WHEELING — Elijah Bell is not one to rest on his laurels.

Rather, the former Wheeling Park standout continues to raise his game.

Bell played a key role in the Patriots capturing their first state football championship in 2015. He landed 17 TD passes that fall, encompassing 1,124 yards.

Those gaudy numbers earned him the Randy Moss Award, given annually to the top wide receiver in the state. He was also named the USA Today Offensive Player of the Year for West Virginia.

Bell’s explosive skills, combined with his 6-1, 221-pound frame, landed him a grid scholarship to North Carolina A&T. He was an immediate impact receiver for the Aggies.

He landed 35 passes as a true freshman, good for 631 yards and 8 TDs. Bell was subsequently named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and second-team all MEAC. He led the MEAC in yards per catch (18.03) while helping A&T to a 9-3 record.

This season has been memorable for both the Aggies and Bell. A&T ran the table, going 11-0, gaining a berth in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 16.

Bell was a key component in A&T’s perfect regular season. The glue-fingered wideout snared 54 catches for 858 yards and a school-record 11 TDs.

Despite his impressive numbers, Bell is a team-first guy, just like his prep days at the Park.

“I couldn’t be happier with this team. We have the passion and heart for each other that is unmatched. We set a goal that everyone believed we could do. We are one win away from achieving that goal,” Bell said. “We were doubted by many people because we lost a great senior class. We just used it as motivation to overcome the obstacles that were placed in front of us.”

While team success is paramount for Bell, he does take pride in his productive season.

“Looking back at the regular season, I made some improvements and felt like I played well and helped my team. It was a great feeling breaking a school record in my second season,” Bell said. “But there were some ups-and-downs. I felt like I started out great then slowed up mid-season before finishing strong the last three games. But that is a part of football.

“I just love being a part of this team and offense. They believe in me. I don’t think my surrounding wide receivers get enough credit. We have some guys who make plays every week,” he continued. “I truly believe we have the best receiving corp in college football with a great O-line, great fullback and the best quarterback. I feel like I had a great season with the help of my teammates with one game to go.”

Playing in a bowl game is icing on a sweet sophomore season for Bell. He is looking forward to a 12th game this year.

“I am excited to play in the bowl game. Last year we got to play in the playoffs. So it’s cool that I get to experience both in my first two years in college,” Bell offered. “My teammates are really excited to go to the bowl. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the trip, playing the best HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) football team in the country.

“We will be on ABC TV in the new Mercedes-Benz Dome,” he added. “Our bowl game will kick off bowl season. I can’t beat that.”

SAM ANDY CLASSIC

SAM ANDY is a basketball coaching legend. The former Wheeling High and Wheeling Park mentor died last year. His memory lives on, however, in a new hoop tourney at WesBanco Arena that bears his name.

The Sam Andy Classic will be staged Friday, Dec. 15, featuring three boys’ hoop contests. The schedule is as follows:

4 p.m. – Doors open

5:30 p.m. – Shadyside vs. Linsly

6:45 p.m. – Indian Creek vs. Weirton

8:30 p.m. – Union Local vs. Wheeling Park

Admission is $7 adults and $5 for students. One ticket is good for all three games.

Tickets may be purchased at Wheeling Park High School and WesBanco Arena ticket office. WVSSAC and OVAC passes will be honored.

It promises to be a grand event, honoring a legendary coach and man.

BUBBA’S BITS

I HAD a chance to witness both the Wheeling Central and Wheeling Park girls’ hoop teams make their respective season debuts last week. The Maroon Knights and Patriots are undoubtedly two of the best teams in the Ohio Valley as well as in West Virginia. As I noted last year, it is a shame they do not play each other. Such a matchup could pack WesBanco Arena.

NORTH ALABAMA’S women basketball is off to a sparkling 6-0 start this season. The Lions are coached by former Bellaire High and West Liberty hoop standout Missy Tiber.

I WAS never a fan of Tony Romo when he quarterbacked the Dallas Cowboys. He is, however, one tremendous TV analyst.

WEIRTON MADONNA Joanna Bernabei-McNamee athletic great has her University of Albany women’s hoop team standing at 4-2 heading into today’s game at Holy Cross.

I DON’T like doing it but I must cast my Heisman Trophy vote for Baker Mayfield. The Oklahoma Sooner QB is a renegade but is the premier player in the country this fall.

MUSKINGUM UNIVERSITY is in the market for a new head football coach. Barnesville native Al Logan has resigned after leading the Fighting Muskies for 11 seasons. Logan was 29-81 a tthe Muskingum helm and was the 2009 Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

FORMER BRIDGEPORT High great and current St. Francis University redshirt frosh Caitlyn Kroll had another big game in a losing effort at Duquesne Thursday night. The 5-10 dandy pumped in 18 points and grabbed three boards in a 87-68 reversal.