A non-winning season was secured two weeks ago. A winning season was secured last Friday. Now, the Bridgeport football team will be looking to secure a postseason bid.

 

The next step on that journey comes this evening. The Indians will play host to Elkins in a Big 10 Conference football battle at Wayne Jamison Field.

 

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

 

The game is more than just game number eight on the season for the 6-1 and Class AA No. 5-ranked Tribe. The contest is also the last regular season home game for 2018 and senior night.

 

While all of those things are important, BHS Coach John Cole isn’t thinking about the postseason or even senior night. His focus, and he hopes that of the team, are on the 2-4 Tigers.

 

“Elkins is a physical football team,” said Cole. “Last year, we went up there last year and they took it to us … especially on defense. You can ask (all-state tailback) Jake (Bowen). That was one of the few games he took some hard hits. For two and a half quarters they took it to it.”

 

The Tigers would love to take it to Bridgeport with its offense. And that means a somewhat steady diet of rushing led by Daniel Romans and quarterback Thomas Talkington. Romans leads the team with 583 yards on 108 carries and seven scores. Talkington has 94 rushes for 426 yards and three scores.

 

Talking has passed for 211 yards this season by completing 21 of his 45 attempts. Austin Storey is the top receiver, hauling in 11 passes for 114 yards.

 

For years, Elkins has been known to run it straight at its foes from the single wing set. Last week, the Tigers went to the spread offense in what turned out to be a losing effort against Robert C. Byrd.

 

Whether that happens this week will be revealed once the game gets under way. Cole is more certain about some of the personnel.

 

“The Romans kid was all-Big 10 last year who was a linebacker that simply killed us on defense until we were able to straighten things up against him,” said Cole. “Plus, he’s running the football. He’s a good player.”

 

If the Tigers do what they’ve done for most of their recent history, it will be something the Tribe hasn’t seen a lot of this year.

 

“They’re coming right at you. We haven’t quite seen that in a while, probably the Liberty game … and at times we’re not the greatest tackling team,” said Cole. “It’s a big test with a physical team. They always have size.”

 

Bridgeport will look to stop what’s coming with its 4-3 defense. Carson Winkie leads the effort with 37 stops, while the trio of Elijah Smith, Trey Pancake and Austin Sponaugle all have 32 tackles. Austin Gibson is right behind the group with 31 tackles.

 

Offensively, Bowen leads the charge with 1169 yards on 153 runs (7.6 yards per carry) with 21 touchdowns. Pancake, who continues to get more touches at fullback, had 325 yards on 52 runs with five scores. Brian Henderson (26 for 190 and two scores) and D’Andre Holloway (30 for 157 with two scores) also are threats to run the ball.

 

Devin Vandergrift has shown the ability to pass the ball if needed to soften up defenses that have continually stacked the box. He’s completed 19-of-37 passes for 275 yards with a pair of interceptions.

 

Bridgeport is 13-2 against Elkins in the series going back to 1979. The last loss came at Jamison Field in 1982 by an 18-0 score.

 

The game will be aired live on 103.3 WAJR FM with “The Voice of the Indians” Travis Jones in the booth to handle the play by play. Chris George will handle the color commentary. Pre-game coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top and bottom photo are from last week's Bridgeport win against North Marion. Middle photo is from last year's BHS game at Elkins. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.