NOTE: Click HERE to see Bridgeport's preseason all-state selections.

 

On a blustery and humid morning, Bridgeport High School’s football team official started the 2017 season with the first of two practices scheduled for the day to get the team ready for the August 25 season-opening game at Lewis County.

 

With the Indians seeing their three-season Class AA state championship run come to an end last year in the playoff semifinals and with a bevy of upperclassmen graduating, some may think the Tribe’s run atop the ‘AA’ ladder is over.

 

“If someone wants to overlook us that’s not a problem because we can’t control what people think,” said Cole. “All I know since I’ve been here is that we’ve usually had a target on our back. We’re okay either way.”

 

Just how the Indians react to the expectations of their foes and of their own fan base will be determined by the 50 players that showed up this morning for practice. That number did not include nearly a dozen freshmen that voluntarily showed up to participate. The 50 players is a few players higher than the Tribe has witnessed in recent years.

 

“The turnout is encouraging,” said Cole.

 

Before the first whistle was blown this morning and helmets were put on, Cole was hoping he had some kids show up in shape to handle the conditioning and the heat that often accompanies the mid-summer days.

 

“You just hope the kids came to the conditioning and did their work. For the most part, what I saw this morning was average,” said Cole. “I wasn’t real pleased with it, however, the handful of kids that go through the conditioning this morning were primarily the ones who took part in the running drills that we do starting in April. It showed.”

 

Cole worked late in the practice today with Adam King with one group, while assistants Brett Hathaway and Robbie Buffington worked on the opposite end of the field with another group. The same players will be back at 5:30 p.m. for the second of the two-a-day drills that will take place today, Wednesday and Friday.

 

While players may not standout until pads are put on and contact begins in the days ahead, Cole said that despite the graduation of players, there is talent on the roster.

 

“We’ve got some kids with a lot of speed and, obviously, John Merica is going to be our quarterback. We think he can make a lot of plays there,” said Cole. “We’ve just got to watch how many times we give him the ball. We think he’s fairly dynamic.”

 

Cole said the team has eight players running under a 5.0 40 speed based on their timing. The fastest of the group, he said, was kicker/punter Koby Kiefer. Merica was the second fastest followed by Brice Haines.

 

“I’m not real thrilled that our kicker is our fastest player,” said Cole with a laugh. “Both (Kiefer and Mercia) are pretty fast kids. Kiefer is a really good athlete.”

 

Those players, and the rest will get their first taste of action Saturday, August 12. On that day at Jamison Field the Indians will host a scrimmage featuring Morgantown.

 

“We’re excited because we have a great community to play for and these kids come from excellent families,” said Cole. “If the kids come with a good attitude, willing to learn, willing to give all they have the success will take care of itself.”

 

As for Cole, the interim tag should come off tomorrow at a 1 p.m. special meeting of the Harrison County Board of Education. At that time, he will officially be recommended to the elected Board of Education to be the interim coach for the rest of the year as well as strength and conditioning coach. Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin said he fully anticipates that to be approved.

 

Also, former volunteer BHS Coach and all-state running back Brett Hathaway will drop his volunteer coaching title for at least a year. Manchin will be recommending him as the interim assistant varsity football coach for the current school year pending completion of online paperwork for his coaching renewal.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Coach John Cole addressing the team at the end of the initial practice this morning, while drills are taking place in the second photo. Soon-to-be-interim assistant coach Brett Hathaway is shown in the bottom photo.