only resuscitated the Tribe’s offense, but managed to break a streak of not getting a first down in the second half until 6:41 was left in the game.

 

“Wheeling Park didn’t quit and we just couldn’t get anything going,” said Bridgeport Coach John Cole. “When we needed it, we had guys step up.”

 

Leading 28-21 after Donnie Evans’ 32-yard touchdown run for Park with 3:51 in the third, Bridgeport was still struggling offensively heading into the fourth. In fact, the Tribe was was facing a third-and-seven with under eight minutes to play when Merica made his first big play with a hard count that drew WPHS offsides. With a manageable third-and-two, Jake Bowen plowed ahead for a four-yard gain and a first down the lit a fire under the Tribe.

 

Carrying the flame after that would be senior Chapin Murphy. Murphy carried the ball four straight times that led to two more first downs and put the Indians near midfield.

 

It was here when Merica turned the game around by reading the Park defense perfectly. With the quarterback option in play, Merica pulled the ball away from Murphy’s stomach. While the Park defense swarmed to Murphy, Merica took off for what would be a 49-yard touchdown run with 3:53 left and a subsequent 35-21 lead after Koby Kiefer hit the last of seven straight point-after kicks in the game.

 

“That series was a testament to our kids because we had to have first downs there and we got them,” said Cole. “ … We lulled them to sleep a little bit with some power to the weak side. We were actually a little bit apprehensive to run John there because he was a little nicked up in this game, but when his number was called the athlete emerged time and time again. It certainly emerged on that play.”

 

Merica would finish the game with three rushing touchdowns and 130 yards rushing. Bowen joined him in triple figures with 136 yards on 25 carries and two scores as Bridgeport got 315 yards of offense; most of which came in the first half and all of it on the ground.

 

The final score was not only huge for the slumping offense, but needed to secure the win. On this evening, Wheeling Park wouldn’t go gently into the cool September night.

 

Despite the clock being an adversary and down two scores, WPHS went to work. Starting at their own 20, the Patriots used just over two minutes to go 80 yards on 10 plays and make it 35-28. Rennie Clark capped the scoring surge with a three-yard run to make it a seven-point game following the final of four Chase Gheen point-after kicks with 1:46 to play.

 

The final hopes of Wheeling Park, however, crumbled on a failed onside kick and a game-ending first down run by Bowen. Cole was glad the Patriots didn’t get the ball back.

 

“Our guys were cramping and getting a little tired,” said Cole. “I’m glad it came to an end when it did.”

 

Bridgeport ended up being outgained in the victory. Wheeling Park finished with 327 yards of offense with Cross Wilkinson leading the way by completing 20-of-32 passes for 201 yards.  However, the heavily talented Wilkinson had just two passes that were for more than 20 yards and none for more than 30.

 

Wilkinson tested defensive back Josh Osborn on several occasions and Osborn was up to the task. The senior, starting this year for the first time, had three pass breakups on long aerial routes and was strong tackling as well.

 

“Our defensive backs exceeded expectations,” said Cole. “Josh is an athlete and he’s been in the program for four years … This is a kid that had no experience doing that. This was his baptism so to speak and I hope he can keep it up the rest of the year.”

 

In the first half, the Indians delivered a sermon on offense and defense. However, it took  a while before things got going in the scoring department.

 

Despite moving the ball well against the Patriots on its first two drives, Bridgeport had nothing to show for it. A fumble near midfield and getting stuffed on fourth down at the Park 20 may have left the Tribe faithful frustrated.

 

Finally, the Indians would get on the board. And they had the defense to thank for it.

 

After Park stuffed the Indians on fourth down, the visitors didn’t make the hosts pay. In fact, on a second down play, Brice Haines would make the Patriots pay.

 

With Wilkinson taking a quick drop, his pass to the flat was tipped by Haines. Despite moving at full speed, Haines was able to gather the ball in and return it to the WPHS 8-yard line.

 

“It was a big play and he’s a veteran,” said Cole of the pick. “ … That’s what a senior is supposed to do against a quarterback like that. He got back to where he needed to be and it changed the momentum.”

