BHS Sweeps Loria Banquet Honors as Love is Player of Year, Brown Lineman Winner, Phares Top Coach
By Jeff Toquinto on March 24, 2025
Bridgeport High School’s perfect season in football continues months after winning the state championship. Tonight, at the 42nd Frank Loria Awards Banquet at the Bridgeport Conference Center, the Indians took home the top four awards.
Bridgeport senior Josh Love took home the top award at the event hosted by the Clarksburg Columbian Club and Harrison County Schools by claiming the Loria Award 
for the top player in Harrison County. The award is voted on by members of the media and coaches from Harrison County.
for the top player in Harrison County. The award is voted on by members of the media and coaches from Harrison County.
The Frank Loria Awards Banquet upholds the high athletic and academic standards of Harrison County native Frank Loria, Virginia Tech University’s All-American in 1966, first Consensus All-American in 1967 as well as achievements of an Academic All-American.
“Frankie Paul,” as he was known to his family and friends, went on to coach at Marshall University and was killed at age 23 in the tragic 1970 Marshall University plane crash with nearly the entire football team which was the subject of the Hollywood releases including the movie “We Are Marshall.”
Love was thrilled to receive the award bearing Loria's name.
"It's and incredible honor. He was a heck of an athlete, but an even better person in the classroom," said Love of Loria, who was also an academic All-American. "It's an honor to be able to represent his name, his legacy, and what he left behind for this area and for all of West Virginia. He's one of the greatest West Virginians ever, which makes this honor that much more special."
Love was joined in the winner’s circle for the other major player’s award by teammate Wes Brown. Brown was named the Loria Lineman of
the Year for the top lineman in Harrison County.
the Year for the top lineman in Harrison County.
Coach Tyler Phares, who led the Indians to the 14-0 season and the school’s 11th state title, was named the Loria Coach of the Year. Phares, who was unable to attend, won his first title in his fourth year as head coach and has an impressive 47-6 record during that time.
To round things out, Love netted the Frank Loria Academic Achievement Award showing that success on the field and off goes hand in hand and a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by lawyer David Romano. On the field, Love was pretty impressive on the field as he also was named first team 
Class AAA defensive captain as a utility player.
Class AAA defensive captain as a utility player.
While most recall his offense, defensively he was a problem for the opposition as he finished with 55 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, along with two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Offensively, he ran for 1,526 yards on 143 carries with 27 touchdowns.
The lineman honor going to Brown may have been the least surprising win of the night. Not because the others were not impressive, but because Brown had already been named as the 2024 Stydahar winner given by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association as the state’s top interior lineman.
Brown dominated in the trenches for an offense that led the state in points scored with 801 (57.2 per game) and set a school record for rushing yards in a season at 5,446. But Brown was also a force up front for a defense that allowed just 8 points per game and gave up 43 rushing yards per contest with 46
tackles, 8.5 for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
tackles, 8.5 for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
A large crowd was on hand for the event. West Virginia University Coach Rich Rodriguez served as the guest speaker for the event.
It wasn't the coach's first time at the banquet, but it was his first since returning to coach WVU for the upcoming season. And he was glad to be back.
"I've done this before, way back in another life when I started coaching at Salem," Rodriguez said with a smile. "Then at West Virginia in my first time. It's alway been one of the best local, regional banquets that you could have to reward high school athletes.
"It's well done and people in the community support it," he continued. "It's an honor to speak at a banquet recognizing one of the icons of Harrison County and be at an event with so many familiar faces. It's great to be back."
The banquet honored all members of the all-Harrison County football team. The Indians had 11 players on the 28-member squad.
Those recognized from BHS long with Love and Brown include Jon Bender, Timmy Jeffress, Cam Martin, Alex Moses, Jack Spatafore, Noah West, Donavan Williams, Gavin Williams, and Carter Zuiliani.
Liberty representatives include Isaiah Heflin, Braydon Hendricks, Quentin Hilliard, and Devin Swisher.
Lincoln representatives include AJ Bart, Aidan Rice, and Connor Rice.
Robert C. Byrd representatives include Kobe Duarte, Logan Frum, Latrell Jones, Armondo Montero, Junior Smith, and Stratten Wooddell.
South Harrison representatives include Luke Given, Zane Harlow, Jaden Hatfield, and Brady Rush.
Editor's Note: Top photo is of the Bridgeport players recognized this evening with Coach Rich Rodriguez. Second photo shows Rodriguez with Josh Love, left, and Wes Brown. Third and fourth photos are of Josh Love and Wes Brown, respectively, in action during the past season. Bottom image is of Coach Tyler Phares. All photos by Joe LaRocca.
