No one has to remind Bridgeport High School Coach Josh Nicewarner about the hype surrounding his football team as it heads into the 2015 football season. The media, the community and just about everyone that follows high school football have been busy with that.

 

“That seems to be the popular question among the media is about the hype around this team and if we can handle the pressure and my answer is that we welcome it because it means we’ve done something right over the last two years,” said Nicewarner. “As far whether that bothers the kids or how we play, we’re going to find out real fast.”

 

The first time the Indians will find out is Thursday evening. Bridgeport will be among the first teams to open up the 2015 season with a rare Thursday evening contest at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Game time is 7:30 p.m. and the game will actually be aired live on WVFX TV (Fox Channel 7 on local Time Warner Cable).

 

“The thing people probably realize is that the expectations  are always high, but this is something new. We want to prove to people what the hype is all about,” the coach said. “In order to handle the hype you have to go out on the field and back it up.”

 

The hype is the result of back-to-back 13-1 seasons. More to the point, the hype is the result of back-to-back Class AA state championship seasons. And last year, the Indians steamrolled to the championship and ended things with a 43-7 win against Frankfort in the title game at Wheeling Island Stadium.

 

Can Bridgeport make it three in a row? The Indians, arguably, have the state’s best backfield to lead the way in making that happen.

 

“This is my 14^th year as either an assistant or head coach and this is the most athletic backfield we’ve ever had – easily – and I’m emphasizing athletic. Even you take the quarterback out of the equation, you actually have three running backs that could easily be three number one tailback on any of the teams I’ve been involved with and that’s taking into accounts some really good runners this team has had,” said Nicewarner.

 

When looking at the backfield, there are multiple weapons. Of course, there’s one weapon that has been offered and verbally accepted an offer from West Virginia University in senior Dylan Tonkery.

 

“Dylan stands out, let’s say that. I can’t help but think that if he picks up where he left off last year that he’ll be among the discussion of top players in the state,” said Nicewarner. “His future is taken care of and we think Dylan is focused on getting himself and team back to Wheeling and bringing home third state championship. Again, that is something the season will reveal.”

 

Last year’s statistics reveal some pretty solid numbers. Despite missing more than one game due to injury and playing in half of multiple blowouts, Tonkery finished the year with 1,557 yards on 183 carries (8.5 yards per carry) with 17 touchdowns.

 

When Tonkery was out of the game, or even when he was in the game, the next option wasn’t exactly a downgrade in talent. Senior Dante Bonamico finished his junior year with 1072 yards on 167 carries (6.4 yards per carry) and finished with a team-high 19 touchdowns. He, too, missed more than one game due to injury.

 

Bonamico gives BHS the ability to play tailback, fullback or the H-back for the Tribe. And he’s solid no matter where he’s at on offense.

 

“Dante is the first kid that every coach I talk to says I’d like to have 11 of him on my team. You know what? I sing that same tune,” said Nicewarner. “As for what to say about him, well, that’s been beaten to death for good reason. He’s the most competitive kid you’ll find and he brings that attitude to the weight room, to practices and the games. Heck, if you play chess with him he’s probably bringing it there. His will to win and his determination in not accepting defeat or less than 100 percent effort is there every time you deal with him.”

 

The Tribe’s third leading rusher is senior quarterback Zack Spurlock. Spurlock carried the ball 105 times for 728 yards (6.9 yards per carry) and scored 10 touchdowns. He also completed 21-of-33 passes for 430 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception in the Indians’ pistol offense.

 

“What makes Zach’s season exciting for us beyond his ability is that he’s the first quarterback we’ve had returning since we’ve inserted the (pistol),” said Nicewarner. “We’re looking to add some wrinkles to the offense and there’s no better person to do it with than someone who has the skill set and experience that Zack has.”

 

Although the pistol offense employs multiple components of the decades old stick-I, it still relies heavily on the blue collar position similar to the upback. Senior Elijah Drummond will fill the spot of H-Back for the Tribe this season.

 

“He may be the one guy that we can’t do without offensively and defensively. The unique thing about that is because of his position, he’s the one you’ll hear the least about in the media, but the guy that means as much as anybody,” said Nicewarner.

 

Drummond made the most of limited carries last year. He finished with 55 carries for 283 yards with two touchdowns.

 

Bridgeport also has depth in the backfield. Junior Gordon Swiger, who received plenty of junior varsity reps last year, is someone that Nicewarner said he has the “utmost confidence in” if needed to fill in. As for others behind center, look for juniors Seth Friel, Nick Muller and J.T. Harris to step in where needed.

 

“It’s a domino effect with the backups. If Dylan goes out, Dante moves back and someone fills in another position somewhere and it’s the same when one of the others go out,” said Nicewarner.

 

While the backfield is strong and experienced, Nicewarner knows his team will have a much easier go of things if the offensive line can develop. And it’s the one area where the coach has concerns, primarily due to a lack of experience.

 

The main starter back is senior tackle Brier Anderson. Anderson (5’10, 235) is recovering from a serious elbow injury suffered during the wrestling season that required surgery.

 

“His elbow doesn’t seem to be a problem. He still protects it, but all in all not seeing too many affects from his injury. He got banged up in camp and you could see the impact when he was in there,” said Nicewarner. “For us to get to where we want to go, he has to have an impact.”

 

Although not a full-time starter, Matt Dillon made the most of several opportunities at center last year when graduated senior Josh Hastings was injured. Dillon (5’10, 215, sr.) will man that spot this year.

