'Getting Better Each and Every Day' the Focus for Bridgeport's Gabe Martin
By Michael Minnich on August 09, 2026
It was a rainy day at Wayne Jamison Field on Friday, but optimism shone through for Bridgeport senior football player Gabe Martin.
“It’s going great,” Martin said of the first week of practice. “We’re getting better each and every day and getting more conditioned each and every day. We’re doing a lot of install and doing very well with it.”
Bridgeport’s successful offseason certainly contributed to that fast start.
“We’ve been lifting since December to get ready for this season. I feel like it definitely prepared us and made it a whole lot easier to feel comfortable,” Martin said.
The Tribe also had a productive summer of 7-on-7 tournaments.
“With our defense, it helps us tremendously going into the season, knowing we’re going to face these good passing teams and being confident that we know what our job is. We know that we beat these 7-on-7 teams and we can do it in a game, too,” Martin said.
One of those powerful offenses comes to Bridgeport in Week 2, defending Class AAAA runner-up Martinsburg.
“I’m pumped. It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be a great crowd and a great game. It’s going to test us to see where we’re at and I’m excited for it,” Martin said.
One of the Tribe’s biggest questions coming into the season was how they would replace graduation losses on the line.
Martin says that question has been answered in a very positive fashion.
“It helps a whole lot knowing that they’re able to fill those positions and they’re working their butts off to do just that and be successful,” Martin said. “It makes a running back very comfortable knowing that we have linemen in front of us that we can trust and know that they’re going to know what their assignment is.”
A consistent chorus from every Bridgeport player interviewed was the progress of Tristin Noble up front.
“He’s worked his rear off. Sean (Veltri) has as well. They’re lifting partners, so they push each other back and forth to get better. Both of them got insanely strong in the offseason and they’re seeing such improvement on the field,” Martin said. “It’s awesome to watch.”
Bridgeport was 11-1 last year, getting upset by Chapmanville in the Class AAA quarterfinals.
“It definitely fires us up knowing that we didn’t end how we wanted to, knowing that we fell short. It pushes us to work even harder. It’s something that can fuel us each and every day throughout practice and this upcoming season,” Martin said.
Martin compared it to how the Tribe bounced back from a tough loss his freshman year to win it all the following season.
“It takes communication. It takes teamwork. It takes get better every day, not taking a day to slack off, but knowing we have what it takes and pressing on and not taking anything for granted,” Martin said. “Don’t settle on the previous play, but know that it’s a new play and we’ve got to make corrections and keep working harder.”
Martin and Bridgeport open the season on Friday, August 28 at home against Buckhannon-Upshur.
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