Bridgeport’s football team will be going into Friday’s game against Robert C. Byrd down two players and at least one player for the foreseeable future. Family members of seniors Chapin Murphy and Noah Drummond confirmed that both players suffered injuries in Friday’s setback to Fairmont Senior that will not have them competing Friday.

 

Indians Coach John Cole also said neither player will be competing this week.

 

The more serious of the two injuries, as far as games to be missed, is to Murphy.

 

He broke the bone in his right hand down from his middle finger. It is a complete lateral break.

 

 Drummond dislocated his shoulder late in the fourth quarter against the Bears. Although he only missed one play after that, he won’t be dressed Friday and hopes to return the following week against Buckhannon-Upshur. However, that status isn’t a certainty at this time, Cole said.

 

Murphy’s loss will be at least several weeks. Worst case scenario would be into the postseason if the Indians get there, said Cole of his talented defensive end who was also starting to become more of a fixture in the offensive backfield.

 

“It’s a big loss. He’s a two-and-a-half year starter and getting to the point where he could play both on offense and defense for most of the game,” said Cole of Murphy, who also finished the game out despite the injury. “Now, someone else will have to fill in because it could be, from what I’ve been told, three to eight weeks. They’ll x-ray it every few weeks to see how it’s healing and we hope it’s healing well.”

 

Who that will be will be determined before Friday’s kickoff at RCB, but not too much earlier.

 

Cole said earlier this week they started defense yesterday and will conclude today and hope to have an idea by the end of practice and, if not, by tomorrow.

 

As for Drummond, he handles the crucial center’s position where snaps back to the quarterback in the Tribe’s pistol formation is among the most critical aspects of making the offense work.

 

A two-year starter, Drummond’s absence will likely be felt as it was during the one snap he missed Friday that led to a 26-yard loss.

 

“He’s been pretty good and he’s just so important to what we do. Our centers in the pistol since we put it in place know exactly how important it is,” said Cole. “I can assure you it’s tougher to snap like that as opposed to having a quarterback under center. When you have that responsibility and usually a nose tackle lined up on you it’s a stressful job. For the most part, Noah has handled that well.”

 

Cole said they’ll be working with backups and potentially shuffling players that are already starters along the offensive line to fill in for Drummond.

 

How he responds to treatment and a new brace that needs to be used will be determining factors if he gets to go the following week against Buckhannon.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Murphy putting pressure on the Fairmont quarterback, while the second photo shows Noah Drummond coming off the field after his shoulder injury late Friday. Bottom photo shows Murphy after his cast was set and he learned that he would not need surgery, but would have to let time heal his broken hand.