Dec. 3—FAIRMONT — When it comes to the Independence Patriots, Nick Bartic and the Fairmont Senior Polar Bears were ahead of the curve.
"Last year, after we played them in the quarterfinal— in those 'way too early to tell' polls that come out after the season— they were our pick as the team to watch out for," Bartic said shortly after his team's semifinals victory over Poca. "We said that last year. So we're not surprised that Independence is who we have to prepare for on Friday."
Indeed, the Patriots are the team Fairmont Senior will face off against on Wheeling Island, 7:00 p.