With the 2014 Bridgeport football team, there are two questions that seem to be in the forefront. And on Saturday, at least one of those questions was answered.

 

During a scrimmage with Morgantown Saturday at Pony Lewis Field, one of those questions was answered. The second question, well, that’s still up in the air.

 

“We went in the pistol during the scrimmage and we’re going to use it again,” said Nicewarner dispelling any thoughts for those that questioned whether the Indians would use – for them – the radically different offense for the second straight year.

 

The pistol formation last year proved pivotal in Bridgeport capturing the Class AA state championship – the school’s seventh and the first since 2000. The pistol, which allows the quarterback more options to run with the ball while employing much of the same blocking strategies utilized by the decades-old stick-I offense, took advantage of graduated quarterback Anthony “A.C.” Caldera’s running ability and didn’t allow teams to zero in on star tailback Anthony Bonamcio.

 

The second question involves the aforementioned Caldera. Who will replace him as the signal caller this year for the Tribe?

 

“I honestly don’t know,” said Nicewarner. “I can tell you Zack Spurlock gained confidence and I was pleased with how he ran the offense. I can tell you he came out of that scrimmage as the frontrunner, but it’s not settled.”

 

Nicewarner also singled out Bonamico and Dylan Tonkery as having strong scrimmages. Both of those players will figure prominently in the Indians backfield.

 

Spurlock primarily ran with the first team offense. Luke Southern also got in time and Dante Bonamico ran about five plays at quarterback. Another player that Nicewarner is looking at – Gordon Swiger – sat out due to turf toe.

 

Both Bridgeport and Morgantown’s first teams went 10 plays for two separate series. Nicewarner said he didn’t believe either team scored during those plays or after the plays was up or it went to a standard down and distance.

 

“I saw a lot more things that concerned me when I watched the tape, but that’s always the case; even after last year’s championship game,” said Nicewarner. “My gut feeling was that I was pleased and I was pleased because I thought our effort was good. Even the mistakes we saw at the game and on film are ones we believe can be fixed.”

 

Nicewarner’s biggest concern is one that he had going into the scrimmage and one that only a healthy season and the development of young players, newcomers and those waiting for their turn in the rotation can make. And that concern is depth.

 

“You have guys get tired during games and you have those that get hurt; it’s the nature of the game. We hope we can find people to plug into key holes if there are problems,” said Nicewarner.

 

Nicewarner said the one thing he wants the team to develop is something the coaching staff already has developed. He thinks it should come naturally.

 

“Once you’ve been to Wheeling and been victorious, you get hungry for that,” said Nicewarner. “You want to see guys get that and, a lot of times, the way to get that is with game experience. A scrimmage may not do it because you don’t face that adversity. How this team responds when getting smacked in the mouth will tell me how hungry they are.”

 

Bridgeport will have its second scrimmage Thursday. The Indians host Parkersburg South at 6 p.m. The scrimmage at Wayne Jamison Field is open to the public.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of Josh Nicewarner, middle photo of Luke Southern and bottom photo of Dante Bonamico all by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.