When Connect-Bridgeport began the “Playoff Payoff” football pick’em competition four years ago, many initially believed it was only for city residents. Because of that, an extra effort was made to let people know that anyone – from anywhere – could participate as long as they registered for the contest and used their real name.

 

Apparently, the word has gotten out. Of this year’s three winners, two of them were from out of state and one was from Bridgeport. And only two of them have direct ties to Bridgeport.

 

This year’s grand prize winner was Jamie Guy. Guy, a former city resident, is currently residing in Florida. Guy is also a graduate of Liberty High School where he played football and wrestled under current BHS freshman and varsity assistant football coach Tom Hilton.

 

“I grew up in Harrison County and moved to Bridgeport about 10 years ago.  My daughter, Sydny, went through the school system at Bridgeport and was on the middle school and high school dance line (teams) until her sophomore year (this year),” said Guy. “We received an opportunity to transfer with work to Florida and could not pass it up.”

 

Now, Guy and his family lives in Ponte Vedra Beach in the Sunshine State, which is located between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. He said the good news for his daughter, who took dance from the Annabelle Timms School of Dance since she was seven, is that she will soon be trying out for the Ponte Vedra High School dance team in the spring.

 

“We’ll be representing Bridgeport Dance down here in Florida,” said Guy. “I will also be defending my title from sunny Florida next year in the Playoff Payoff.”

 

While Guy’s following isn’t all that unusual, the runner-up winner this year got involved in a little more unique way. Jason Hartman has zero ties to Bridgeport – but he has plenty of ties when it comes to West Virginia prep football and that led him to the contest.

 

Hartman is actually a teacher at the Mineral County Technical Center in Keyser. He’s also a KHS graduate.

 

“I checked out your Web site to read about the Bridgeport football team who has become a big rival for Keyser,” said Hartman on how he got involved.

 

It shouldn’t be a surprise as Hartman is into sports. Along with his teaching duties, he’s also the   assistant boys' basketball coach at Union High School in Mt. Storm.  That team battles West Virginia schools such as South Harrison annually, while also playing against Notre Dame and Liberty.

 

The third place winner was a more familiar name. Patsy Sabatelli, a Bridgeport High School graduate and former standout Indian athlete, was the only one close enough to come by and pick up his prize and have his photo taken.

 

“I look forward to the contest every year,” said Sabatelli when picking up his certificates.

 

Like many others, Sabatelli is a regular in the football pick’em contest, which has been graciously sponsored by Carder Motors of Bridgeport for the past two years. Sabatelli was the winner of the $50 gift cards from Mia Margherita and Meagher’s, along with a Dairy Queen Cake certificate.

 

As the overall winner, Guy had his choice of prizes. He chose the $500 Meadowbrook Mall gift certificate. Hartman received an overnight golf package at the Lakeview Resort in Monongalia County that includes two rounds of golf with a cart, dinner and breakfast.

 

Editor's Note: Patsy Sabetlli, middle, is shown with Greater Bridgeport Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Michelle Duez and Connect-Bridgeport's Jeff Toquinto.