 

It didn’t take long to cash in. Bridgeport’s interior line, which had a huge first half, opened up a gaping hole for Jake Bowen and Bowen exploded for the eight yards needed for the touchdown. After Kiefer’s kick, Bridgeport was up 7-0 with 3:46 on the first period clock.

 

Bridgeport was still keeping a cap on the explosive Park offense when it served up a freebie to the Patriots. Late in the first period, the Indians were looking to start another surge up the field when the second fumble of the first half proved costly.

 

Clark scooped up a loose ball that was stripped and bounced backwards and raced 25 yards for an easy six points and what would turn into a 7-7 game following Gheen’s kick with 20 seconds to go in the first period.

 

Bridgeport wasn’t deterred by the score and responded on its second drive of the second period. Starting on their own 27, the Tribe got things started with a Bowen 20-yard run to soften up the defense. After a couple of plays – including a big 15-yard run by Murphy – and a personal foul by the Patriots, BHS had a first down at its foe’s 15-yard line.

 

The Tribe wouldn’t be there long. Merica kept the ball and went up the middle and cut to his right before breaking back hard to his left. As he approached the end zone he bowled over the only remaining defender in site to set the stage for the 14-7 advantage with 6:33 to play before halftime.

 

Bridgeport wasn’t done. After forcing a quick three-and-out deep in Wheeling territory, the hosts would take advantage of starting near midfield. Once again it was Bowen doing the damage. And once again, he was more than happy to take advantage of a gaping hole.

 

Bowen took the handoff from his own 48 and found nothing but green field in front of him. He also found an extra gear that allowed he go to 52 yards untouched to help put the hosts up 21-7 with 4:45 to go before halftime.

 

“Jake’s got real good vision,” said Cole. “It’s good to see him doing well because as soon as basketball season was over he hit the weight room. He knew we were going to count on him.”

 

While that may have seemed to be all that was left when the Patriots got the ball back on their own 20 following a Kiefer touchback, there were plenty of fireworks left – on both side.

 

WPHS got its first serious offensive drive of the game going as they mixed in several runs with plenty of precision passing from Wilkinson. The result was a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended when Wilkinson hit Jack Stakem for an 18-yard TD pass with 1:10 to play.

 

For the conservative Indians who would start their next drive with not much time left, it seemed the 21-14 score may stand at the half. Merica had other ideas.

 

The senior quarterback kept the ball on a second down play from his own 35 and was off to the races. Once Merica got into the open field he raced to the left and any hopes of a Wheeling Park defender getting to him ended when Osborn took out two defenders that cleared the way for a 65-yard TD run with 17.9 seconds.

 

Bridgeport finished the first half with 248 yards of offense; all on the ground. Bowen led the way with 14 carries for 118 yards, while Merica had 95 yards on six runs.

 

Wheeling Park had 138 yards on 30 plays; 80 of those yards came on the Patriots’ lone scoring drive.  Wilkinson was 11-of-16 for 115 yards.

 

“We played well in the first half because of how well our offensive line played, and our defensive line too,” said Cole. “You saw what how talented their backs were and the size of both of their lines and we held our own, which is impressive because a lot of those kids are playing both ways. If we don’t score all those points in the first half, who knows what happens.

 

“Still I’m proud of these kids,” Cole continued. “There’s a lot of credit to go around tonight and that includes a lot of the players and the coaching staff.”

 

The Tribe defense made Park one dimensional in the first half. The Patriots had just 23 yards rushing on 14 carries.

 

Bridgeport plays next week at East Fairmont. The Indians will play on Thursday night against the Bees as part of a live televised game on WVFX.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows John Merica breaking free for one of his three touchdowns, while Jake Bowen is shown after that one one his two scoring runs. In the third photo, Chapin Murphy - who had a sack in the game - puts pressure on Wheeling's Cross Wilkinson. In the fourth photo, Josh Osborn breaks up one of three deep balls that came his way. Brice Haines is shown in the next photo tipping an interception to himself, while the offensive line gears up for a snap in the first half. In the next to last photo, Christian Olivio, 57, and Ethan Bradley zero in on a Wheeling Park back. Bottom photo shows the captains coming out for the coin toss as Sam DeMarco gives instructions. Photos by Ben Queen and Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.