FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Bridgeport rushed for 417 yards and controlled both lines of scrimmage en route to a 56-28 win at Fairmont Senior in a matchup of undefeated Class AAA state championship contenders.
The Indians (9-0) scored 35 unanswered points that were sandwiched around a pair of Fairmont Senior touchdowns in the first half to build a 35-14 lead at intermission. The Bridgeport defense collected a pair of turnovers and limited a Polar Bear offense that entered the game averaging 51 points per contest.
"Our guys hammered down for the past few weeks. We really focused on their passing game," said Bridgeport head coach Tyler Phares. "That was a big emphasis obviously coming into this game. Coach [Casey] Stewart, Coach [Justin] Carey, Coach [Sean] Snider, Coach [Chase] Moore, really did a great job. I am very proud of our kids and their execution."
Josh Love found the end zone five times and Alex Moses scored two rushing touchdowns as both backs surpassed the 150-yard mark on the ground.
"That's the heart and soul of our team, the offensive line. They why we rep what we do from January on. That's the strength of our team and I thought they came out tonight and played as good of football as they had all year. Hopefully we can continue to get better.
"Josh Love, Alex Moses, Jack Spatafore, Timmy Jeffress, they ran the ball as hard as we expect them to. That's a staple of the program. Those kids exceeded it tonight."
Leading 49-21 in the fourth quarter, the Indians collected their second turnover of the game when senior defensive lineman Wes Brown Jr. intercepted a pass at the line of scrimmage. The Indians capitalized on the short field for their eighth touchdown of the game.
"That was great, man. I am super-proud of that young man. The defensive line did an excellent job and [Brown] was a big part of that."
In addition to their seven rushing touchdowns, Bridgeport's first points of the game came courtesy of a Jack Spatafore 77-yard touchdown pass to Tim Jeffress.
The Indians and the Polar Bears (8-1) could square off a second time in the latter stages of the postseason.
"That's four weeks from now. They'll make adjustments if we see them. We'll make adjustments. It will be a tough football game. You never know. That's why I didn't want to get too high or too low on this game because the important one will be in four weeks."
Brody Whitehair completed a pair of touchdown passes to Cannon Dinger for the Polar Bears. Dinger added a 70-yard touchdown reception from Logan Canfield. Brock Martin opened the scoring for FSHS on a 31-yard touchdown reception from Whitehair in the first quarter.