Shortly after Bridgeport’s 35-7 win two Fridays ago against North Marion, Coach Josh Nicewarner was asked about the play of junior quarterback Zack Spurlock. Considering the continued improvement and the fact Spurlock threw for two scores and ran for a touchdown, the fact that he was pleased wasn’t surprising.

 

At the end of his comments, though, Nicewarner said something that led anyone listening to know just how far Spurlock has come from last year, over the summer and through the course of the first eight games of the season. Nicewarner confirmed the obvious in that Spurlock is without doubt the team’s QB, but he let out that being the clear starter wasn’t always so clear cut.

 

“Early on, before the season (the coaches) were questioning whether he was the right guy to run the offense, and it’s one of those things that I’m glad I stuck with him. He is absolutely up to the task of running this football team,” said Nicewarner.

 

If it wasn’t clear early, it’s definitely clear now. Zack Spurlock has not only adapted to the role of quarterback in Bridgeport’s pistol offense, but he’s now thriving at it. And he’s doing so despite being under a pressure microscope that would have destroyed a youngster not mentally tough.

 

Being the quarterback is always a pressure-filled situation, even at Bridgeport where for years the QB’s main job was to execute the center-QB exchange and then hand the ball off to the right running back. Last year, all of that changed. It changed big time.

 

When Nicewarner opted to switch to the pistol formation in order to get maximum usage out of the athletic skill set of Anthony “A.C.” Caldera, it worked out better than maybe anyone could expect. Certainly, the fact the Indians ended the season as the Class AA champions is testament to that.

 

That, of course, put the pressure vice on Spurlock who got reps last year in one of several Bridgeport blowout victories. Not only was he going to be in line for the QB job, but he had to replace the guy who not only changed the cornerstone offense that had been in place for 40 years or longer, but he was replacing the guy who ended up running it in the end to near perfection.

 

“Knowing all of that put pressure on me. I was aware of it,” said Spurlock. “The one thing that helped was getting some reps in games last year and then the summer camp was really helpful. The more I’ve played, the easier it’s getting. The experience helps with everything, particularly the reads on whether to run or whether to hand the ball off. I’m pretty confident right now.”

 

It’s the confidence Spurlock speaks of that is the difference. From Nicewarner’s standpoint, it’s the biggest difference out of anything.

 

“We recognized his skills as an athlete from the get go, but the confidence wasn’t necessarily there. To a man on this team, from the players to the coaching staff, they’ll tell you they notice the difference is his confidence,” said Nicewarner. “Eight games in, even though he’s a little more quiet as a quarterback than I’d like, you had better be confident. Week one, I wasn’t so sure. In week eight, there isn’t a question in my mind.”

 

In week one, and even before, Nicewarner said there was the thought process of using Dante Bonamico in spot duty or perhaps fulltime duty at quarterback and it wasn’t just a passing thought. It was much more serious than that.

 

“I’d be lying if I told you that I never thought Dante wouldn’t take over at some point, but I also knew that Dante was vital at so many positions that I felt moving him to quarterback would hurt us elsewhere,” said Nicewarner. “Deep down, I knew a lot of how we did this year was going to depend on Spurlock’s development.”

 

So far, so good. The Indians are 7-1 and are ranked No. 1 in the ultra-important WVSSAC Class AA rankings. The Tribe is also ranked in the top spot of both of the human polls – the MetroNews.com and the Charleston Daily Mail polls.

 

“Part of the reason it was easier to stick with Zack whenever I had doubts early was that I had the benefit of watching game film last year and knowing that we didn’t do everything right with the pistol last year early on even though we were winning,” said Nicewarner. “There’s a learning curve and we’ve reached the point now where he has a pretty solid understanding not only of the offense, but what I expect of him. I think he reached that point around the Elkins game.”

 

The really positive note is that Spurlock hasn’t had the benefit of learning on the job with a fully loaded set of weapons. The Indians have spent the bulk of the season missing Dante Bonamico and Dylan Tonkery – once at the same – due to injuries. As good as he’s looked recently, he may look even better when opposing defenses have more to worry about.

 

“Playing without Dante and Dylan a lot wasn’t expected, but it caused me to have to pick things up and then you have a guy like Elijah (Drummond) who stepped in and played well,” said Spurlock. “I really think once everyone is healthy we’ll have a pretty good rotation. That’s what we want because everyone worked hard and you don’t want someone that’s worked hard to miss games because they’re hurt.”

 

And Nicewarner said hard work in the offseason is just as critical in his quarterback’s and team’s success as the development of Spurlock’s confidence during the regular season.

 

“As soon as basketball was over he was in the weight room and you could tell he wanted the job,” said Nicewarner. “He was willing to do what he needed to do to get the chance. Coaches remember that and sometimes it helps shape a decision. Who knows, it may have helped me decide to keep him in a play or a series longer early in the year when I may have thought to go in a different direction and look where that’s got us.”

 

It’s got the Indians back at the top of the Class AA rankings. With two games left starting Friday at Fairmont Senior and the following Friday at Preston, the Indians control their own destiny for home field and yet another postseason run.

 

Wherever they end up, they have a lot of reasons for it. Count the development and confidence of Zack Spurlock as a big a reason as any.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.