In determining the crem da la crème of Friday night’s top team performances, however, we would be remiss if not placing premium emphasis on the biggest winner of the biggest game in the state: The Bridgeport Indians.

Last week’s showdown between the Indians and RCB Eagles turned out to indeed live up to the hype. The Indians persevered by a 14-7 count in a victory that will be talked about for years and which came on the strength of a play that will be discussed, debated and analyzed for decades. Indian specialist Addison Michael’s 91-yard punt return for a touchdown proved to be the deciding factor in what may have been the most intense edition yet of Harrison County’s foremost gridiron rivalry.

Call it what you like, but no matter how you stack it the play was a heads-up move on the part of Michael. Realizing that the whistle had not yet been blown to signal the play dead, the Bridgeport senior swept in and scooped up the ball to set the stage for his 91-yard dash into history. Irrespective of what the official rule book does or doesn’t spell out, the play will no doubt evoke controversy from those in the crowd donning green and blue Friday night. What was not controversial, however, was the supreme defensive effort put forth by the Indians. The Tribe bent but did not break against the explosive Eagles’ attack, yielding 303 total yards but shutting out RCB for the final three-and-a-half quarters after surrendering a touchdown on Byrd’s opening possession. The win positions BHS, which entered the game ranked No. 5 in the state, with a golden opportunity down the stretch to make their mark in the Class AAA playoff seedings.