Bridgeport’s 2020 football schedule is in place, and it looks a whole lot different than this past year’s if it remains as is. Although it is tentative at the moment, the schedule is out and it shows the Tribe with a mix of Class AA and Class AAA foes.

 

The Indians had to change their schedule due to being moved up to Class AAA when the most recent reclassification took place. And with the new classification comes the need to play more Class AAA schools.

 

Has is it been easy?

 

“Working on the schedule with the new classification is still a work in progress because you have to schedule a few years ahead,” said BHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mark Jones. “This is one of the most difficult chores I’ve dealt with.

 

“Football scheduling is a much bigger entity to tackle scheduling wise because the majority of schools have their schedules in place or have to play certain teams due to conference by-laws that apply,” Jones said. “It hasn’t been easy, but progress has been made.”

 

Progress and changes. The schedule will feature six road games and four home games in 2020.

 

The schedule begins August 28 with a home game against Lewis County. That will be followed with September games at Morgantown (Sept. 4), home vs. Liberty Harrison (Sept. 11), at Fairmont Senior (Sept. 18), home vs. Robert C. Byrd (Sept. 25), at Parkersburg South (Oct. 2), at Preston (Oct. 9), home vs. Elkins (Oct. 16), at Buckhannon-Upshur (Oct. 23), and at Musselman (Oct.  30).  The Indians will have an open date on Nov. 6.

 

“We did the best we could by playing the hand we were dealt,” said Jones.

 

For anyone thinking it's easy, they simply don't understand the complexities involved. Not only do you have to find a willing opponent, they have to have an opening where you have an opening and have to first meet their conference obligations. That generally makes for rought sledding.

 

While the future schedules will likely change to add more ‘AAA’ opponents, the one noticeable difference in the slate is the loss of Keyser. The Indians have been playing them in a series for the last several years. Jones said that matchup was tough to end.

 

“It was a good series and it was a good series for both schools,” said Jones. “We usually played them later in the season and it always proved to be a good barometer for  the teams in regards to the postseason.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows BHS Coach John Cole, while Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mark Jones is shown below. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.