If you listen when the Bridgeport coaches talk, you'll hear the phrase "Program Kid" thrown around. My guess is we all define what that means in our own way, some accurate and some not so much. It is an important phrase to be aware of to understand the core of what makes Bridgeport football the machine it is. Program kids are what the 58 years of non-losing seasons and 33 years of making the playoffs are built on.
 
I asked Coach Tyler Phares to define what he means when he uses the phrase. He said, "There is nothing negative about it at all; it's the type of kid we prefer and a kid we like. It's somebody that is selfless, that they will do what the team needs them to do in order to win; it might not always be the popular or great thing or the flashy or cool thing, but it's something that matters. Not every kid can carry the football, not every kid can be tailback, fullback, wingback, or throw the football for us. We need kids that are willing to play positions that maybe they aren't 100% built for, but you need the team to win, and they need to play a selfless position for the team. A program kid sees the program is bigger than themselves; you would love to have 11 kids on your offense and defense that are all program kids".
 
 One such player on the Indians' offense fits that description perfectly, left guard Johnny Caputo. His football journey began at age 5 when his dad, JB Caputo (former Bridgeport LB and LE; his senior year was 1994) signed him up to play flag football, and he has progressed to every stage, always loving it. He has played left guard, right guard, right tackle, left tackle, and upback last year on JV's where he scored a touchdown on his only career run. Asked if he wishes he could run the ball, he said, "I like what I do; it's nice to see my friends score, and I love it when they get it off of my block. Like Gabe Martin, when I pull and trap someone, and I see him break out and score a long touchdown, I love it, it's an awesome feeling".
 
He started through youth football, but this is the first year he has started at the varsity level. He said it's way different than starting in youth football. The preparation is more detailed and intense; it is way more serious. In spite of that, he said, "It's been a real fun year; I love it". Regarding the potential of winning a state championship, he said, "It would mean the world to me. On the 2024 team we won it, and my dad said I was part of that team, but I didn't really play that much. I feel like if we did it this year, it would be more special to me because I would have started on this team and contributed to it'.
 
"Growing up in Bridgeport, we would always go to all sports- football, basketball, baseball. It's (football) has been part of my life; I just love it. Bridgeport is a special place", he said when I asked him what Bridgeport football meant to him. Spoken like a true Program Kid.








DOUG MARQUETTE IS A GUEST BLOGGER AND A MEMBER OF THE ALL SPORTS BOOSTERS