Large BHS Football Presence to Gather as WVU's Rich Rodriguez Addresses 42nd Loria Awards Banquet
By Jeff Toquinto on March 21, 2025
The annual Frank Loria Awars Banquet, hosted by the Clarksburg Columbian Club, is scheduled for Monday, March 24 at the Bridgeport Conference Center. This year marks the 42nd year for the banquet honoring members of the all-Harrison County football team.
Highlighting the event will be the presentation of the Loria Award for the “Most Outstanding Football Player” and the “Loria Lineman of the Year.” Also, the county’s top coach will be chosen and there will be a presentation of the Frank Loria Academic Achievement Award going to a senior on the football squad.
This year’s guest speaker is a past speaker making his return. Ironically, it is the man who made his return this year as coach at West Virginia
University – Rich Rodriguez. It’s been nearly 20 years, 2007 to be exact since the Mountain State native who coached at Salem College and Glenville State was the guest speaker.
University – Rich Rodriguez. It’s been nearly 20 years, 2007 to be exact since the Mountain State native who coached at Salem College and Glenville State was the guest speaker.
“It looks like a great even this year with Rich Rodriguez coming back. We’re excited to have him back coaching at WVU and we’re so excited to have him back at the Frank Loria banquet,” said Loria Awards Chairman Mike Romano. “It’s been since 2007 since he’s been there and we’re all a lot older and a lot smarter so we’re expecting him to impart some wisdom and great words of advice on our student-athletes that are being honored.”
The Frank Loria Awards Banquet upholds the high athletic and academic standards of Harrison County native Frank Loria, Virginia Tech University’s All-American in 1966, first Consensus All American in 1967 as well as achievements of an Academic All-American.
“Frankie Paul,” as he was known to his family and friends, went on to coach at Marshall University and was killed at age 23 in the tragic 
1970 Marshall University plane crash with nearly the entire football team which was the subject of the Hollywood releases including the movie “We Are Marshall.”
1970 Marshall University plane crash with nearly the entire football team which was the subject of the Hollywood releases including the movie “We Are Marshall.”
As for those getting honored, it will be Bridgeport leading the way. The Indians dominated the all-Harrison County Football Team chosen by the county coaches and the sports writing staff of the Exponent Telegram. The Indians had 11 players on the 28-member squad.
Those chosen from BHS include Jon Bender, Wes Brown, Timmy Jeffress, Josh Love, Cam Martin, Alex Moses, Jack Spatafore, Noah West, Donavan Williams, Gavin Williams, and Carter Zuiliani.
Liberty representatives include Isaiah Heflin, Braydon Hendricks, Quentin Hilliard, and Devin Swisher.
Lincoln representatives include AJ Bart, Aidan Rice, and Connor Rice.
Robert C. Byrd representatives include Kobe Duarte, Logan Frum, Latrell Jones, Armondo Montero, Junior Smith, and Stratten Wooddell.
South Harrison representatives include Luke Given, Zane Harlow, Jaden Hatfield, and Brady Rush.
Last year, Zach Rohrig became just the third player in the event’s history to win the Loria Award in back-to-back years. BHS swept all the awards with Beau Ford being named the Loria Lineman of the Year. Cale Culicerto named the Loria Academic Achievement Award winner, and the Loria Coach of the Year Award went to Tyler Phares for the second straight year. Also, Bridgeport's Aidan Sparks was the recipient of the Frank Loria Memorial Scholarship.
Among the invited guests include Invited guests include Tony Gibson of Marshall, Luke Barker of Fairmont State, Mike Keller of Glenville State, Dwayne Martin of West Virginia Wesleyan, and Ernie McCook of Shepherd. Several area athletic directors, including former WVU AD Ed Pastilong and current AD Wren Baker, have been invited.
The event is also open to the public, although seating is limited. For $25, individuals can watch the event and also be served a meal by the Bridgeport Conference Center staff. To get tickets, contact Romano’s office at 304-624-1100 to make a reservation.
Editor's Note: Top photo, courtesy of WVU Sports Communications, shows Coach Rich Rodriguez during this year's spring drills, while last year's Bridgeport participants are shown in the second photo. Bottom image is of Clarksburg native Frank Loria during his playing days at Virginia Tech.
