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Rohrig Wins Player of Year as BHS Sweeps Major Honors at 40th Annual Frank Loria Awards Banquet

By Chris Johnson on March 27, 2023 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

It was a clean sweep for the Bridgeport High School football team during the 40th annual Frank Loria Awards Banquet Monday at the Bridgeport Conference Center
 
The Loria Award for Most Outstanding Football Player of the Year went to Zach Rohrig, the Loria Lineman of the Year went to Kamar Summers, the Frank Loria Coach of the Year award was given to Tyler Phares and the Frank Loria Academic Achievement Award went to Aidan Sparks.
 
Rohrig, had a breakout junior season for the Indians, where he earned Class AAA first-team All-State honors after finishing with 1,583 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. He also excelled on defense where he had 56 tackles, two TFLs and three interceptions as a defensive back.
 
"I wasn't expecting this at all," Rohrig said. "For me to receive this is amazing. To honor Frank Loria, it says my name on it, it's not me, it's my teammates. 
 
Rohrig was also pleased to share the spotlight with the three other major award winners being from BHS.
 
"It means a lot," he said. "With Aidan, academically, him winning that is special. Coach Phares, he won it last year too. And finishing off with Kamar. I mean, it's Kamar, he led the way for my all my success."
 
Summers was not only a first-team All-State selection but was also named the Stydahar Award winner, given annually by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association to the state’s top interior lineman. He paved the way for a BHS rushing attack that averaged 368.2 yards per game and on defense had 29 tackles, five for a loss, and three sacks. Summers was not present at the banquet.
 
Phares, also won the Frank Loria Coach of the Year honor in 2022, directed the Indians to a 9-3 record in 2023 and a spot in the Class AAA quarterfinals. In two seasons as head coach for the Tribe, Phares now has a 21-4 overall record.
 
"It's a testament to our kids," Phares said. "They are hard-working kids. They do what they are asked. They go above and beyond all the time not only on the athletic field but in the classroom. I'm really proud of them."
 
Sparks, who was an honorable mention selection on the All-State team, was key in the Indians’ single-wing attack with his blocking from his tight end sport and on defense as an end where he had 40 tackles, including team-high totals of 11 tackles for a loss and four sacks. 
 
Sparks has a 3.85 grade point average and has already visited Harvard.
 
"I was definitely surprised," Sparks said. "There was somebody up there with a 4.066 GPA and I was like, 'Whoa.' But hey, I'll take it. 
 
Also recognized at the banquet were the first-team all-county football selections, which are listed below by school:
 
Bridgeport –Rohrig (running back), Taylor Thomas (kicker), Phil Reed (linebacker), Charlie Brazier (safety), Summers (offensive line), Wes Brown Jr. (defensive line), Beau Ford (defensive line), Sparks (defensive line), Cam Hess (linebacker), Ty Martin (cornerback), Ryan Hall (defensive utility).
 
Lincoln – Antwan Hilliard (running back), Nick Kellar (offensive utility), Kobi O’Dell (offensive line), Levi Moore (linebacker), Brayden Edgell (cornerback).
 
Robert C. Byrd – Nick George (quarterback), Bryce Byrd (wide receiver), Logan McCartney (offensive line), Wyatt Minor (offensive line), Brayden Thomason (punter).
 
South Harrison – Luke Given (offensive line), Noah Burnside (offensive utility), Aiden Moreno (offensive utility), Landon Lafferty (defensive utility).
 
Liberty – Jensen Dodd (wide receiver), Nick Todd (defensive lineman), Jace Bartley (safety).
 
Legendary Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer was the Guest Speaker at the banquet.
 
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Rohrig after being presented the Loria Award alongside former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and members of the Loria family. The bottom photo features some of the BHS players at the banquet. Clockwise from top left: Taylor Thomas, Ty Martin, Wes Brown, Beau Ford, Aidan Sparks, Ryan Hall, Cam Hess, Phil Reed and Charlie Brazier. 

 



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