Early stand sets tone for Bridgeport defense

They had seven plays to try and get into the end zone, including five from inside the 6. The Indians stood tall, eventually recovering a fumble to end the scoring threat.

“That stand was big and really gave us the momentum for the rest of the first half,” said Elijah Drummond, who had three tackles, including one for a loss, on the drive.

Fairmont Senior’s previous drive was shut down by a sack from senior defensive tackle Matt Dillon, who ended up with the fumble recovery on the second drive.

“It was third down and we blitzed, Seth Friel had a great rush off the end to force the fumble and I just picked the ball up,” Dillon said.

“With the way Fairmont Senior throws the ball, you have to stay aware at all times but I think once they get down around the goal line, they don’t have as much room to work with. And we just tighten up.”

OTHER SIDE OF THE BRACKET: Class AA No. 3 Tolsia defeated No. 7 Mingo Central, 22-0, to advance to the Class AA title game for the first time since 2006.

It marked the second time this season the Rebels defeated the Miners, the first coming in Week 2 of the regular season, 44-41.

Friday’s win also marked the second consecutive shutout for Tolsia, which is outscoring its opponents, 104-6 in the postseason.

CLASS AAA: Sophomore quarterback Cross Wilkinson threw for 259 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 3 Wheeling Park past No. 2 Point Pleasant, 35-14.

The Patriots will play for the Class AAA state title for the first time since 1991 and the first time on their home field since the Super Six moved to Wheeling in 1994.

STAT UPDATE: With his 107 rushing yards against Fairmont Senior, Dylan Tonkery moved into second place on the school’s all-time rushing list for players since 1997.

Tonkery now has 3,253 rushing yards for his career. The only player with more was Corey Wagner, who had 3,583 between 2008 and 2010.

SELECT COMPANY: Next Friday, Bridgeport will attempt to become just the second team in Class AA history to capture three straight state championships.

Poca accomplished the feat from 2001-2003.

Just by advancing to Wheeling again, the Indians are already in a small group of schools to even make it to the AA title game three consecutive years.

In addition to Bridgeport and Poca, only three other schools have made it three years in a row. Mount Hope was the first to do it, in 1959-61, winning two straight titles before losing in the 1961 state championship game.

Between 1965 and 1983, Ceredo-Kenova did it on three different occasions. The first streak happened from 1965-67 with titles coming in 1965 and 1967.

C-K went to the AA title game three straight years between 1973-75, winning championships in 1974 and 1975.

Between 1980 and 1983, C-K played for the AA title four times, capturing championships in 1980 and 1981.

Bluefield joined the club with a four-year streak between 2002-05. The Beavers won just one title in that span in 2004.