From the Bench: A Piece of Bridgeport High Football Tradition as Critical as Any to Program's Success
By Jeff Toquinto on October 13, 2024 from Sports Blog
For anyone really following along, you may have noticed the headline on this blog is the same as the blog covering the same subject in 2023. As one might imagine, it is because the same principles apply – this is as big a reason as any Bridgeport High School wins on the football field.
The person it is about is different. Those principles, well, will not be changing anytime soon if the coach has anything to say about it – no matter who the coach is.
Former Coach John Cole knows all about it. Current head Coach Tyler Phares, in his seventh year with the Indians and fourth as head 
man, knows all about it too. It is one of those intangibles that has been in place for a long time and it only in recent years has been officially recognized.
man, knows all about it too. It is one of those intangibles that has been in place for a long time and it only in recent years has been officially recognized.
That playoff streak? Probably not still going without it. The non-losing record streak? Yes, that one may not be around either.
On Friday, Oct. 4, to be exact, in the BHS game with Brooke, the entire Bridgeport High School football team lined up on the sidelines with members of the coaching staff. Phares was then joined on the field by Dick and Susan Steadman.
Phares and the Steadman’s were there to present the annual Talon Steadman Heart Award. The honor does not go to the team’s best player. It does not go to the fastest or the one with the most potential.
It goes to the one that best represents the sacrifice made for the betterment of team – often in the face of anonymity on the practice fields, although this year’s winner has seen more than his share of time. It reflects the style and workmanship of former Indian Talon Steadman.
Talon Steadman died in August of 2009. He was killed at the age of 16 in an automobile accident and was a proud member of the Bridgeport High School football team.
Steadman, Phares, and past coaches have said Steadman was not the biggest kid. He was not the fastest. He was, however, as determined as anyone and the player that always volunteered to help when the coaches needed something – or someone – to take care of a matter.
He was team first and never a “me kid” when on the field. Cole during his time as head coach said repeatedly after presenting this award each year that it is this type of contribution that makes the program work as much as anything else. Phares echoed that this week it is as important to present the honor for what players like the one honored prior to the Brooke game do for the program as it is to keep Talon Steadman’s memory alive.
The attitude has been around the program for more than a half a century now. The only sad part is Steadman’s passing put a name on it and an award now presented.
Still, there was happiness in the Brooke contest when Gooch Holbert announced the winner over the public address system. The name 
was one Phares, and the rest of the staff were thrilled to announce – junior John Knight.
was one Phares, and the rest of the staff were thrilled to announce – junior John Knight.
Knight, like a few winners from the past, does see plenty of time. The junior is a blocking back on offense and a middle linebacker on defense. Although listed as second on the depth chart at both spots, he plays plenty of reps with the starters. In fact, heading into Saturday’s game at Parkersburg South he was third on the team in tackles with 24, three of which were for a loss.
Ironically, in the Brooke game, he saw a large number of first-team snaps as a blocking back with starter Cam Martin moved to tailback. He has already blown away his numbers defensively that he had in limited time as a sophomore where he had eight tackles (along with 46 yards rushing and a TD).
There is something else Knight brings to the table. He is a wrestler, and Phares – like just about any football coach – loves to see wrestlers on the rosters.
As a sophomore for BHS, he finished the season with a record of 37-3, and came in fifth at the state meet in the157-pound division. Prior to that he won the Region I title, the Big 10 title, the Gerry Raymond Automotive Invitational (formerly the Winners Choice Tournament) title – all at 157 – and was named the 2023 Max-Horz Holiday Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler from the 152-285 weight classes.
As a freshman wrestler, competed in the 126 division, placed third at states, was regional and Big 10 champion. Had a record of 27-3.
“He earned this honor going all the way back to last year,” said Phares. “I remember with our scout team last year we needed a defensive player to give our starters headaches and give them a look that would cause them problems, and he did that. From there he just transitioned into a better football player and is still a team-first guy.”
“Recently we had some struggles at middle linebacker, and we needed to find someone to jump in there, be a stalwart. Johnny was the guy we trusted,” said Phares. “What it boils down to is he just wants to play football, and it’s the same on both sides of the ball.”
Phares said the club headed into this year with a bevy of talent and depth at wingback, but the depth at blocking back was not a mirror image. Knight recognized that and told the coaching staff he would gladly help provide depth there. And, he has.
Could he be a full-time starter on a team not so deep? Could he have numbers that would be reported on after each game by the media 
without the plethora of talent?
without the plethora of talent?
“It sure seems that way, but he’s fine with the team doing well,” said Phares. “He’s just a really talented football player on a talented team who, in most years, would probably be seeing a whole lot more action even though he’s seeing a good bit now. Part of that success this year is attributed to Johnny and so many like him.”
Success is plentiful once again at BHS. Another winning season. Another playoff appearance seems a certainty. And now, another Talon Steadman award winner.
This is the 15th year for the award. The first winner in 2012 was Justin Massie. Last year’s winner was Isaac Kidd.
Editor’s Note:Top and bottom photo show John Knight getting his award with Coach Tyler Phares, far left, and Susan and Dick Steadman. Other photos shows Knight competing in football and wrestling for the Indians. Photos by Joe LaRocca, with exception of the camo jersey picture, which is courtesy of Tom Mellott.
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