DECEMBER 3, 2015
Wheeling, W. Va. — When #1 Bridgeport ( 12-0-1 ) and #3 Tolsia ( 12-1 ) meet for the WVSSAC Class AA State Championship on Friday Night at Wheeling Island Stadium it might be the quickest game of the year.
Both teams love to run the football and control the clock. The Indians have been #1 all year after being named the favorite coming into the year.
Unheralded Tolsia put teams on notice in the first two weeks of the year when they took out Wayne and Mingo Central to enter the rankings. The Rebels played keep away from Mingo Central last Friday night in their 22-0 semifinal victory as time of possession was 34:00 to 14:00 in favor of the Rebels.
The Tolsia ( Orange Crush ) defense has only allowed 6 points in the playoffs and that was in the second half vs Liberty with reserves in the game. The defense is led by Jacob Maynard, Tyler Stroud, Logan Presley along with Seth McMillion and Luke Presley who has six fumble recoveries on the year.
The Indians have won back to back Class AA State titles and haven’t lost since Sept 5th 2014 vs Wheeling Park.
For the Rebels on offense Luke Presley, Seth McMillion and Jennings Holland have rushed for 3,907 yards and 54 touchdowns on the year. All three players will tell you to a man they couldn’t do it without the line and lead blocking. For Tolsia up front Aaron Hardwick, Jeb Evans, Levi Britt, Cam Nichols, Skylar Wolford and Tight End Jordan Johnson open the holes for the backs to run through.
For Bridgeport Dylan Tonkery, Dante Bonamico, Zach Spurlock and Elijah Drummond have combined for 3,717 yards and 60 touchdowns in 2015. If the Indians go to the air, Spurlock has thrown for 393 yards and 7 touchdowns. For Tolsia, McMillion has thrown for 454 yards and 6 touchdowns.
It has been 9 years since Tolsia was in the title game in 2006 when cross county rival Wayne defeated the Rebels.
Tolsia Head Coach Mike Smith won a WVSSAC Class AA State Basketball Title in 1998. Wonder how many coaches have won State Titles in two different sports?
Go get em REBs-wehave that Wheeling Feeling!
