One might think that with his first state title tucked in his back pocket that Bridgeport High School football coach Josh Nicewarner would be preaching about the ability to defend the Class AA title they won at Wheeling Island Stadium. While that’s not on the agenda, looking to get back to Wheeling Island most certainly is.

 

And Nicewarner says that’s going to be the case every year he’s the case. When it isn’t, he said it’s time to step down.

 

“I know the kids watch TV, read the paper and read what’s on the internet about them defending their championship and I can’t help that because I can’t keep them from doing those things. The thing is, those kids better be striving to win this year and every year. We’re not making it a bigger deal than before; that’s the media and that’s because we won it,” Nicewarner said. “Honestly, if you’re not out there trying to play for the state championship you shouldn’t be out there. Why the hell else would you do this if that wasn’t your goal? Maybe some teams see that as being an unrealistic goal, but that’s what we shoot for. If that’s not the case, we might as well forfeit our games and I’ll hang up the whistle to be totally honest with you.”

 

Getting a forfeit win against the Indians might be the best way to go for the opposition. Last year, the Tribe went 13-1 with the only setback coming on a last-second field goal in Week 2 to Wheeling Park; a Class AAA team that made it to the semifinals of the postseason.

 

This year, however, the Indians know they’ll have to work even harder to have a chance to defend their state title. Sixteen seniors are gone from last year’s squad, including several two-way starters. That doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare.

 

Despite the fact that 1,000 yard rushers in Anthony Bonamico and quarterback Anthony “A.C.” Caldera are gone, the Tribe should have plenty of punch in the backfield. Once again, they will primarily utilize the pistol, shotgun formation that capitalizes on the old stick-I blocking schemes. There is, however, going to be some modification.

 

“It will be a lot of the same stuff, but with more of the ‘side car’ stuff with our backs,” said Nicewarner. “We’re going to show the other team’s defense looks where they have to be concerned both ways.”

 

What that means is that senior Zach Spurlock will line up at the quarterback and likely have standout juniors Dante Bonamico and Dylan Tonkery at either side. At the h-back spot, or upback, senior Mitchell Winkie is back and healthy and will likely help plow the way for yardage from the other three in the backfield. Bonamico could also see some snaps there, but it will likely be in key situations as opposed to simply lining him up behind the center.

 

“I’m comfortable with Zach and he’s earned it. Zach has given us the ability to utilize the skills of Dante and Dylan. Those two have become instinctive leaders and as I’ve said before, I don’t care that they’re both juniors; I wouldn’t care if they were freshmen, if they can lead then lead,” Nicewarner said. “Being a leader isn’t something everyone can do.”

 

While those two are being counted on team leadership, they’ll be counting on a senior-laden line to open up holes for them.

 

In the middle, senior Josh Hastings is “in the right frame of mind and we’re pleased with that” after battling injuries as a junior. He’ll man the critical center position and handle long snapping. If injury becomes an issue, Matt Dillon – a transfer from Grafton – will step in.

 

Another senior seeing his first time in the heart of the trenches is Connor Nelson, who has literally gotten better and bigger each year. He’ll join up with junior Brier Anderson at the tackle positions. Nicewarner said Anderson is working his way back into shape and he hopes he’ll be able to make an impact.

 

At the guard spots, the Indians will lean on a trio of seniors – Brandon Hartz, Landon McHenry and Michael Gray. Nicewarner said it’s Hartz that can “be as good as he wants to be.” As for McHenry, he pointed to his offseason conditioning and accepting the challenge of Nicewarner and assistant coach John Cole. “He took the challenge to heart and his reward will be playing time.” Gray, who saw time as a back last year, wanted to play and decided to put on some bulk and play on the line. That “team-first mentality” is what helps Bridgeport each year, Nicewarner said.

 

As for backups, junior Noah Markley could fit the bill. However, Nicewarner still sees him more as a defensive standout where he created havoc last year.

At the ends, look for Mackenzie Holmes, Zach Bombardiere, Hunter Haddix and newcomer John Wilfong to handle the duties. Just who lines up will be determined many times on the formation. Holmes athletic ability and ability to block down and catch the ball made the move of Holmes from the line to tight end a “no brainer,” the coach said.

 

Many of the same names will be found on the defensive side of the ball. In the middle, look for Markley and Anderson to lead the way. Markley emerged as a force last year as a sophomore and the Indians will need more of that this year as well.

 

When it comes to the ends, Gray will see time on one side and Nelson on the other. For Nelson, it’s a continuance of contributing since his sophomore year. Nicewarner said it’s because “putting in the time is never an issue with Connor.”

 

At linebacker, look for Bombardiere to man the middle with Holmes and Winkie, whom Nicewarner said is “pound for pound as tough a kid as we’ve got,” on the outside. Plus, Winkie goes into the season healthy after a season-ending shoulder injury late last year.

 

The cornerback spots will be filled by Wilfong and junior Luke Southern. Both are first-year starters that Nicewarner says “are athletic with good speed that we hope will fill in for the bumps they’ll have and the nerves the experience until they get comfortable.”

 

On the backline of the defense is some serious strength. The secondary is being rounded out by Tonkery and Bonamico.

 

“They cover a lot of field out there,” said Nicewarner. “We’re asking them to cover deep and we’re asking them to come up and stop the run. The good news is that they bring as much experience to the field as anyone we have and they’re as fast and as tough as anyone we have.”

 

Bridgeport’s special teams will be led by new kicker and punter. As of Wednesday, Nicewarner was still looking to see if Jake DeFalco or Nick Strogen – or perhaps someone else – would handle those duties. Look for DeFalco to possibly handle that and whether it’s him, or someone else, to potentially go rugby style.

 

Strogen, like DeFalco, is also playing soccer. Nicewarner said Strogen will be handling kickoffs and field goals.

 

“I look at this team and my concern is up front. We have had talented running backs here at Bridgeport for as long as I can remember, but the lifeblood of success is those guys up front,” the coach who is starting his fifth year said. “If they do their job and our backs hold onto it, it has generally created wins for us.

 

“What I’m not concerned about is our speed and versatility. Quite frankly, it is unlike any on any time I’ve been around,” Nicewarner continued. “All you have to do is look at our options in our offensive backfield and the decisions that we made based on the fact a guy like Dante can play so many places and you see why that’s a strong suit for us.”

 

Just how things get started will be determined this evening. The Indians face off at home against a Buckhannon-Upshur team that went 3-7 last year. Second-year Coach Duane Stoeckle is looking for the upset and Nicewarner said he thought B-U looked good in scrimmage action. Nicewarner is 4-0 against B-U during his time as head coach.

 

“The emphasis (tonight) is on Buckhannon-Upshur. The overall emphasis is to win that game and keep winning,” said Nicewarner. “We should be thinking that way whether we’re the defending state champs or not. There’s more to football than wins and losses. It’s a frame of mind that makes a difference that ultimately comes back to how many you win and how many you lose.”

 

Kickoff at Jamison Field is set for 7:30 p.m. You can follow in-game updates on Twitter by going to @connectBP. You can also listen to live coverage of the game on 103.3 WAJR FM. Listen to the play by play call of Travis Jones with plenty of analysis from Tim Brady and Ryan Nicewarner.

 

Editor's Note: Photos are from Wednesday's practice session showing players getting ready - and the field getting ready - for Friday's home-opening game with B-U.