After falling in their second game of the season, Bridgeport’s three-game prep football winning streak has it moving slowly – but steadily – up the WVSSAC football rankings. In the latest poll released today, the Indians moved up from the No. 6 spot to No. 4 in the Class AA rankings.

 

Unlike the other polls, the WVSSAC poll is critical to the Indians. It determines postseason rankings and, as it stands now, the Indians would host the first two rounds of playoff games.

 

Despite being 4-1, Bridgeport is  tied with 5-0 Frankfort. The tie has nothing to do with Bridgeport bein more popular with the “voters” as they may be in other statewide polls. The WVSSAC poll is a power poll based completely on wins and bonus points gained when teams you have beaten win games against teams in their own classification or higher.

 

Right now, the Indians trail the other three undefeated teams in the state. Bluefield, at 4-0, is easily at the top of the list in the number one position, while Scott comes in at the second position with a 5-0 record. Ravenswood is just ahead of Bridgeport in the rankings with a 4-0 record.

 

The Indians will look to move up after Thursday. The Tribe will have to beat Class AAA Elkins (1-3) to help their cause. The fact that Elkins is ‘AAA’ will provide additional points.

 

Two of the Tribe’s final four opponents are ranked in the top 16 of Class AA, which are the teams that make the postseason. The Oct. 10 matchup will be against 4-1 and currently No. 7-ranked Keyser. A matchup later in the season will come against 3-2 Fairmont Senior. The Polar Bears are currently ranked No. 13 and tied with Liberty Raleigh and Robert C. Byrd.

 

No other local teams are ranked in the Class AA top 16. In Class AAA, Wheeling Park – the team that topped BHS by a 14-10 score in week two – is 3-1 and ranked No. 9, while Lewis County is 4-1 and ranked No. 11. BHS beat the Minutemen 14-7 earlier this year. Buckhannon-Upshur, a team Bridgeport handled in the opening game of the season, is 3-1 and ranked No. 16 in Class AAA.

 

In Class A, Doddridge County is ranked in the No. 7 position. No other teams are in the top 16.

 

To see the complete rankings of every single team in every classification, click HERE. Scroll down to see the list of each classification by clicking the box.

 

Click HERE to see where Bridgeport is ranked in the MetroNews.com and Charleston Daily Mail polls.

 

Editor's Note: Mitchell Winkie looks for running room as Brandon Hartz comes of the line to help with blocking in this photo from Friday's win over East Fairmont by Tyler Maxwell of www.benqueenphotography.com.