They are a group of friends bound in many ways by a trio of “Fs.” And if you know any in the group, some I do not even know, I am betting you know it has nothing to do with anyone’s grades.

 

The “Fs” are football, friendship, and faith. Football helped bring the group together and has been there since their youngest days either as a participant or supporter.

 

Friendship, well, they have leaned on it for some time as well. Through grade school, middle school, high school, college and right up to this very minute the group of Dalton Elliott, Elijah Drummond, Hanna Stolzenfels, Dylan Tonkery, Dante Bonamico, Noah Drummond, Zack Spurlock, Addy O’Rourke, and a host of others that aren’t mentioned here have bonded either here in Bridgeport or at some point in the future.

 

Their friendships are ironclad.

 

As for faith, what they already knew was in them, they found out how much it meant to their collective unit when faith was needed most.

 

It was a week ago today. To be exact, it was around 4:30 p.m. on July 18 in Marion County on the Tygart River when an afternoon of fun went horribly wrong.

 

According to reports by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elliott was among a group swimming when he was struck by a boat, which left the scene. The injuries resulting from the incident were serious.

 

Elliott was helped to shore, the DNR reported, and it was by some of those friends listed above. Stolzenfels was among those with Elliott when they were able to get him out of the water and everyone knew the situation was serious as they waited for medical help to arrive.

 

During the interim, Stolzenfels said Dalton Elliott, a 2016 graduate of Bridgeport High School, did something that calmed everyone. He did something that provided a bit of peace in a situation where it was difficult to find.

 

“He asked everyone to pray, ‘Let’s just pray’ he said. When he said that, I was taken aback. Something so horrible had taken place and he was wanting to talk to God and pray,” said Stolzenfels. “… You don’t see people like him with the way society is today, and we need people like him. He’s so confident in his faith, especially to stand on it at that very moment.”

 

Drummond, who doubles as Stolzenfels’ fiancé, also recalled the words.

 

“You immediately thought about what he just said. When you look back now, you realize in that moment how impressive it was. It told me about his faith and how he believes everything happens for a reason,” said Drummond. “We’ve talked about it and I know his faith is still there.”

 

The last media report had Elliott listed in serious, but stable condition, at Ruby Memorial Hospital. His friends say he is in good spirits. In fact, Bonamico is back to doing what he does best – trying to insult and get under his friend’s skin. After all, that is what friends do.

 

“Every time we talk, and we’re staying in touch often as are a bunch of his friends, I try to keep his mind off what he’s been through,” said Bonamico. “The best way to do that is to mess with him as much as possible. The good part is that he’s giving it right back, which is what you want because you don’t want his mind in the wrong place. If anyone deserves things to be normal and go right for them, it’s Dalton.”

 

And that is what the three friends who I talked to for this piece, all of whom were there last week, wanted to get out. They want the world to know Dalton Elliott is one of the good guys.

 

“He’s everything you want in a friend, and I look forward to talking to him as he deals with this. I just got off the phone on face time with him,” said Drummond “If just talking to him helps, it’s the least I can do for a person who would do anything for anyone. I love all my friends, but I’m old enough now to know that not all your friends will do anything for you. Dalton is a friend that will do anything. He’s always been that guy.”

 

Bonamico agreed.

 

“There’s no doubt he will do anything for you. You need something, he’s the first person there to help out,” said Bonamico in a matter of fact tone. “Always has been that way with Dalton.”

 

It was like that when the group laced up the cleats for football. The group was part of quite a run of football at Bridgeport High School with Elliott, now 22-years-old, starting as a lineman on the 2015 state championship football team that is among the best groups ever to wear the red and white.

 

“We’ve all been friends since youth football. He was always an awesome teammate,” said Drummond. “The same mentality off the field he carried on the field. He was there to help. It would be hard not to like him in any setting.”

 

Stolzenfels agreed.

 

“He is just one of the nicest people. I feel like everyone loves him,” she said.

 

Apparently, there is something to that. Stolzenfels set up a GoFundMe Account to help with medical costs. On the page, she explained the situation, set a goal of $10,000 due what could be a long road to recovery, and sat back before checking in on it a few hours later.

 

“It was up for six hours and exceeded the goal,” said Stolzenfels. “That speaks volumes for Dalton and the impact he has on his friends and this community. I was blown away in a good way because we’re not the only ones who know how special he is.”

 

Stolzenfels then talked a second about a conversation she had this week with Elliott as he battles to get better. She said it summed him up perfectly

 

“I just got off the phone with him,” she said earlier this past week. “He’s asking how everyone else is doing and how they’re coping. Dalton is worried about the impact his injury is having on others. To be so caring and so selfless is a result of who he is. It’s a result of his faith.”

 

While Stolzenfels and others would love to see the total of financial assistance go higher (you can visit his page and donate HERE), she said she believes Dalton is only interested in getting one thing from those who know him, or maybe even those who don’t.

 

“Getting prayers would be significantly important to him,” she said.

 

Bonamico said Stolzenfels is correct.

 

“The first day after the accident I texted him and asked him if I could bring him food or anything he needed.  All he wanted was prayers for him,” said Bonamico. “That’s a request from someone who needs help, but is always looking to help others, that I know I can fulfill. Trust me, Dalton is worth saying a prayer for.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows, from left, Dante Bonamico, Dalton Elliott and Jason Keefover sporting tropical gear, while second photo, from left, is of Elliott, Bonamico, Keefover and Dylan Tonkery after the 2015 state title win. In the third photo is Elliott's senior football photo. After that, the fourth photo shows, from left, Dylan Tonkery, Eli Drummond, Zach Spurlock, Bonamico and Elliott having a little fun in the eveing. In the fifth picutre, from left, Tonkery, Bonamico and Elliott get into the holiday spirit. Below, Elliott is on the far left and is followed by Spurlock, Bonamico, Jason Sander, Keefover, Hunter Haddix and Drummond. Photos courtesy of Eli Drummond and Dante Bonamico.