It’s been a decade since Bridgeport High School alum Zach Nixon last wore the red and white on the football field as an official representative of the Indians. And he readily admits that he misses the game more than he ever thought he would.

 

“You don’t really know when that last game is going to be, but I know I’ve missed it ever since,” said Nixon, a 2004 BHS graduate. “Now, it looks like I may have another chance.”

 

Although he’s 28 now, Nixon didn’t suddenly find another year of eligibility. He hasn’t discovered a loophole in the WVSSAC’s requirements for getting onto the field. Rather, Nixon is taking a lead role in trying to put together a Bridgeport High School alumni team. The planned alumni team won’t be playing a flag football game or a pickup contest on a random field against BHS friends from the past. Instead, it’s much more detailed than that.

 

In fact, Nixon is looking to put together a team willing to play full contact football. And, here’s the capper. The game will be against alumni from Robert C. Byrd.

 

“I’m seriously trying to make this happen,” said Nixon. “I guess it started as a joke, but I’m taking it seriously and I’ve already got people wanting to take part. Right now, I just don’t have enough people taking part.”

 

As it turns out, Nixon was part of a group text from another BHS football alum Jason Bush. There was a Facebook link from Bush that was followed with the statement “Wouldn’t this be fun?”

 

“Basically, the link said we can strap it up one more time,” Nixon said.

 

So is “the link” a magical link? Actually, it’s not so much magical as it is legitimate. The link took Nixon to the Alumni Football USA page on Facebook. From there, another link takes you to the group’s Web site where you learn that what Nixon is hoping Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd can do isn’t groundbreaking.

 

According to the founder Bob Cazet’s somewhat intense video, he claims to have put 70,000 former players back on the field. More importantly, he also said that more than $1 million have been pumped back into the schools where the alumni games are being held.

 

Not only is it not new, it’s not new to North Central West Virginia. In fact, it’s not even new to Harrison County. According to the Web site, there are three games scheduled this year and all three are local. The site lists a Friday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. game between Cameron and North Marion; a 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 game between South Harrison and Doddridge County; and a 5 p.m. game on Sunday, Nov. 16 between Lincoln and Liberty.

 

Under the “tentative” list, there’s the game Nixon is hoping to see – Bridgeport vs. RCB.

 

“The really unique thing is that you don’t have to be a former football player. You only have to be an alumni of the school,” said Nixon.

 

You also have to pay the $75 fee to participate. For those that think that’s steep, consider that the money will cover the cost of all the equipment – pads, helmets, etc. – that you will need. It also includes a t-shirt and other incidentals. Alumni Football USA makes its money from ticket sales.

 

“(As of Wednesday) we have 13 guys from Bridgeport that have signed up to play with the furthest alumni member going back to 1994,” said Nixon. “Robert C. Byrd has more than 30 signed up so we need to get more players if we’re going to make this happen. I hope it happens, but it won’t happen this year. The earliest could be the spring of 2015, but that could change.”

 

While the equipment question has been answered, the time commitment question has not. Nixon said there will have to be a few practices and a team meeting to set things in motion. He said that the goal is to have fun and not get anyone hurt.

 

So who does Nixon think will win?

 

“I would have no idea, but it will be a blast. Honestly, win or lose, how could this not be fun? Plus, it’s going to raise money for both schools and let some of us guys who miss the game get a chance to play again,” said Nixon.

 

And what offense will the Indians play?

 

“We’ll be in the stick-I,” he laughed. “Seriously, every guy that’s played in the last 30 or 40 years could probably line up in the stick right now and know exactly what to do.”

 

If interested and want to register, visit the Alumni Football USA Web site by clicking HERE. You can also visit them on Facebook by clicking HERE.

 

Nixon, who has had conversations with those that run the program, would be glad to answer any questions he might be able to answer. You can reach him on his Facebook Page HERE or you can call him at 304-906-5697.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured above is Zach Nixon, while former All-State Garrett Stanley is shown putting pressure on an RCB quarterback several years ago and Connor Nelson does the same at this year's game in the bottom photo.