Perhaps there’s some good luck to it. And perhaps relying on others having some bad luck doesn’t hurt either.

 

But, when you get right down to it the winners of the 2017 Carder Motors Playoff Payoff Football Pick’em competition, did their homework on games this year. Because of that, a trio that consisted of two Bridgeport residents and one from out of state walked away with split roughly $1000 in prizes.

 

Bridgeport’s Kevin Carbacio and Bill Montgomery finished in first and third place, respectively, while the runner-up this year was Jason Hartman of Oakland, MD. This marks Carbacio’s second time as winner as he ties Hugh Gainer as the contest’s only two-time winners in the six-year history of the event.

 

Hartman actually won the competition in 2016. For Montgomery, this marks the first time he’s finished among the top three.

 

So how does Carbacio do it?

 

“This was my best year by far,” said Carbacio, who has lived in Bridgeport for the last 14 years. “For me it’s about strengths and weaknesses, some which you can easily find and some that have to do a little research on.”

 

That research, he said, comes in particularly handy when doing high school games. Each week, Harrison County, Big 10, Doddridge County and occasionally some big games across the state are included.

 

“The high school part is the part I like the most because it’s the one I know the least about. That’s where I do research and check common opponents, particularly when they’re games with schools from out of the area,” said Carbacio. “The one part I’m not a fan of are the small college games that are included.”

 

While Carbacio walked away with a $500 gift certificate from the Meadowbrook Mall, he said he took just as much pleasure for being able to do something else each week. And that was harass a fellow competitor.

 

“Whenever I beat JT Hilton, who plays each week, really knows high school football so if I get him there I really let him know about it. What really makes me happy is when his wife beats him, which she did a lot this year, and I got on him about that as well,” said Carbacio.

Hartman probably doesn’t have as many people he knows competing. As mentioned, he’s a resident of Oakland, MD, and is originally from Keyser.

 

“I found your Web site because I’m a Keyser Golden Tornado fan and was looking up articles about the Bridgeport football team,” said Hartman. “I discovered the football contest and enjoy playing it because it includes high school and college games as well as pro games.”

 

Like Carbacio, he has a method to his picking. One of which is something most involved do.

 

“I watch a lot of games and look up scores to help me make my picks. If I’m unsure about a game, I usually take the home team,” said Hartman.

 

As for Montgomery, he’s one of the most familiar names in Harrison County – and for good reason. He moved to Bridgeport in 1973 after he started his teaching career at the old Bridgeport Junior High School on Newton Street in 1968.

 

Montgomery was there for six years before going to Bridgeport High School in 1973-74 as the assistant principal and athletic director. In 1979, the classroom called again and he taught at Roosevelt-Wilson High School and also spent a year as a home-bound instructor. After that, he headed to Gore where he was both an assistant principal and principal.

 

However, Montgomery’s love of the classroom brought him back to BHS to teach in 1998. He retired from the education arena in 2002. During his time on the job and since, he’s maintained his love of sports, including competing in the Playoff Payoff.

 

“I’ve played every year. It something to keep your interest. Honestly, if I wasn’t playing in that I probably wouldn’t pay a whole lot of attention to anything outside of WVU or Bridgeport so it keeps me busy,” said Montgomery. “It’s been a lot of fun.”

 

Montgomery isn’t the only member of the family playing. His daughter Lenora “Nora” Montgomery is a regular competitor who often fares well. And it’s not the only member of his social circle playing.

 

“Hugh Gainer, Tom and Joanne Brown and I all play,” said Montgomery. “We talk about it a lot with each other and it sure keeps some lively conversation. I really enjoy it and know they do as well.”

 

Connect-Bridgeport would like to thank Carder Motors for its continued sponsorship of the event. Also for the sponsors of the championship prizes, as well as the weekly prize suppliers that includes Buffalo Wild Wings and Almost Heaven Desserts. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured, from left, is Bill Montgomery; Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Michelle Duez, and Kevin Carbacio.