Forget for the moment of everything Mackenzie Holmes could accomplish this year as a senior at Bridgeport High School. And forget for the moment that he’s the only one on this year’s team – or any team for that matter in the schools prestigious history – that has a chance or has ever had a chance to do it.

 

The Indians’ all-stater’s tremendous pedigree aside, Bridgeport High School Coach Josh Nicewarner needs his 6’1, 240-pound wrecking ball of a player to be one thing for certain this coming year. He needs Holmes to be a leader.

 

“The biggest change for Mackenzie this year is transitioning into a leadership role because as far as playing, he’s already a key player for us,” said Nicewarner. “This year he doesn’t have a Dante (Bonamico), Dylan (Tonkery) or an Elijah (Drummond) to lean on. We’re going to be leaning on him heavily not only for offense and defense, but to be that leader for the team. How he handles that will determine to some degree just how well we do this year.

 

“It’s a tough transition, but it’s a transition I fully expect him to take on,” the coach continued. “Hopefully, it’s a smooth transition and the team sees the benefits.”

 

Holmes knows quite well that he’s expected to be more than just a top tackler or a new weapon in the backfield. And he knows he’s expected to carry a leadership role.

 

“Being a leader is critical to what we do as a team. It’s as important as anything and it’s something I take seriously,” said Holmes. “I know the coaches are counting on me in that area.”

 

How Holmes leads isn’t as important as that he simply leads. Nicewarner said there are many ways for his senior standout to fill that role.

 

“Nobody’s saying there’s a definitive way to be a leader, but my definition is a guy that goes out there and leads by example,” said Nicewarner. “You don’t have to be a rah-rah guy because we’ll do the motivating as coaches. We need guys that go hard and guys that want to be out there and do a good job. When other players see that and they see how those players are rewarded that’s where you hope the leadership comes into play. I fully expect Mackenzie to be that guy.”

 

As mentioned at the start, Mackenzie Holmes is already the guy that comes into the season with a chance to accomplish something that’s never been done. In fact, if it gets accomplished, it’s something that can only be matched and not surpassed.

 

Four years ago, Holmes was called up to varsity and ended up starting as a freshman. While that may not seem like a big deal, in Bridgeport football circles it’s a huge deal. In fact, cicadas appear more often than freshman starting the season on a varsity roster.

 

Need proof?

 

Back in 2013, when Holmes was called up at the start of the season the search began for the last time it had happened in August. Players had been called up before, but this was a player being called up in August and thrust into the lineup for varsity action and that, from everyone around the program, apparently hadn't happened for decades as Holmes never played a down of freshman football. Those around the football program said the last time it happened (and not the calling up of freshman at the end of the frosh football season, shortly after or in the middle of it) occurred when Wayne Jamison was just getting involved with the program as a coach. The freshman that got significant time that season was a player named Eddie Goff. If you don’t remember him, it may not be your memory. It may be because it was in 1961.

 

“You know, we put Mackenzie into an unfair situation as a freshman because calling him up was a quick decision that I made even though there was some mulling over whether it was the best thing for Mackenzie,” said Nicewarner. “That year we had several key positions Mackenzie played that we were thin at and it was a decision that had to be made.

 

“The good news was that he had an impact as a freshman,” Nicewarner continued. “The better news is that we’re more pleased he’s grown as a player every year on and off the field.”

 

Because of that call up, Mackenzie Holmes goes into 2016 as the only player in BHS history with a chance to have been on the varsity roster to start the season with a chance to win a fourth straight Class AA championship. Holmes, no stranger to pressure since his frosh days, knows it too.

 

“What I’m thankful for is that the opportunity to do that is there for me and that’s because of a lot of great players we’ve had the last several years. Is there pressure?  Sure, but I’d rather have the pressure of having a chance to be the person to win four straight than not have that pressure,” said Holmes. “I’ve had pressure since they called me up my freshman year because that was a big question about will I amount to what the coaches expect me to be. Pressure isn’t something I turn away from. It’s something I allow to push me.”

 

Holmes hopes to apply the pressure once again on defense this year for the Indians. He’ll be part of the linebacker group that will be one of the team’s strengths. He and Seth Friel return to help secure that area.

 

The hope is to grow on impressive numbers he’s posted. As a freshman, he had 54 tackles, a sack, and recovered a trio of fumbles for the Indians.

 

As a sophomore, he finished with 37 tackles and three interceptions, along with a sack and a half. But, it was last year where he took over defensively. Holmes finished with a team-leading 80 tackles, an interception and one forced fumble. For good measure, he also blocked a kick.

 

Offensively, Holmes was more of a blocker from his end position as opposed to a pass catcher in the Tribe’s run-heavy power pistol offense. Although he caught just five passes last year, which led the team, he averaged 37.2 yards per catch and scored three times. The longest touchdown reception covered 67 yards.

 

While he may catch the ball this year, his offensive role is going to expand. In the opening scrimmage, Holmes lined up in the backfield and that’s going to continue.

 

“When you have a weapon you need to use it. Mackenzie playing in the backfield is something you’ll seen plenty of this year,” said Nicewarner.

 

Holmes has no problem with that.

 

“Running with the ball out of the backfield, yeah, that’s a dream of mine that goes back for years. I enjoyed running with the few catches I made last year so I know being in the backfield can be something special. I’d be lying if I’d say having a breakaway touchdown run wouldn’t be exciting,” Holmes said. “I also know that I can help free other people up with my blocking. I know my primary role is to open holes for others and I’ve got no issue with trying to knock people out of the way.”

 

To get ready for the season, Holmes has worked out on his free time, took part in the football summer lifting program and trained with Wes Brown as part of Brown’s Gorilla Strength Fitness program. It’s all part of a process he hopes leads to a chance to play college football.

 

“I haven’t really had any offers, but I was at the Marshall Football camp this year and was invited back for their second camp. They’re looking at me the most, but there’s been no offer,” said Holmes, who is also getting a lot of interest from Fairmont State.

 

As of now, Holmes said he wouldn’t mind being a member of WVU’s football team – even in a walk-on capacity – if he earns the chance.

 

“Having three guys (Tonkery, Bonamico and Drummond) get a chance last year is a blessing and talks about the talent we have. It would be pretty hard to pass up any opportunity to be at WVU, but there are matters to take care of here first,” said Holmes. “If we win and I do well, all of that stuff will take care of itself. I’m not so much worried about history or the future as I am about winning now. That’s what’s important.”

 

Those words are probably music to Nicewarner’s ears. The words sound like those that come from the mouth of a leader.

 

Editor's Note: Pictures of Mackenzie Holmes by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.