Indians Land Five on Class AA All State Football First Team; Bonamico Named Defensive Captain
By Jeff Toquinto on December 11, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Considering the fact Bridgeport High School rolled through the field on its way to this year’s Class AA football championship, it should 
come as no surprise that the Indians dominated the ‘AA’ all state team that was released today. The Indians had five players selected to the first team, including the defensive captain, while two other players were named to the second team.
come as no surprise that the Indians dominated the ‘AA’ all state team that was released today. The Indians had five players selected to the first team, including the defensive captain, while two other players were named to the second team.
“To have five players selected is really just huge for the program,” said BHS Coach Josh Nicewarner. “Certainly, we felt we’d get at least three and an outside chance at four, which I believe is the most we’ve ever had on the first team. To see five speaks highly of what the writers and the other coaches felt about our program.”
The Indians had three members on the first team defense in defensive lineman Michael Gray (52), linebacker Mitchell Winkie (35) and defensive back Dante Bonamico (21). On offense, the Indians had offensive lineman Connor Nelson (77) and running back Dylan Tonkery (10). For good measure, defensive lineman Noah Markley and kicker Nick Strogen were both named to the second team.
The teams, chosen by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association using their own ballots and those of the coaches, singled out Bonamico for special recognition. Bonamico, just a junior, was named the captain of the defensive unit.
“He’s just such an emotional kid. As great of players as we’ve had come through Bridgeport and even statistically speaking with what Dylan did this year, it might be easy to overlook a kid like Dante,” said Nicewarner. “To look at his numbers on defense doesn’t tell the story, and the same holds true on offense. This kid, quite frankly, is as nasty on defense as anyone I’ve seen. There aren’t many coaches out there who would tell you they wouldn’t like to have 11 Dante Bonamicos on the field.”
Bonamico finished the year with 32 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. He also broke up three passes from the secondary, where many teams didn’t even look in his direction.
“He’s very talented as a running back, but does 
such a better job up front blocking and he loves to block. Then, you go defensively and you see him in the secondary, running up to the line of scrimmage, filling gaps and, basically just flying around and to the ball,” Nicewarner said. “He’s a true player in
every sense of the word.”
such a better job up front blocking and he loves to block. Then, you go defensively and you see him in the secondary, running up to the line of scrimmage, filling gaps and, basically just flying around and to the ball,” Nicewarner said. “He’s a true player inevery sense of the word.”
Joining Bonamico on the defensive unit is Winkie. Winkie finished the year as the leading tackler on the most dominant defensive team in Class AA if not the state. Winkie had 62 tackles, including 13.5 for loss, was tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks and recovered a fumble.
Gray is the last first team defensive selection. The former running back made the move the defensive line as the Indians had depth in the offensive backfield, but needed help up front. The move proved to be beneficial beyond what anyone could have imagined. He finished the year with 57 tackles, a team-high 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovered.
Nelson, like Gray, also made a position switch that proved vital to Bridgeport. The senior spent most of his career as an end on offense, but with the Tribe having a position of need on offense he moved to the line of scrimmage. And he was brutal on the opposition. He helped lead an offensive ground game that amassed 4,556 yards rushing or an average of 325.4 per game.
If Tonkery was on the edge of becoming all state before the postseason began, he was a lock after it ended. Tonkery ended a regular season where he missed more than one game due to injury with 112 carries for 708 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He ended the postseason with a combined total on the year of 183 carries for 1,557 yards and 17 touchdowns. Incredibly, Tonkery had 71 carries for 849 yards (11.96 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns in four postseason games – including three straight against foes considered among the best in West Virginia.
On the second team, Noah Markley was another team opposing offenses more than had their hands full in dealing with. Markley was tied as the club’s second leading tackler and finished with 58 stops on the year. His totals included 10 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble
Once again, the Indians managed to get a soccer player to handle the kicking duties for them. And once again Nick Strogen made that pay off in spades. Strogen finished with 58 points on the year and was nearly automatic on point-after kicks as he connected on 40-of-43. He also was 6-for-8 on field goals and managed a Class AA playoff record 48-yard kick against Liberty Raleigh in the first round.
Bridgeport defensive back John Wilfong, who also returned kicks and punts this year, was named to the special honorable mention list. Defensive lineman Brandon Hartz and linebacker/end Zack Bombardiere were named to the honorable mention list. All three players were seniors.
Class AA All-State Football Team
As Selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association
1st Team
Offense
QB – Gage Shaffer, Frankfort, 6-7, 205, sr.
RB – Ben D’Annunzio, Robert C. Byrd, 6-1, 195, sr.
RB – Shaun Dotson, Herbert Hoover, 5-9, 185,sr.
RB – Dylan Tonkery, Bridgeport, 6-0, 165, jr.
OL – Steve Cook, Wyoming East, 5-11, 240, sr.
OL – Kyle Hickman, Ravenswood, 5-11, 315, sr.
OL – Trenton Mahan, Herbert Hoover, 6-1, 270, sr.
OL – Zach Holt, Mingo Central, 6-3, 190, sr.
OL – Connor Nelson, Bridgeport, 6-3, 235, sr.
WR – Nick Davisson, Fairmont Senior, 5-10, 150, jr.
WR – Cody Stiltner, Wayne, 5-10, 180, jr.
Util – Justin Cogar, Westside, 6-4, 220, sr. (Captain)
K – Tyler Harrison, Mingo Central, 6-1, 277, sr.
Defense
DL – Justin Noble, Robert C. Byrd, 6-4, 240, sr.
DL – Isaac Crow, Ravenswood, 6-5, 220, sr.
DL – Michael Gray, Bridgeport, 6-1, 200, sr.
