Tribe to Open Playoffs against Nearly Run-Exclusive PikeView Squad Featuring Pair of 1,000-Yard Rushers
By Jeff Toquinto on November 14, 2025
Bridgeport’s first step in defending its Class AAA state football championship begins Saturday at Wayne Jamison Field.
The Indians, the No. 1 seed, will face PikeView, the No. 16 seed, in the first round of the playoffs. Kickoff for the contest is set for 1 p.m.
Saturday’s matchup is the first ever between the two schools.
The game will be broadcast live on the Bridgeport Indians Radio Network (103.3 FM WKMZ) and can also be accessed on the Bridgeport Sports Radio app as well as the official website for Bridgeport athletics by clicking HERE.
The “Voice of the Indians” Travis Jones will once again be on play-by-play with color analysis from Chris George and sideline reports from Brent Kimble.
There will be no streaming service coverage of this ball game.
BHS will bring what it always does to the game when looking to score – its running game. The Panthers will be looking to do the same as they will arrive in Harrison County with a 7-3 record and a bevy of talented rushers in PHS’s wing-T attack. Both teams rarely put the ball in the air, but both are capable.
For those wondering just how much the Panthers run, consider this. PHS has fewer passing yards this year than the Indians, who have 303 yards on the season, or roughly 30 yards per game through the air. The Indians’ total is nearly double, in fact, as PikeView has 157 yards passing.
“They can mix in the passing game as well,” said BHS Coach Tyler Phares during the weekly Tyler Phares show on the Bridgeport Indians Radio Network with Travis Jones. “They’re a hard-nosed team. They’re a team that likes to run the football and establish the run. They’re going to play physical, all their kids. They’re senior heavy … and they’ve got two backs that have run for 1,000 yards, but the mix in a bunch of backs.”
The two main weapons are two senior backs that have crossed the 1,000-yard mark. Running back Peyton Mounts, 6’0 and 177 pounds, and fullback Brayon Mullins at 5’9 and 189 pounds. The team’s quarterback, who will look to get out on the edge in the attack, is 5’10, 164-pound junior Braden Huggins.
“They’re going to try and run the ball and keep the clock moving and try move the chains,” said Phares. “It’s going to be a challenge for our kids.”
PikeView is in the playoffs just two years after going 0-10. Coach Jack Turner took over the program and has it back on track.
Phares has had the program on track since he took over. He brings a 57-6 overall record into the postseason as he nears the end of his fifth season.
Like PikeView, the Indians will look to establish the ground game, and they have the horses in the backfield and along the line to do it.
Doing the heavy lifting in recent weeks is junior back Gavin Williams who has 1,752 yards on 101 carries for an average of 17.3 yards per carry. He also has 24 rushing touchdowns on the year.
Gabe Martin, who is still out with an injury, has 722 yards in seven games on 56 carries for an average of 12.9 yards per rush. Since his absence, Eli Knight (55 carries for 432 yards and 7.9 ypc), and Kasen Baun (38 carries for 381 yards and 10 ypc) have become the next leading rushers.
The Indians’ passing attack is rarely used but is often deadly when it is utilized. Graham Vincent is the catalyst with a showing of 8-for-10 passing with 236 yards and four touchdowns. Sean Veltri is the top target with just four receptions, but all four have been for touchdowns covering 182 yards.
John Knight leads the talented BHS defense with 70 tackles on the year. Bryson Lowther continues to cause havoc with 60 tackles, including an impressive 18.5 for loss and an equally impressive eight sacks.
If the Indians win, they will play the winner of Chapmanville and Greenbrier East. Assuming BHS wins, CHS or GEHS will determine the day and time of the quarterfinal round game. That will be announced Sunday following meetings at the Parkersburg office of the WVSSAC.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Eli Knight making a tackle, while Gavin Williams breaks off a run in the second photo. Both photos by Tom Mellott.
