Despite having a loss on the schedule, Bridgeport jumped to the top of the WVSSAC Class AA football rankings following the team’s 35-7 win against North Marion Friday. BHS, now 7-1, was able to leapfrog Frankfort, the last remaining team in Class AA.

 

Frankfort is also coming off a win last week. The Falcons upended Petersburg by a 49-13 score.

 

FHS aren’t alone in the second spot. Wayne also drew even at the second position.  The Pioneers are 6-1, while the Falcons are 7-0.

 

However, the rankings done by the WVSSAC has no preferential treatment. It’s based solely on wins and strength of schedule. Bridgeport, with multiple Class AAA opponents and several state-ranked Class AA foes, picks up a bevy of bonus points in the WVSSAC formula each week.

 

Frankfort certainly can regain the lead in the poll if the team keeps winning. However, a key game Oct. 31 – at home against state-ranked Keyser – will be key to where the Falcons end up. Bridgeport has two games against teams currently in the playoff field to close out the regular season; and both games are on the road. Wayne also could move to the top based on bonus points and if Frankfort or Bridgeport stumble.

 

Although the Tribe is off this Friday, they will visit Class AA No. 13 Fairmont Senior Oct. 31. The Indians then close the regular season the Friday after that with a visit to Class AAA No.  14-ranked Preston in Kingwood.

 

The move to the top spot means the Indians are ranked No. 1 in all the prep polls. The Tribe was ranked No. 1 in both the Charleston Daily Mail and MetroNews.com polls, both of which are done by journalists of print and radio. However, the WVSSAC poll is the only poll that is used to determine the 16 teams that make the postseason field in each classification.

 

BHS is looking to finish no worse than the second spot by trying to win out. A top two finish guarantees home field as long as they remain in the postseason.

 

Rounding out the top five is Bluefield at No. 4 and Mingo Central at No. 5. Keyser is ranked No. 7, while Robert C. Byrd comes in at No. 11. Liberty Harrison is in the No. 15 spot. Wheeling Park, the team that beat BHS, is ranked No. 8 in Class AAA, while Lewis County is at No. 12.

 

In Class A, Notre Dame is ranked at No. 5.

 

Click HERE to read the entire WVSSAC ratings system in all three classifications. Scroll down to the box that reads rankings and choose the appropriate classification you would like to view.

 

Bridgeport, as mentioned above, also fared well in the most recent “human” polls. The MetroNews.com and Charleston Daily Mail Polls, both done by sports journalists in the print and radio media, have the Indians ranked in the number one spot. Click HERE to read a story on those rankings.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Tyler Maxwell of www.benqueenphotography.com.