For the first time in several years, there are no changes in the Bridgeport High School football schedule – if you’re looking at opponents. If you’re looking for changes, then there is one this year. And it’s a big one.

 

Bridgeport will not only kick off the 2015 football season on Thursday, August 27, but they will do so with a live televised game on WVFX. According to WDTV.WFVX General Manager Tim DeFazio, the Bridgeport game at Buckhannon-Upshur will also serve as a way to get a start on their station’s annual coverage.

 

“We’re thrilled to be doing this again and it’s the perfect way to get everyone ready for what we hope will be another exciting year of football in our area,” said DeFazio. “This isn’t our first high school football game and it’s not our first one with Bridgeport.”

 

It has been, however, two years since the Withers Broadcasting Company went live with a game, and that was a college contest. The station situated on Lodgeville Road did the inaugural Alderson Broaddus football game two years ago.

 

“We’ll be ready to go with our entire staff there,” said DeFazio. “We’re calling this the Kickoff Classic.”

 

Bridgeport High School Coach Josh Nicewarner said he’s looking forward to the Thursday evening game and the chance for his kids to have a unique experience. He said past games on television haven’t been too much of a problem, but he prefers that if his team is going to take part that it is done on opening week.

 

“If I was going to pick a week to play and it not be on Friday night this is the week. It helps being that first week,” said Nicewarner. “You’re not into that routine per say.”

 

The Indians come into the game as the two-time defending Class AA champions. Buckhannon-Upshur’s program has been on the upswing in recent years, which should provide for a solid game, said DeFazio.

 

“This is our first time in Buckhannon and we think it’s a great matchup,” said DeFazio. “Plus, doing it this first week should be easier on the coaches and staffs that tend to get into a rhythm during the season so this shouldn’t disrupt anything.”

 

As for the Indians, Nicewarner said they’ll approach it as they would any game. In fact, he said he doesn’t have anything special he plans on telling his kids.

 

“There’s not going to be any special speeches if anyone is expecting that and it shouldn’t affect our team’s play; at least I’d like to think we’re mature enough that it won’t,” Nicewarner said. “We’re excited to be part of this, but as far as it changing how we do anything it’s a non-issue.”

 

DeFazio said long-time WDTV/WVFX Sports Director and Sports Anchor Joe Brocato will call the game. They will soon announce a color analyst. DeFazio said much of the WDTV staff will be on hand to make the process go smoothly.

 

“We always want a good product, particularly when you have both schools being cooperative,” said DeFazio.

 

The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. The coverage on WVFX will begin at 7 p.m. The game will also be streamed lived on WDTV.com.

 

“We want to give the kids involved the opportunity to be on television, but we also are providing a chance for many that can’t get to the game or to watch it,” said DeFazio. “We’re aware of the importance of the gate to the school and we appreciate the concern, but for relatives and friends that don’t have the ability to get to the game or for people who live far away they’ll have this opportunity – thanks to the game being streamed – to watch a loved one. It should be a lot of fun.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of BHS Coach Josh Nicewarner, while WVU verbal commit Dylan Tonkery is shown middle. The WDTV/WVFX satellite truck that will likely be involved is shown below. Top two hotos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com, bottom picture courtesy of Joe Brocato's Twitter page.