Rebuilding Bridgeport football program challenges 1B rivals

BRIDGEPORT – The Mustangs varsity football team, competing in the 1B ranks this year, opened its season in a three-way tie with Pateros, and defending state champion Almira-Coulee-Hartline, each with an early season 1-0 record.

Bridgeport’s first league win came over Wellpinit, 69-28, on Sept. 14. The Mustangs also scored non-league wins over Cascade JV, 45-19, Inchelium, 1-0 and tied Curlew, 0-0.

Head Coach Pat McFadden lost three seniors to graduation, but has three veterans returning as seniors this year, John Hernandez, Diego Martinez, and Edgar Meza. 

Other seniors listed on the team roster include Fernando Garcia, Nickollii Pakootas, Jose Garcia, Daniel Valdovinos, Juan Garcia, and Alex Zarate. Returning veteran juniors include Christian Hernandez, Julio Sanchez, Leonardo Sanchez, Axel Martinez-Bustos, Miguel Mendoza, Enrique Morales, Santiago Moreno, Jonathan Flores, and Gilberto Padilla.

Bridgeport is still rebuilding its football program and will see its progress tested by the likes of league rivals Yakama Tribal, Odessa, Entiat, and Waterville-Mansfield.