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Total Domination???

First congrats to both teams that played yesterday, and I'm certainly not taking anything from Fort Hill. 4 in a row TWICE is remarkable. But the last four years it's been a battle for teams in the 1A West. Now my question is has any region in any class dominated the finals the way the teams from the 1A West have done the last four years? I don't think that two teams from the same region have played for a title four years in a row until now. Maybe Todd, or anyone else can confirm this.

Why should Fort Hill play Bridgeport?

Because they can!

Two year deal - Fort Hill vs. Bridgeport (2025 & 2026). This is a Week 5 game that will replace Briar Woods (VA). The first year will be at Wayne Jamison Stadium in Bridgeport on October 3. In 2026 the game will be at Greenway Avenue Stadium in Cumberland.

Bridgeport is currently undefeated with a record of 12-0 in West Virginia Class AAA and will be playing Fairmont Senior in the state semifinal this Saturday (Dec 7). This season, the Indians have outscored all opponents 716-98, have posted six shut outs and have scored 70+ points in three different games.

Bridgeport currently has 814 students (girls & boys) grades 9-12 and is a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Cumberland.

Bridgeport attended the Queen City Quad Classic the past two years and runs an extremely unique offense without a designated quarterback. Often referred to an unbalanced single wing, it's run to clockwork perfection by Head Coach Tyler Phares, who is now in his fourth season of coaching at the school.

After organizing the Queen City Quad for the past 15 years, one of the greatest quotes I ever heard was this past August. Before the four team scrimmage begins I always go around each team's bench to see who wants to put a green jersey on their quarterback so he doesn't get tackled. Basically, it's one hand touch football for the signal caller. It's a protection from injury many coaches want in a scrimmage. When I asked Bridgeport if they wanted their quarterback to have a green jersey, Coach Phares yelled out, "C'mon Todd! You know we don't use a quarterback!". OK, so I have never heard that one before. If you think the wing-T offense Fort Hill incorporates is different, you haven't seen anything yet until October 3.

Fort Hill and Bridgeport share some similarities. Both have won 10 state championships and are currently seeking their 11th in 2024. Bridgeport began playing football in 1921.

The last time Bridgeport had a losing season was over 50 years ago.

FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME
The last time Bridgeport played an out-of-state opponent was in 2008.

** NOTE - The timing of this announcement was probably better suited for after the state championship game in Annapolis. But other social media outlets are now reporting it and I wanted the info to come from a FH source. Thanks and Go Big Red!

469625490_1982489935604458_7043030552763332632_n.jpg

Winning four state titles in a row

Even the king Dunbar found out today it isn't so easy. The 8-6 loss to Patuxent ended a 50 game win streak and their run for the state record books to win four state titles in a row. The Poets had not lost a single game in four seasons.

There are only two MPSSAA teams that have won four straight state titles. Urbana (1998-2001) and Fort Hill (2013-2016).
Tomorrow FH goes for that number four again for a second time. I don't care if it's Class 1A or Class 1A/2A. It's not as easy as one thinks.

WATCH PLAYOFFS

MD PLAYOFFS FINALS

NFHS PAID ONLY (SMH)


Thursday, December 5

7:00 pm - 3 Mergenthaler Vo-Tech vs. 4 North Point

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/mpssaa/gam8626fa163e
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Friday, December 6

4:00 pm - 1 Patuxent vs. 3 Paul Laurence Dunbar

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/mpssaa/gamf71ca656bd

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7:30 pm - 1 Quince Orchard vs. 3 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr.

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/mpssaa/gam9b3bf0e05f
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Saturday, December 7

12:00 pm - 7 Northern-G vs. 8 Fort Hill

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/mpssaa/gam2398c63515

RADIO
(FH) MAGIC 100.5Cumberland https://player.amperwave.net/2599
(FH) WTBO Cumberland https://listen.streamon.fm/wtboam

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3:30 pm - 1 Stephen Decatur vs. 3 Huntingtown

