Outside the Tribe: Bridgeport's Name Stamped All Over Postseason Record Books Even Before Jefferson Game
By Chris Johnson on November 25, 2021 from Outside the Tribe
A few years ago I was asked by the WVSSAC to take over tracking the playoff stats that are submitted to the NFHS as well as being the gatekeeper for the state’s playoff records for all three classes.
In a normal year, four to five records are either tied or broken.
Last Saturday at Wayne Jamison Field, an entire section of the Class AAA preliminary record book was shattered, obliterated and completely re-written.
Bridgeport’s performance in a 74-49 victory against Jefferson that earned a spot in the semifinals for the Indians for an 11th straight season (which may be a record as well) was kind of mind-boggling.
I’m still trying to figure out what was more impressive, the Indians setting a total yardage record with 717 yards and just one completed pass or the fact that their record-setting 690 rushing yards (the previous record was 546) was more than enough without any passes to break the previous total yardage mark of 676.
All in all, seven preliminary records were tied or set last Saturday.
- Rushing touchdowns by a team – Bridgeport with 10.
- Rushing yards be a team – Bridgeport with 690.
- Most passing yards by a team – Jefferson with 581.
- Most rushing attempts by a team – Bridgeport with 69.
- Most total yards by a team – Bridgeport with 717.
- Most passing yards by an individual – Jefferson’s Sammy Roberts with 581.
- A tie for the most passing touchdowns by an individual – Jefferson’s Roberts with six.
There’s no doubt that seven is a lot of records to go down in one game but it was just seven years ago that Bridgeport was part of another postseason game that saw eight records tied or broken.
In the 2014 Class AA state championship game, in which Bridgeport defeated Frankfort, 43-7, eight Super Six records (all of which are still standing) records were set or tied.
- A tie for rushing touchdowns by a team – Bridgeport with 6.
- Most rushing yards by a team – Bridgeport with 426.
- Most total yards by a team – Bridgeport with 426.
- A tie for most punts – Frankfort with 6 (which actually ties Bridgeport’s 6 against Winfield in 1988).
- Most penalty yards – Frankfort with 183.
- Most yards rushing by an individual – Bridgeport’s Dylan Tonkery with 315.
- Most total yards by an individual – Bridgeport’s Tonkery with 315.
- A tie for fewest passing yards in a game – Bridgeport 0 (a mark the Indians also set in state title game victories against Wayne in 2000, Tolsia in 2015 and Bluefield in 2019).
Tonkery’s 315 yards was a school record until Landyn Reppert broke that mark against Jefferson with 318. Reppert, who added three touchdowns against the Cougars, wasn’t the only BHS back to have a career effort last Saturday. Aidan Paulsen had 17 attempts for 238 yards and five touchdowns.
Somewhat overlooked last week was another strong performance by the school’s fifth all-time leading rusher, Cam Cole. Cole had 103 yards on 19 attempts with two touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass and on defense he intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.
If anything, Cole reminded everybody just how versatile he is, which is something else reflected in the postseason record books. Cole is the only player in playoff history, regardless of class, to have two interceptions returned for a touchdown in a game, a feat he accomplished as a sophomore in 2019 against Lewis County.
Take away the 2014 Frankfort game, the 2021 Jefferson game, any active player on the roster and the Indians still have made a mark on the playoff record books.
Some of the highlights include:
Carson Winkie set a Class AA Super Six record for rushing attempts in a game with 43 in the state championship game win against Bluefield inn 2019.
Brett Hathaway owns the Class AAA preliminary record for rushing attempts in a game with 49 against George Washington in 2011.
Joe Horne has the only blocked kick returned for a touchdown in Super Six history, doing so against Wayne in 2000.
Connor Kornbrath is tied for the most field goals in a Class AAA preliminary round game with three against University in 2010.
Nick Strogen has the Class AA preliminary round record for longest field goal, kicking a 48-yarder in 2014 against Liberty Raleigh.
Also in 2014, the Indians set the record for fewest rushing yards allowed as Robert C. Byrd had -28. In 2015, the record for fewest passing yards allowed was set by the Indians, surrendering -5 to Independence.
Editor's Note: Top photo is Reppert in last week's Jefferson game by Joe LaRocca. Middle photo of Tonkery in the 2014 state title game and bottom photo of Cole in a 2019 playoff game against Lewis County where he had a pair of pick sixes courtesy of benqueenphotography.com
