A solemn Bruce Carey emerged from the Bridgeport High locker room for the final time as a high school football coach Saturday afternoon at University of Charleston Stadium.

Carey, who coached the Indians for 13 seasons and led them to an equal number of playoff appearances, said his continued recovery from a spinal aneurysm he suffered last winter had become a greater priority to him than coaching.

"I have no desire to get into the weight room right now. I want to go to therapy, back to physical therapy and stuff," Carey said after the third-seeded Indians (12-1) fell to No. 2 seed and defending Class AAA champion South Charleston (12-1) 28-25 in a playoff semifinal.

"A head coach needs to be in the weight room molding these kids for next year, and I didn't want to cheat them out of that," Carey said, stamping his cane into the concrete and shifting his weight from side to side.

Carey succeeded high school coaching legend Wayne Jamison at Bridgeport in 1997, and has a 125-31 career record. His 2000 team won the Class AA state championship, and the 2001 Indians finished as runner-up to Poca.

With a full recovery possible from an event that left Carey partially paralyzed for a time, he said a return to coaching in the future is possible.

"You never say never. If I get healthy, I think I'd rather come back as an assistant coach anyway. I think it's more fun," Carey said with a laugh. "It's been a good ride for me."

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SOUTH CHARLESTON Coach John Messinger had said prior to Saturday's game that, in order to win, the Black Eagles would need about 275 rushing yards split between junior running back Ray Coleman and junior quarterback Tyler Harris.

The duo fell 125 yards short of that goal, but thanks to SC's speed on the perimeter, its receivers became Harris' and Messinger's weapons of choice.

"My coaches saw that my man was playing a little close, and I can beat him to the outside," said senior receiver Tevin Spurlock, who caught touchdown passes of 61 and 40 yards on identical streak patterns.

"My quarterback was throwing great passes, and it gave me chances to score touchdowns," the 5-foot-7, 170-pound Spurlock said.

Junior Moe Makhene (5-10, 160) scored on a 53-yard pass in the third quarter that came on a busted play in which Harris eluded a sack, stepped up in the pocket and then reversed his momentum just before crossing the line of scrimmage.

Spurlock's first touchdown came in SC's first possession of the game, which followed Bridgeport's game-opening, 57-yard touchdown drive. His second score came in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, just after the Indians had pulled to within 21-18.

"Bridgeport had a really good line and a really good box," Spurlock said. "We couldn't stop them, so we just had to find another way to score."

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SOUTH CHARLESTON'S appearance in the Super Six will be the third time since 2000 that the defending Class AAA champion has made it to the title game in the subsequent season. Morgantown (2004 and 2005) and Parkersburg (2006 and 2007) successfully defending their titles when making consecutive trips to Wheeling Island Stadium.

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BLUEFIELD WILL make its sixth appearance in the Super Six this decade when it takes on top-seeded Wayne (13-0) in the Class AA title game Friday night. The Pioneers will be making their fourth showing in Wheeling in that time.

The sixth-seeded Beavers (11-2) used a 55-yard punt return by senior all-purpose back Marcus Patterson (5-10, 165) to spark a 13-10 win over No. 2 seed Magnolia (12-1) last Friday night in New Martinsville. Senior fullback Jake Lilly (5-11, 198) gave Bluefield a 10-point cushion early in the fourth quarter when he plowed into the end zone from 30 yards.

The Beavers had been held to 7 yards of total offense in the first half, and picked up three first downs, all via penalty.

The loss was Magnolia's first playoff loss at home since 1991, when Greenbrier West beat the Blue Eagles 7-3 in the semifinals.

Magnolia had the ball deep in Bluefield territory twice in the first half, but was unable to dent the scoreboard until junior Justin Fox kicked a field goal in the third quarter.

Wayne punched its ticket in more dramatic fashion, erasing a 21-0 deficit against No. 4 seed Frankfort (11-2) to win 27-21.

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MADONNA'S WIN over Wheeling Central last Friday night in Weirton assured Class A of its first champion since 1995 other than the Maroon Knights, Moorefield and Williamstown.

Gilbert's win over Valley (Wetzel) in the second Super Six to take place in Wheeling was the last such championship.

The No. 1 seed Blue Dons won their only football title in 1987. Their opponent, second-seeded Man (12-1), hasn't won a football state championship, and last played in the Super Six in 1984.