Although Bridgeport was the number one ranked team in the state according to the computer-based program utilized by the WVSSAC, the Indians were also number one in another final poll. The Tribe’s football team went from preseason to the final game of the regular season as the top-ranked squad in the MetroNews.com power ratings.

 

Bridgeport finished the year 9-0-1 and went into the season as the MetroNews.com Poll’s preseason favorite by a panel of 30 sports journalists from across West Virginia. BHS remained number one the entire season with the only deviation being a few weeks during the early part of the year when they weren’t the unanimous choice of the 30 panelists.

 

Ironically, for the first time this year, the MetroNews poll mirrors the WVSSAC rankings – at least in the top sports. In fact, the top seven positions are the same and nine of the top 10. The only team ranked higher than their WVSSAC ranking is 7-3 Weir, which is listed at No. 8 in the MetroNews poll and is ranked No. 15 in the SSAC standings.

 

Locally, Fairmont Senior comes in at No. 4 and Robert C. Byrd comes in at No. 9. The Polar Bears finished the year at 8-2 and RCB ended the regular season at 7-3. Keyser, another Tribe foe, is No. 5. The Indians could face all three of those foes in future rounds of the playoffs if BHS wins Friday and future games.

 

Another Bridgeport foe during the regular season is also ranked highly. Wheeling Park finishes the MetroNews rankings at No. 2, which is one spot higher than the No. 3 ranking it has in the WVSSAC standings. BHS and the Patriots finished in a “tie” after the game was called due to continuing lightning strikes.

 

In Class A, one local squad made the mix. South Harrison, No. 3 in the WVSSAC poll, is listed as the No. 6 squad by the state sports journalists.

 

Click HERE to review the entire poll in all three classes.

 

Editor's Note: Photo by Tyler Vincent of www.benqueenphotography.com.