The biggest question as it relates to football in Bridgeport is whether the Indians can repeat as Class AA state champions. The second biggest question as it relates to football in Bridgeport and the surrounding area is whether anyone beat Hugh Gainer in the annual football pick’em contest.

 

Without any scientific polling, it’s easy to say that Gainer would have to be considered the favorite to win the championship for the third straight season. And once again, there are plenty of prizes – weekly and otherwise – that you can get a chance at winning.

 

For the second straight year, the top prize will be a $500 Meadowbrook Mall gift certificate. The runner-up prize will be a two-night stay at Stonewall Lake Resort. A third place prize will be announced at a later date.

 

The trend of weekly prizes will also continue. Weekly winners get $25 gift certificate from Mountaineer World one week and the Mountaineer Grille the next. In the event of a tie, members of the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation staff will randomly draw the winner from a hat.

 

So how can you get involved?

 

If you are registered to Connect-Bridgeport.com, simply click on Playoff Payoff icon to pick games when they go live each Tuesday - they are already live for week one. If you are not registered click the icon and register where it says “register here” or go to the top of the page at www.connect-bridgeport.com and click on the "Sign Up" icon on the top right hand side of the home page. Once registered, you are free to pick.

 

You do not have to live in Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Harrison County to participate. Anyone from any part of West Virginia or beyond the state’s borders is welcome to participate.

 

As for the rules, they are basically the same with a few changes. Participants can continue to make changes until deadlines are reached. For Friday high school games, the deadline to make changes is 6 p.m. – the same as last year. This year, individuals can change their game picks Saturday until 11 a.m. On Sunday, changes also can be made until 11 a.m.

 

Once again, each participant’s worst two weeks of picks will be removed once the contest is complete. In the event you have a bad week, forget to pick a week or two, or register two weeks late, you can still be in the running for the prizes.  Even if you register late, you will still be eligible for weekly prizes that will be announced. Each week, a story will detail the weekly winners as well as the overall leaders for the prizes.

 

Occasionally, we make mistakes and occasionally the schedules change and we don't catch them. Any errors regarding teams results in that came being eliminated from the competition for everyone.

 

Be sure and enter and have your friends enter as well to show their football knowledge. Bragging rights, and a chance to beat Mr. Gainer, are on the line.

 

Click HERE to go to the 'pick-em contest.