From the Bench: A Piece of Bridgeport High Football Tradition as Critical as Any to Program's Success
By Jeff Toquinto on November 23, 2025 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 2024. 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. Even with last night's loss to Chapmanville, BHS is not there without it.
There are a couple of things that are different in this blog. First, for the first time ever, it involves two individuals. Which leads to the second now obvious difference – it is not going to focus on the same person as last year.
While the individuals being talked about are different, those principles listed above 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 eighth year with the Indians and fifth 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.
That playoff streak? Probably still not going without it. The non-losing record streak? Yes, that one may not be around either.
On Friday, Oct. 31, to be exact, prior to the BHS game with Fairmont Senior, 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, or in this case, two, 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 winners have seen plenty of action. The key component, whether seeing snaps or toiling on the practice squads, is that 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, 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 says annually that it is as important to present the award for what players like the ones honored prior to the FSHS 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 half a century now. The sad part is Steadman’s passing put a name on it and an award now presented.
Still, there was happiness prior to the Fairmont Senior contest when Gooch Holbert announced the winners over the public address system. The names were one Phares, and the rest of the staff were thrilled to announce – seniors Juan Pablo Cortez and Brody Abraham.
These two as noted above, and like a few winners from the past, see plenty of time. Cortez, in fact, started in the Buckhannon-Upshur game and has seen time at defensive tackle and left guard. He also sees regular time on special teams.
“He’s one of our first linemen to come in after our starters are out there and need a break or someone is injured,” said Phares. “He’s a 
program kids that has worked his tail off for four years. He didn’t start playing football until the 8th grade and now you have a young man that works hard, never misses the weight room, and is in love with the game.”
program kids that has worked his tail off for four years. He didn’t start playing football until the 8th grade and now you have a young man that works hard, never misses the weight room, and is in love with the game.”
As for Abraham, Phares said the lineman is frequently called upon to play either right guard or defensive tackle.
“You know, you could almost say the identical things about Abraham and Cortez. Here’s another guy who didn’t play a lot of football when he was younger; started getting involved in middle school,” Phares said. “He did his thing in the weight room and continually got better and now he is one of the guys we depend on for good minutes, and he delivers.”
One other thing is identical – at least on the defensive side of the ball. Both players have logged 10 tackles on the season. Beyond the numbers, Phares said they matter in a much larger way.
“For those that think these two players don’t make a difference, and players honored with the Steadman award don’t make a difference every year for buying in no matter what their role is, they couldn’t be more wrong,” Phares said. “It takes a lot more than 11 starters on
offense and defense to find success and find it consistently. You need guys who are capable, but you also need a capable player willing to what their turn if it’s needed. These two do that. They represent what team is about.”
offense and defense to find success and find it consistently. You need guys who are capable, but you also need a capable player willing to what their turn if it’s needed. These two do that. They represent what team is about.”
Success is plentiful once again at BHS. Another winning season is in the books. Another playoff appearance, well, that is obvious.
And now, another name, or in this case names, added to the list of Talon Steadman award winners.
“This award isn’t going anywhere. It’s something our program and the community cares about,” said Phares. “And it means something.”
This is the 16th year of the award. The first winner in 2012 was Justin Massie. Last year’s winner was John Knight.
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