Outside of winning all but one of the first eight games, if there’s been one thing fairly consistent this year for the Bridgeport High School football team it’s been injuries to key members of the Indians’ offensive backfield.

 

Outside of the initial game of the season, the Indians have went most of the year without the services of one – or occasionally – both of the two running backs expected to lead the team this year. Perhaps that’s why Tribe Coach Josh Nicewarner was looking forward to an open week following last Friday’s 35-7 win over North Marion.

 

“(The open week) comes at a good time for us,” said Nicewarner. “We have a few kids that can use the time to get healthy and, hopefully, we’ll be fully loaded as the season winds down.”

 

That should bode well for junior running backs and defensive backs Dylan Tonkery and Dante Bonamico. Although Bonamico returned at full strength in the previous two weeks after battling ankle and Achilles injuries, Tonkery has been no-go for the last few games. He suffered a rib injury that Nicewarner said has finally healed.

 

“He’ll be back (for next Friday),” said Nicewarner.  “He started practice (Wednesday) and he said he didn’t have any pain. We’ll start running him on defense and before (the upcoming Fairmont Senior game) and see how it goes. We’re expecting him to be at or close to 100 percent.”

 

The only other injury the Tribe is dealing with is starting center and long snapper Josh Hastings. The senior injured his foot/ankle during the win over North Marion and was on crutches after the game. Nicewarner said he wasn’t sure of the status of his offensive lineman, but knows the time off should help.

 

“We’d like to have everyone available, but I won’t rush anyone back to quickly; even if I know that getting someone in there will benefit us,” said Nicewarner. “It’s not good to risk any injury with one of your kids and from a strategic standpoint you don’t want to practice and game plan to use a certain player and then not be able to use that player. That’s already happened this year and I’ve learned a lesson from it.”

 

When play resumes Oct. 31, the Indians will face a 5-2 Fairmont Senior squad. While BHS is fighting for home field advantage throughout the postseason, a win by the Polar Bears will move them up substantially in the WVSSAC Class AA rankings. Right now, Bridgeport is ranked first by the WVSSAC, while Fairmont Senior sits at the No. 13 spot.

 

BHS and Fairmont Senior met twice last year – including the postseason quarterfinals. Bridgeport won both games that featured plenty of hard hitting and a bevy of penalties.

 

If the Indians are able to find a win at East-West Stadium, they will close out the year in Kingwood the following Friday. The Tribe’s final game is against Preston and the Knights are also ranked.

 

It is highly possible Preston will need a win against the Indians to qualify for the postseason.  Although PHS is currently 5-2 and ranked No. 14 in the WVSSAC Class AAA standings, the Knights play at AAA No. 3 University this evening before hosting the team they are currently tied with in the rankings – Buckhannon-Upshur – next Friday.

 

Editor's Note: BHS Coach Josh Nicewarner walks with center Josh Hastings after he injured himself during last Friday's North Marion game. Outside of Hastings, Nicewarner thinks the rest of the squad should be a full strength following this week's bye week.