One thing foes of Bridgeport have found out through the years that surprises on big changes in game plans are extremely rare. This Friday, BHS Coach John Cole is expecting his opponent to come back to Wayne Jamison Field doing exactly what they did during their regular season matchup.

 

“From what I’ve seen and what I can tell, it’s going to be pretty much the same team coming in here, probably a better team, that what we saw in week five,”  said Cole. “They do some things different with formations, but it’s basically the same and with the success they’re having why change anything.”

 

Week 5 was a regular season game for the ages as Bridgeport rallied from a late double digit deficit in the fourth quarter to get a 41-35 win against Robert C. Byrd. Now, the two teams will meet again this evening at Jamison Field and the stakes are much higher.

 

The No. 3 and 10-1 Indians and the No. 6 and 9-2 Eagles face off in a Class AA quarterfinal contest. The contest begins at 7:30 p.m.

 

“We haven’t faced a team that has two backs as good as this team,” said Cole.

 

The two backs in question are senior Ghovan Davidson and freshman Jeremiah King. Right now, it’s Davidson getting the bulk of the headlines as the feature back.

 

“It seems like he’s been there forever and the scary part is that he just keeps getting stronger,” said Cole. “He’s deceptive in that he’s patient and that’s a bonus with their blocking scheme. It looks like he’s not a full speed, but he’ll make his read and square his shoulders and it’s just like a bolt through the line. He’s big, strong and tough to deal with.”

 

Cole isn’t overstating anything here. Davidson has the numbers to back that up.  He’s carried the ball 252 times for 2,028 yards (8 yards per carry) with 25 touchdowns.

 

“What’s really scary is his freshman counterpart is the same way. He’s patient too, and an absolute handful,” said Cole.

 

King, the first-year player, has been an impressive understudy. He has carried the ball 86 times for 1,039 yards (12.1 yards per rush) with 13 touchdowns.

 

More than just the natural ability of the running backs makes things work, said Cole. He pointed to something he preaches to on the Indians’ team as the reason for RCB’s rushing success.

 

“Their linemen are space eaters and come off the ball well. When they’re spreading you out and get the ball to either Davidson or King and they decide to make their cut off a read, you have to come off the block and that’s not easy to do against one of the best lines in the state,” said Cole.

 

Cole said he doesn’t expect to pitch a rushing shutout against the Eagles. However, he said one thing has to happen.

 

“We have to do a good job of tackling this game. I don’t think we’re going to stop either totally because of their talent and their line. We just can’t have a bunch of 20-yard plus runs and see them constantly getting to the second level.  If you’re there, you have to make a play,” Cole said. “If it happens, we won’t be successful Friday night. We have to limit their running game. We want to make them one dimensional if at all possible.”

 

The other dimension is pretty solid as well. Sophomore quarterback Xavier Lopez throws for 115.6 yards per game. He’s completed 78-of-146 passes for 1,272 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. And when he hits for pass plays, they’re usually big solid yardage.

 

Bryson Lucas is the primary target with 28 catches for 398 yards (14.2 per catch with four touchdowns. Andrew Sponaugle is next with 22 catches for 300 yards (16.4 yards per catch).  Davidson and King also get receptions out of the backfield with Davidson having 15 catches for 240 yards (16 per catch) and King getting just seven catches, but managing 221 yards (31.6 per catch) on them.

 

“They’re passing game is a big play passing game. Not a lot of teams can say they have a good sophomore quarterback that’s in his second year of starting in the postseason,” said Cole. “(RCB) Coach (Josh) Gorrell has done a great job with some young kids and it’s paying off for the team.”

 

One thing that could help Bridgeport a bit in this game is the presence of senior linebacker Cody Spring. Spring missed the first game for the Tribe and is one of the team’s better defenders against the run. Despite missing two full games, Spring is among the team leaders in tackles with 42 stops on the year.

 

The defensive unit is led by Carson Winkie. Winkie paces the club with 73 tackles. He’s followed by Trey Pancake at 54 and Austin Sponaugle at 53. Elijah Smith is the only other tackler ahead of Spring and he has 48 tackles this season.

 

“We’re in good health and we hope Cody makes a difference, and not just on defense,” said Cole. “He’s one of our best offensive linemen as well. We need Spring and our line to do the job to keep their offense off the field and we sure didn’t do that in the first half of the last game. Thankfully, that changed late, but we’ve got to be more consistent with the running game.”

 

By now, most know the Indians running game means a heavy dose of Jake Bowen with a side of Pancake. Bowen has carried the ball 238 times for 1,967 yards (8.2 yards per carry) with 31 touchdowns this season.

 

Bowen’s looked even better as Pancake has become more of a focal point of the attack. The junior fullback has carried the ball 86 times for 548 yards (6.4 yards per carry) with seven scores.

 

While the Indians will prefer to run the ball the entire game, they will pass.  And that’s not just window dressing.

 

In the last two contests, junior quarterback Devin Vandergrift has thrown five touchdowns. Last week, he had three in the opening round win against Frankfort.

 

For the year, Vandergrift has completed 33 of 57 attempts for 624 yards – or 56.7 yards a contest. He has been picked off twice and has six TDs.

 

When he’s passing, chances are good he’s going to D’Andre Holloway. Holloway has 23 receptions this year for 388 yards and three of the team’s six touchdowns on the season.

 

“It should be another battle. I don’t know why it wouldn’t be,” said Cole. “We’ve played them two other times in the quarterfinals and both times they’ve been tough games. I’m expecting more of the same.”

 

The winner of tonight’s game will face the winner of the Bluefield game with Keyser. The game will be played on the field of the highest remaining seed next week.

 

The game will be broadcast on 103.3 WAJR FM. Chris George and Joe Brocato will have the call.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.