WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, WeatherMVB Athlete of the Week: Bridgeport's Brett Hathaway

Most weeks, the MVB Athlete of the Week is a name you'll recognize from highlights. That is true for this week's standout player.

If you've been to a Bridgeport football game, watched the Friday Night SportsZone or even just lent an ear to local high school football, you know Indians' running back Brett Hathaway; you should. He's one of the main reasons Bridgeport is about to play a second round playoff game.

"Brett gets the tough carries and protects the ball better than anyone we've got and that's such an important thing with the style of offense that we run and clock management and things like that, that if we get a lead, we're going to be hard to come back on," said Bridgeport Head Coach Josh Nicewarner. "He's proven to be the type of runner that can get those tough yards but also the type of runner that can break out an 80 yard run."

Hathaway has rushed for about 1200 yards this season, averaging more than eight yards a carry. Coach Nicewarner said Brett's style fits perfectly in the Indians' famous Stick-I. Hathaway is a hard, but smart runner.

"I'm more of an in-between tackles guy and obviously that helps," said MVB Athlete of the Week and Bridgeport Running back Brett Hathaway. "The line keeps blocking and I can get through there and try to make things happen. So it definitely helps with my running style."

Brett leads the Indians in total scoring, accounting for more than 100 of Bridgeport's points. Like every Bridgeport running back, Hathaway takes care of the ball, even more so than he takes care of himself.

"Brett ended up we found out, I didn't find out until Saturday, he ended up being hurt most of the game on Friday. I never knew," said Coach Nicewarner of his reliable player. "That's just the type of kid Brett is. He's a kid that comes in Monday to practice and asks if I've got extra film for him to watch. It's been the same this week. If I could have 11 Bretts I'd be happy."

Just like Coach Nicewarner, Brett Hathaway comes from a long line of Bridgeport football players. Hathaway is happy to be leading the No. 2 team in the state.

"It feels great. We're in a great position right now 11-0. It's where we want to be," said Hathaway. "We just got to get ready for Cabell Midland on Friday and keep going."