From the Bench: As 2025 Postseason Nears, a Look at Some Football Statistics for the Ages for the Indians
By Jeff Toquinto on November 09, 2025 from Sports Blog
Since everyone is offended about everything, allow me to preface what you are about to read with a disclaimer. I say this since there is nothing to be offended by despite the fact someone will find something.
I digress.
First, and most important, this is not a blog that lessens or enhances past accomplishments of Bridgeport High School football teams. Second, it is not a statement on the status of past, current, or future opponents of Bridgeport or Bridgeport teams themself. There is
comparison talk by “The Voice of the Indians” Travis Jone to last year’s team – on the offensive side of things – to give it a little spice.
comparison talk by “The Voice of the Indians” Travis Jone to last year’s team – on the offensive side of things – to give it a little spice.
Second, if the start of this blog sounds familiar, it should. The bulk of the first two paragraphs are copied from last year’s sports blog when the Indians bye week came after the first eight games of the season, and the team had posted ridiculous numbers.
This year’s team does not necessarily have the defensive numbers – see only one shutout – that other great teams usually point to, but outside of last week’s game with Fairmont Senior and a week two game with Heritage out of Virginia, no one has posted more than seven points against the first-team defense. And there has been a running clock in nine of those games.
In the end, it is keeping a team out of the endzone that matters. That said, before getting into the numbers, Jones talked about how his eyes see things when comparing it to last year’s state title team on the offensive end.
“I think it’s on pace to rival last year’s. There are some areas offensively, just from the statistical standpoint, where they are ahead of last year’s team,” said Jones. “The thing that is unfair when comparing the two team is you won’t have a better feel until the season is over, and you study it. I do know this, everyone but Heritage this year ended on a running clock again, and that game ended early due to weather or every game could have been on a running clock again.
“No matter how you look at it, it’s tough to compare,” he continued. “It’s not apples to apples. What I can say, is that this year’s team is as explosive as last year’s but doing it a little bit different and getting the same results.”
Last year, speed was at the wing back. This year, Eli Knight is bringing power there.
The similarity? No one has stopped it, and the opposition has not been able to stop it even after then-leading rusher Gabe Martin left the lineup due an injury.
“There are a lot of weapons,” said Jones. “When you’re doing it without Gabe, it lets you know just how impressive this offensive line is. Last year’s line was solid too; it’s probably the greatest two-year run of linemen since I’ve been covering them beginning in 1993. When you get to this point, you’re really splitting hairs talking about greatness.
“Is this team the greatest offensive team ever? You can’t talk about that yet because there is still work to be done,” Jones continued. “They have won the Big 10, went undefeated in the regular season and have made the playoffs. The big goal still must be achieved and then the debate can really begin. What can’t be debated as these numbers on offense through the regular season are eye-popping.”
Need some proof? Here you go, first from the team standpoint:
- Bridgeport has scored 548 points (54.8 per game), which is No. 1 in the state regardless of class
- Bridgeport has netted 4,204 rushing yards (420.4 per game)
- Bridgeport has punted twice this year for 40 yards
-
Bridgeport has had every drive end in a touchdown except 11, and several of those were kneel downs to end the games
- Bridgeport has allowed 566 rushing yards (56.6 yards per game)
- Bridgeport has allowed 125 points (12.5 per game)
- Bridgeport has 303 passing yards (30.3 per game)
- Bridgeport has allowed 1715 passing yards (175.1 per game)
- Bridgeport is averaging 450.7 yards of offense per game and allowing 231.7
- Bridgeport has run 389 offensive plays as opposed to 453 for opponents
- Bridgeport is averaging 11.6 yards per play and allowing 5.1 yards per play
- Bridgeport has scored 79 touchdowns through 10 games
- Bridgeport’s defense has allowed 25 out of 100 on third down conversions (an average of 25 percent for the season)
- Bridgeport, despite having one of the best field goal kickers in the state, has not had to attempt a field goal for a second straight season
That is what we have team wise. Individually, there are a few more numbers that pop up offensively.
- Gavin Williams has carried the ball 101 times for 1,752 yards (17.3 yard per carry) with 24 touchdowns
- Gabe Martin has carried the ball 56 times for 722 yards (12.9 yards per carry) with 14 touchdowns
- Eli Knight has carried the ball 55 times for 43 yards (7.9 yards per carry) with 13 touchdowns
- Kasen Baun has carried the ball 38 times for 383 yards (10 yards per carry) with eight touchdowns
- Landen Gillum has carried the ball 33 times for 254 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and four touchdowns
- Three more running backs under 200 yards rushing this year have an average of 10 yards or more per carry
- Graham Vincent has completed 80 percent of his passes by going 8-of-10 for 236 yards with four touchdowns – a 50 percent pass to touchdown ratio
- Sean Veltri has four receptions for 182 yards – all four went for touchdowns and were all from Vincent
- Gavin Williams has kicked the ball off 75 times and 47 of them have been touchbacks
- Gavin Williams is 62 of 65 on point-after attempts
- Jaylen Brown, the backup kicker, is 8-for-8 on point-after attempts
Don’t sleep on the defense just because the group has just one shutout and has allowed some passing yards this year. Teams, as noted, still can’t score on them. Here are a few numbers.
- On defense, 17 different players have double-digit tackles including 13 with 20 or more.
- As a team the Indians have 75 tackles for a loss (7.5) per game and 17.5 sacks.
Here are a few individual defensive numbers from the tacklers with 30 or more stops.
- John Knight, 70 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 PBR
- Bryson Lowther, 60 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 8 sacks,
- Aiden Gorby, 55 tackles, .5 TFL, 3 PBR
- Brody Jeran, 48 tackles, 6.5 TFL, .5 sacks, 2 PBR, 1 fumble recovery
- Eli Knight, 37 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 PBR, 2 fumble recoveries
- Graham Vincent, 32 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 interceptions, 6 PBR
- Gavin Williams, 31 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 interception, 2 PBR, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
“The numbers are fun to look at offensively and defensively, but there is a pleasant surprise after last year’s effectiveness throwing the ball,” said Jones. “There were questions who would throw it this and who would catch it. We don’t throw it a lot, but Graham Vincent to Sean Veltri is a touchdown connection. Graham’s been terrific and another weapon the team has. And this team has plenty, hopefully enough to win another title.”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Gavin Williams shredding a defense with the help of some great blocking, while the second photo shows Graham Vincent heading for six with teammat John Knight (33) making sure the path is clear. The third photo shows a key reason for some of the amazing numbers by the Bridgeport attack - the offensive line. Bottom photo shows Bryson Lowther, a defensive wrecking ball, celebrating a big play for the Tribe. Photos by Joe LaRocca.
.jpg)