 

“I consider him a veteran. He’s somewhat new to the team (as a transfer last year), but I can honestly tell you he’s the hardest working kid I’ve ever been around,” the coach said. “You go in early on a Tuesday and he’s working out by himself somewhere. It’s to the point I’ve had to tell him not to overdo it. He’s as committed to success as anyone I’ve ever seen.”

 

A new face at guard on the offensive line is a veteran on the defensive line. For the first time in his three years on the varsity roster, Noah Markley (5’8, 265, sr.) will start at guard on offense.

 

“We told him he was going to have to be a two-way guy this year and that’s because in the past we didn’t have to use him … He was reluctant, but after the Morgantown scrimmage earlier this year he came up and told the coaches that we were right,” said Nicewarner. “It’ s nice when a young man recognizes you’re trying to help the team and buys in. His ability on the line and to excel there like he does on defense is as critical as anything we have this year.”

 

The remaining starters are Jacob Griffith at tackle and Seth Marshall at guard. Both seniors are back after missing at least one year from the program. Nicewarner said he “was pleasantly shocked” to see just how much Griffith (5’11, 245) had retained since his sophomore year. As for Marshall (5’10, 210), he said he has the ability at guard to be “a game changer.”

 

Right now, depth is limited. Nicewarner pointed to Jacob Goldizen (5’11, 255, jr.), Jimmy Allison (6’3, 265, soph.) and Noah Gray (5’10, 195, sr.) as the players who will spell relief.

 

The big blocking end will be junior Mackenzie Holmes. Holmes (6’1, 235), despite having just one catch last year, is a big target that will be counted  on more for plowing a path than burning rubber with the football.

 

“That’s a big, strong athletic  young man who knows what we expect of him,” said Nicewarner.

 

The other end, the split end, isn’t as settled as game time approaches. Nicewarner pointed to Harris, Luke Southern and Hunter Haddix as individuals that could also see action. He also said Jared Ebright could also see time when the Indians go to a double tight end set.

 

“The biggest thing with them is how do they block in space? I’ve got faith in all of them, which is a good thing because that means we have a little depth,” Nicewarner said.

 

On special teams, the Indians got a pleasant surprise when Koby Kiefer moved up from the freshman team last year. And he’s looking to fill the role of graduated senior Nick Strogen this year. Kiefer will handle the punting, kickoffs, extra points and field goals.

 

“He’s really been a pleasant surprise and his punting has really improved,” the coach said. “ … He has the ability to kick it deep on punts and kickoffs and sometimes pinning your opponent proves to be the best thing for the defense and, because of that, the best thing for your offense.”

 

Nicewarner said he’s not sure of Kiefer’s range. However, he said he won’t hesitate to bring the sophomore in to kick anywhere inside the 20-yard line.

 

Defensively, Bridgeport will be switching things up this year. The Tribe will primarily be using a 4-2-5. And as one might note, the strength of the defense will be in the secondary.

 

Nicewarner said that Harris and Southern will be at the corners, while junior Haden Miller will be a free safety. Bonamico will man the strong safety spot and Tonkery will be at the weak side safety. Swiger will back all of them up and could end up “finding himself starting” as well. Southern, Tonkery and Bonamico are all starters.

 

“I don’t want to say it’s the backbone of the defense, but at the same time if the secondary is not we’re not going to be in real good shape,” Nicewarner said. “They bring back a lot emotionally and physically back this year.”

 

The two linebackers will be Holmes and Drummond. While Nicewarner is confident in their ability, he’s not confident in the amount of depth at that position.

 

“We don’t feel like we have the linebackers needed to fulfill the 4-3 defensive requirement,” he said. 

 

However, he does have some players to step in. Friel and Ebright will both be counted on to spell the starters in the early going.

 

The defensive line will be led by Markley. Nicewarner said he’s the team’s anchor and needs to continue to take charge.

 

“With him going both ways this year, it’s going to be a more difficult chore,” said Nicewarner. “He knows we need him going full tilt.”

 

At the other tackle will be Anderson. He got reps at the spot this year and Nicewarner things he’ll fill nicely into the position vacated by Brandon Hartz.

 

At the end, Muller will fill the position vacated by Mike Gray and Nicewarner said he thinks he can do the same type of damage Gray did after converting to the defensive line as a senior last year. Muller was in the secondary and switched to help in an area where BHS was thin.

 

“He’s not big, but gets to the ball and gets to the quarterback,” Nicewarner said.

 

At the other end, Hunter Haddix will go from backup to fulltime starter.  Nicewarner said he doesn’t have the physical stature of Connor Nelson who has graduated, but he does have the same tools that made Nelson and all-stater last year.

 

As for backups on the line, Nicewarner said Marshall and Ebright will both see snaps at the position.

 

“It’s important to note that this is a new team and that we haven’t won a thing. Just because we’ve won back-to-back titles doesn’t guarantee this team anything,” the coach said. “The only thing I can guarantee is that a state title is our goal, which is what we aim for every year. That’s what every team we line up against is playing for as well so we better bring it if we want to be the team to achieve that goal.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Dylan Tonkery busting loose for yardage, while Coach Josh Nicewarner gives instruction to Zack Spurlock in the second photo. In the third photo, Elijah Drummond makes the most of a carry and in the fourth photo lineman Noah Markley is shown getting ready to cause havoc on defense. In the fifth picture, Nicewarner talks with Mackenzie Holmes (80) and Brier Anderson, while the sixth photo show Hunter Haddix getting ready on special teams. In picture seven, Dante Bonamico lines up for a hit. In the bottom photo, Nicewarner addresses the team after last year's state title win. All photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.