LB – Jonathan Culicerto, Wyoming East, 5-11, 180, sr.
LB – Mason Hodge, Wayne, 6-1, 220, sr.
LB – Wil Mayes, Nicholas County, 5-11, 202, sr.
LB – Brady Watson, Frankfort, 5-8, 185, sr.
LB – Mitchell Winkie, Bridgeport, 6-1, 190, sr.
DB – Dante Bonamico, Bridgeport, 5-9, 170, jr. (Captain)
DB – Grant Ferguson, Wayne, 6-2, 185, sr.
DB – D.J. Stewart, Bluefield, 5-7, 170, sr.
Util – Rhys Jelich, Ravenswood, 5-9, 206, sr.
P – Stevie Hammond, Mingo Central, 5-7, 171, jr.
2nd Team
Offense
QB – Hunter Wright, Liberty (Raleigh), 6-0, 174, jr.
RB – Nik Walker, Wyoming East, 6-1, 200, sr.
RB – Christian Whittaker, Liberty (Raleigh), 5-10, 170, jr.
RB – Logan Robey, Liberty (Harrison), 6-0, 180, sr.
OL – Chase Adams, Sissonville, 5-10, 190, jr.
OL – Iden Blizzard, Keyser, 6-0, 303, sr.
OL – Trent Lloyd, Frankfort, 5-10, 210, sr.
OL – Tyler Green, Independence, 6-1, 250, sr.
OL – Alex Ashley, Roane County, 5-10, 240, sr.
WR – Justin Kennada, Westside, 5-10, 160, sr.
WR – Jacob Dingess, Chapmanville, 5-9, 160, jr.
Util – William Larch, Weir, 6-1, 210, sr. (Captain)
K – Nick Strogen, Bridgeport, 6-2, 190 sr.
Defense
DL – Joe Harold, Fairmont Senior, 6-3, 235, sr.
DL – Juwan Jones-Wright, Robert C. Byrd, 6-0, 220, jr.
DL – Noah Markley, Bridgeport, 5-9, 250 jr.
LB – Jared Wilkinson, Sissonville, 6-0, 190, jr.
LB – Corey Coppola, Bluefield, 6-4, 248, sr. (Captain)
LB – Caleb Simms, Nicholas County, 5-8, 191, sr.
LB – Kahir Hicks, Weir, 6-0, 205, sr.
LB – Caleb Lester, Mingo Central, 5-11, 175, so.
DB – Noah Bible, Frankfort, 5-5, 160, jr.
DB – Houston Hill, Sissonville, 6-1, 180, sr.
DB – Nate Moses, Grafton, 5-11, 180, sr.
Util – Logan Queen, Wayne, 5-11, 215, jr.
P – Walker Rose, Webster County, 5-8, 160, so.
Special Honorable Mention
Jake Abbott, Fairmont Senior; Jayden Allender, Ritchie County; Alex Banko, Robert C. Byrd; Timmy Biser, Keyser; R.J. Bourne, Bluefield; Stefan Buser, Frankfort; Garrett Crites, Keyser; Tryston Crone, Scott; Kameron Davis, Weir; Tanner Dillon, Chapmanvillie; Skyler Dillow, Bluefield; Clay Ellis, Mingo Central; Trevor Holt, Berkeley Springs; Brendon Honaker, Liberty-Raleigh; Triston Hager, Herbert Hoover; Cody Howie, River View; Connor Jelich, Ravenswood; Chase Justice, Mingo Central; Jarrod Kellar, Lincoln; Colin Kelly, Wayne; Justin Lucas, Robert C. Byrd; Marlin Marrs, Mount View; Gavin Mauzy, Frankfort; Cody May, Roane County; TreShaun McDowell, Liberty-Raleigh; Steven Perry, Wayne; Carlos Reed, Bluefield; Casey Saunders, Wyoming East; Tyler Shafer, Sissonville; Tripp Shiflet, James Monroe; Dominic Smith, Fairmont Senior; Tucker Watts, Wayne; John Wilfong, Bridgeport; Brody Withers, Grafton;
Honorable Mention
Zach Ahart, Clay County; Tanner Ashenfelter, Frankfort; Kyler Atkins, Wayne; Tyree Baker, River View; Evan Beasley, James Monroe; Alex Berry, Chapmanville; Rayce Bolin, Ritchie County; Zach Bombardiere, Bridgeport; Chance Brown, Sissonville; Joe Clark, Berkeley Springs; Steve Cole, Clay County; Larry Cook, Westside; Colton Coomes, Wyoming East; Jake Delaney, East Bryson Dennison, Braxton County; Fairmont; Ben Finchum, Braxton County; Markus Guy, Independence; Elias Grant, Robert C. Byrd; Levi Haines, Berkeley Springs; Trent Hamilton, Frankfort; Tyler Harrison, Mingo Central; Brandon Hartz, Bridgeport; Josh Jarvis, Nicholas County; Ben Johnson, Ravenswood; Jacob Kessel, Frankfort; JK Kreyenbuhl, Liberty Harrison; Seth Logsdon, Frankfort; Jordan Masterson, Bluefield; John Reed McClure, Scott; Tate Mayes, Nicholas County; Reed McNeer, James Monroe; Matt Peery, Ravenswood; Gaje Nichols, Roane County; Dakota Price, Oak Glen; Travis Pomp, Philip Barbour; Noah Redmond, North Marion; JoJo Rice, Weir; Chase Riley, Lincoln; Bryce Robinson, Westside; Cody Rodeheaver, Keyser; Chase Rose, Webster County; Josh Smith, Summers County; Austin Swiger, Liberty Harrison; Cole Weaver, Keyser; Austin Weis, Independence.
