Thursday morning, Bridgeport and Clarksburg city managers met on the borders of their cities, suited up in support of their favorite high school football teams.

 

The idea behind the meeting was to create a sense of friendly competition in anticipation of Saturday’s WVSSAC Class AA quarterfinal showdown between the Bridgeport Indians and the Robert C. Byrd Eagles.

 

“(As city managers,) we work together really well on so many things,” said Bridgeport City Manager Kim Haws. “This is just in good humor and fun - and I think it creates a sense of competition and tradition.”

 

The Indians and Eagles have a longtime crosstown rivalry and both teams continually garner major fan support.  

 

Clarksburg City Manager Martin Howe said he was throwing around ideas of promoting the game and the camaraderie between the neighboring cities and thought today’s photo op would be fun.

 

“We feel there are no corporate boundary lines when it comes to economic development overall, but we thought it would be neat to draw this boundary line for high school football,” he said.

 

Haws and Howe will be rooting for their respective hometown teams. Though not a Bridgeport native, Haws has made the city his family’s home for many years. He, however, is a past high school football player, holding the position of running back at his high school in Arizona. Howe didn’t spend any time on the football field, but he is a graduate of RCB’s predecessor, Washington Irving High School.

 

The winner of Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. game – to be played at Wayne Jamison Field in Bridgeport – will advance to next week’s semifinals. Though neither of the city officials would offer score predictions, they agreed on one aspect: Regardless of who wins Saturday’s game, the general area should be proud.

 

Read more about Saturday’s game in this story by Jeff Toquinto. Learn how to purchase advance tickets and playoff T-shirts HERE. 

 

Editor's Note: Clarksburg City Manager Martin Howe and Bridgeport City Manager Kim Haws are pictured just above the Route 50/Emily Drive intersection, which marks the boundaries between the cities.