Bridgeport High School’s Connor Nelson was chosen as the Big 10 Conference’s “lineman of the year” in a vote by the coaches as part of the league’s annual “All Big 10 Football Team.” Bridgeport had five individuals selected to either the first team offense or defense, not counting Nelson’s selection.

 

Nelson was a dominant two-way lineman for the Class AA state champion Indians. Not only did he help pave the way for a dominant ground game, but he also was a key to the BHS defensive line that proved to be among the best – if not the best – in the state.

 

“What makes Connor so unique is he was very quick in putting the team in front of himself,” said BHS Coach Josh Nicewarner. “For two years, he played tight end and he made the transition from end to tackle and, rightly so, because that’s what we needed and it worked out extremely well. He ended up being a leader on the line for us and he was the type of leader that’s not the outspoken kind. He’s the type of leader by example. Here’s a kid that played on both sides of the ball and almost never missed a snap.”

 

The defense allowed less the nine points per game this year, which was best in the state. And it was reflected with four individuals being named to the Big 10 defensive first team.

 

Seniors Michael Gray, Mitchell Winkie and John Wilfong were joined by junior Noah Markley on the first unit. Gray and Markley were linemen that caused havoc all season, while Winkie was the team leader in tackles from his linebacker spot. Wilfong, who played for the first time since middle school, became a key part of the Tribe’s secondary.

 

The Indians’ managed just one first team selection. Dante Bonamico, who surpassed 1,000 yards rushing on the year in the state title game, is the lone junior among three chosen on the first team.

 

Two BHS players were on the second team defensive unit. Senior linebacker Zach Bombardiere and kicker Nick Strogen were selected. Offensively, junior running back Dylan Tonkery and fellow junior lineman Brier Anderson were named to the second team.

 

Robert C. Byrd’s Justin Noble, a senior, was named the conference’s offensive player of the year, while Ross Harvey of Lewis County was chosen as the defensive player of the year. A.J. Harman, who took a 0-10 Liberty team to a 5-5 team in his first season at the helm, was named coach of the year.

 

First Team

Offense

 

Joe Harold, L, Fairmont Senior, Sr.

Bub DeWitt, L, Preston, Sr.

Caleb Riggleman, L, East Fairmont, Sr.

Justin Lucas, L, RCB, Sr.

Austin Swiger, L, Liberty, Sr.

Dylan Gump, L, Lewis County, Jr.

A.K. Snyder, L, Lincoln, Sr.

Hunter Wright, L, North Marion, Sr.

Dante Bonamico, RB, Bridgeport, Jr.

Josiah Nuse, RB, Preston, Jr.

Ben D’Annuznio, RB, RCB, Sr.

Nick Davisson, WR, Fairmont Senior, Jr.

Marcus Lofton, WR, Buckhannon-Upshur, Jr.

Nate Moses, WR, Grafton, Sr.

Chase Riley, WR, Lincoln, Sr.

Jarrod Kellar, QB, Lincoln, Sr.

Bryson Gilbert, P, North Marion, Fr.

 

Second Team

Offense

 

Andrew Smallwood, L, East Fairmont, Jr.

Cord Ozalas, L, Grafton, Sr.

Hunter Santee, L, Grafton, Jr.

Zach Prieto, L, RCB, Sr.

Austin Keesler, L, Lewis County, Sr.,

Blake Miller, L, Preston, Fr.,

Brier Anderson, L, Bridgeport, Jr.

Caleb Watson, L, Elkins, Sr.,

Morgan Kelley, RB, East Fairmont, Sr.

Dylan Tonkery, RB, Bridgeport, Jr.

Issac Kemper, RB, Lewis County, Sr.

Miles Johnson, East Fairmont, WR, Sr.

Anthony Kellar, WR, Lincoln, Soph.

Devonti Birch, WR, RCB, Sr.

Joseph Leon, WR, Fairmont Senior, Jr.

Dominic Smith, QB, Fairmont Senior, Jr.

Cole Collins, Utility, Grafton, Soph.

Tristan Riggs, P, North Marion, Sr.

 

First Team

Defense

 

Noah Markley, L, Bridgeport, Jr.

Juwan Jones-Wright, L, RCB, Jr.

Ryan Carson, L, Lewis County, Sr.

Cole Payne, L, Buckhannon-Upshur, Sr.

Michael Gray, DE, Bridgeport, Sr.

Austin Powell, DE, Preston

Jake Abbott, DE, Fairmont Senior, Sr.

Mitchell Winkie, LB, Bridgeport, Sr.

Logan Robey, LB, Liberty, Sr.

Elias Grant, LB, RCB, Sr.

Noah Redmond, LB, North Marion, Jr.

John Wilfong, DB, Bridgeport, Sr.

Brandon Mallett, DB, Buckhannon-Upshur, Jr.

T.J. Jones, DB, Fairmont Senior, Sr.

Brandon Moneypenny, DB, Lewis County, Sr.

Alex Banko, DB, RCB, Sr.

Malik Brown, Utility, Fairmont Senior, Jr.

Riley Gunter, K, Lewis County, Jr.

 

Second Team

Defense

 

Colton Starkey, DL, Liberty, Sr.

Jacob Bennett, DL, Buckhannon-Upshur, Jr.

Tommy Forinash, DL, Liberty, Sr.

Ryan Scott, DL, Elkins, Sr.

Damien White, DE, Lewis County, Jr.

Gage Jackson, DE, RCB, Sr.

Darius Stills, DE, Fairmont Senior, Sr.

Casey Shrout, LB Preston, Sr.

Brody Withers, LB, Grafton, Jr.

Spenser Long, LB, Fairmont Senior, Jr.

Zach Bombardiere, LB, Bridgeport, Sr.

Jonathan Kreyenbuhl, DB, Liberty, Sr.

Cameron Shrout, DB, Preston, Sr.

Jarrette Zopp, DB, Elkins, Soph.

Ryan Watson, DB, Lewis County, Sr.

Jordan Dean, DB, Buckhannon-Upshur, Jr.

Nick Strogen, K, Bridgeport, Sr.

 

Editor's Note: Cover photo and top photo of Connor Nelson (77) and Michael Gray celebrating after a big play by www.benqueenphotography.com.