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/mpssaa/gam3ab515c6f1

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7:00 pm - 1 Linganore vs. 2 Arundel


www.nfhsnetwork.com

2024 MPSSAA 3A Football Championship Arundel vs Linganore - 12/07/2024 | Live & On Demand

Watch high school sports and events nationwide, live and on demand, via the NFHS Network. Stream regular season and playoffs online from anywhere.
www.nfhsnetwork.com
www.nfhsnetwork.com

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WV PLAYOFFS SEMI-FINALS


#5
Huntington
(11-1)
#1
Martinsburg
(11-1)
Sat 1:30 Login to view embedded media Martinsburg WRNR https://streaming.radio.co/sd2c75a914/listen
Watch Live: https://www.youtube.com/@WRNRTV/streams
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Sat.
#6
Hurricane
(9-3)
#2
Spring Mills
(11-1)
Sat 1:30 Login to view embedded media
https://www.youtube.com/@hometeamsportstv/streams
----------------------------------------

Sat.
#4
Herbert Hoover
(12-0)
#1
Princeton
(12-0)
LINK TBA

----------------------------------------
Fri.
#3
Bridgeport
(12-0)
#2
Fairmont Senior
(11-1)

Login to view embedded media

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Sat.
#4
Williamstown
(10-2)
#1
Frankfort
(12-0)

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Fri.
#3
Independence
(8-3)
#2
Roane County
(12-0)


https://www.youtube.com/@WVRC1047FM/streams
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Fri.
#4
Cameron
(11-1)
#1
Tug Valley
(12-0)

Login to view embedded media -----------------------------------

Fri.
#3
Wahama
(12-0)
#2
Tucker County
(12-0)

Login to view embedded media -----------------------------------





TUG VALLEY


https://www.youtube.com/@greenbriervalleychannel7323/streams

Martinsburg
Martinsburg WRNR https://streaming.radio.co/sd2c75a914/listen
Watch Live: https://www.youtube.com/@WRNRTV/streams






Fairmont Senior


Fairmont Sr https://www.youtube.com/@fairmontseniorpolarbearfoo1391/streams
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Bridgeport

Bridgeport https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wv/bridgeport/organization/13833/bridgeport-high-school/schedule?date=2024-11-24T05:00:00.000Z&range=Week&s=U2NoZWR1bGVFbnRyeVB1YmxpY1N1bW1hcnk2NzQzNjgzZmJmNmEwZTEzNDkwOGVmNjA=
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Oak Hill
Herbert Hoover

Oak Hill https://www.youtube.com/@newrivernetwork5468
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Roane County

https://www.youtube.com/@WVRC1047FM/streams
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Williamstown

Williamstown https://streamdb8web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WRZZ
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WAHAMA AT TUCKER COUNTY
Tucker County

Tucker Co
https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/1676585
Wahama
https://www.facebook.com/931TheWolfRadio
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Some whacky FH defensive numbers

Some really off-the-chart numbers have started to pop up through this playoff run. Considering FH did not give up a single first down in the second half of the last two games I decided to take a look because it seemed like this was happening every game since they last lost to Briar Woods on October 4.

In the last two games versus Cambridge-SD and Perryville, the Fort Hill defense has given up only 16 yards rushing and 10 first downs in total (none in the second half).

IN THE LAST 8 GAMES
So what exactly has the Fort Hill defense done since they last lost a game to Briar Woods on October 4?

They have given up: 49 first downs (only 6.1 per game).
They have given up: 194 yards rushing

In comparison...
The FH offense has: 128 first downs
The FH offense has: 2,628 yards rushing

That's some crazy stats - in 8 games FH has only given up 194 yards rushing. That is 24 yards a game.

If you would have told me

Fort Hill has a 1st and goal at the 2 with the game on the line I would have told you thIs one was over and FH puts the nail in the coffin . But Perryville calls a time out and regroups to make a stand. They crushed this young OL on 4 snaps while jumping the snap count to extend their chances. Credit Perryville.

It was eerily similar to the 2011 semifinal against the same team when FH had a 1st and goal at the 4 and didn't get it in. The Sentinels lost FYI.

Defense won this game. FH hasn't given up a second half first down in 2 straight big road games.

Give Perryville some credit. They could ball and had players. Trust me when I say Perryville will be a team to reckon with next year. They were every bit as young as FH.
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