Since everyone is offended about everything, allow me to preface what you are about to read with a disclaimer. I say this since there is actually nothing to be offended by despite the fact someone will find something.

 

I digress.

 

First, and most important, this is not a blog that lessens or enhances past accomplishments of Bridgeport High School football teams. Second, it is not a statement on the status of past, current, or future opponents of Bridgeport.

 

In another piece of critical information, please know the research done for this story was managed by my friend and colleague Chris Johnson who knows a thing or two about statistics. And what the statistics show is that what the Indians football team is doing this year is, well, spectacular.

 

The defense has been so good that it sometimes overshadows the offense. The offense has been so good that it sometimes overshadows the defense.

 

Let me begin with the offense and a few numbers that are just astounding.

 

Through eight games, Bridgeport has had 74 drives offensively. Of those drives, 65 of them have ended with touchdowns.

 

The rest? There were two punts. There have been three turnovers. There have been four failed fourth down conversions, although none of the totals listed include victory formations. The team, which always has a good kicker and has a monster leg on the squad this year, has not attempted a field goal.

 

Defensively, everyone knows that the team has had five shutouts in eight games. Even more impressive is that the team has not given up a point in the first half this season. The first team defense has given up 21 points total, all against Parkersburg South.

 

Okay, let’s get down to some bullet point numbers. These are, verbatim, what Chris Johnson supplied to me. The numbers are prior to this past Friday’s games involving other teams, where other teams are mentioned like Spring Mills.

That is what we have team wise. Individually, here are a few more numbers that pop up.

Here are a few individual defensive numbers.

Here are two more things to chew on from Chris. They are:

 

Thus far this team has allowed the fewest points through eight games since the 1994 team allowed 31 through eight.

 

Of the top 10 scoring teams in the modern era (dating back to 1997), which includes state title teams in 2000, 2013, 2014,2015 and 2019 ... through eight games, this year’s team has scored more, 455 points, than any of those teams. The next best among the top 10 scoring teams through eight games is 371 by the 2009 team.

 

“A lot of people are talking about whether this might be the best team ever. When you have all the non-losing streak teams and all the playoff streak teams, obviously, there is a lot of competition,” said Johnson. “They could be, but the year isn’t over, and they have what everyone knows is the biggest game of the regular season coming up against Fairmont Senior.

 

“Regardless of the outcome against Fairmont, whether this team can be considered among the best ever will depend on how far they make it,” Johnson continued. “In the end, success at Bridgeport is not measured in regular season results. It is still measured in state championships.”

 

What Johnson will say about this team is that since he’s been following the program going back to 2004, it is the deepest team he has ever seen.

 

“When those second teamers and even third teamers come in, there is not a lot of drop off when you look at how many points and how much yardage they’ve allowed,” said Johnson. “Even a few of the touchdowns they have given up against the other team’s first string have multiple fourth down conversions to keep drives going.”

 

The depth, as noted by how well the backups are playing, includes a first unit that is good across the board.

 

“When you go back to the team that won three in a row, most people would say that Dante Bonamico or Dylan Tonkery were the best players. In 2019, most people could probably have said Carson Winkie,” said Johnson. “I have no idea who the best player is on this team. There are 10 guys you can consider for it.”

 

Those 10 guys, those talented players deep on the roster, those individuals who have helped produce those statistics above, will need to be pulling in the same direction this Friday. The Polar Bears, pardon the pun, are a different animal when it comes to the 2024 schedule of the Tribe. I am certain Fairmont Senior would say the same about the Indians.

 

Brace yourself for one of the biggest games in recent memory. And if you are an Indian fan, hope the team walks away 9-0 no matter how it impacts the above statistics. Regardless of Bridgeport’s numbers, or even what I am certain are lofty statistics for FSHS, Friday night at East-West Stadium should be a game for the ages.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Alex Moses going for some yardage, while the second image shows the BHS defense making a stand. In the third photo, lineman Wes Brown is shown doing what he does best - controlling the trenches and that photo is followed by Donovan Williams closing in on a Parksburg South player. In the fifth photo, the versatile Jack Spatafore looks to get to the end zone.  Photo below has Josh Love (14) carrying the ball for a gain as Tim Jeffress (24) looks on. Photos courtesy of Tom Mellott.