PARKERSBURG -Parkersburg and Parkersburg South will put their two contrasting offensive styles to the test tonight as the Big Reds debut at home against Cabell Midland and the Patriots travel to Bethany College to hook up with Linsly.
PHS (1-0) figures to once again rely on the ballcarrying tandem of Adam Lindamood and Chandler Hamilton to wreak havoc with Cabell Midland (1-0) at Stadium Field. In last week's one-point win at Brooke, Lindamood gained 122 yards, while Hamilton added 90 yards on the ground.
South's weapon in a season-opening win against Ripley utilized the arm of quarterback Tyler Bolen, who finished with 220 yards and two touchdowns passing. The Patriots (1-0) must find a way to contain Linsly running back sensation Chinelo Oparanozie, who rushed for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns as the Cadets rallied from a 14-0 deficit to defeat Magnolia 21-20.
Another game scheduled in Wood County occurs with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Stadium Field when Parkersburg Catholic (0-1) plays host to Pocahontas County (0-1). Both programs advanced to the state playoffs last season, but neither team managed to score a point in their season-opening losses last week.
Hitting the road for the second straight week is Williamstown (1-0), which meets Magnolia (0-1) in New Martinsville. The press box at Alumni Field was destroyed by the derecho in late June and remains under construction.
"Last week, River opened at our place - they had a clock operator and public address announcer on a lift behind the visitor's bench, and that's what we plan on doing for our game," Magnolia football coach Mark Batton said. "We're looking to get another lift delivered to accommodate Williamstown's film crew, and both team's coaches.
Fact Box
- GAME SCHEDULE -
Tonight's high school games
(All games 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Cabell Midland at Parkersburg
Parkersburg South vs. Linsly (at Bethany College), 7 p.m.
Williamstown at Magnolia
Wirt County at St. Marys
Ritchie County at Roane County
Marietta at Warren
Belpre at Fort Frye
Waterford at Federal Hocking
Winfield at Ripley
Sherman at Calhoun County
Wahama at Trimble
Van at Paden City
Tyler Consolidated at Doddridge County, 7 p.m.
Gilmer County at South Harrison
Miller at Eastern
Saturday's games
High school
Pocahontas County at Parkersburg Catholic, 1:30 p.m.
Frontier Local at Steubenville Central, 7 p.m.
College
Marshall at West Virginia, noon
Miami (Ohio) at Ohio State, noon
Ohio at Penn State, noon
Case Western Reserve at Marietta College, 7 p.m.
"(Magnolia athletic director) Brian Castilow has worked extremely hard trying to make sure the accommodations are suitable for both teams."
In other games involving teams from the Mountain State, St. Marys (1-0) returns to Imlay Field for the second consecutive week. Wirt County (0-1) doesn't want a repeat of last week when the Blue Devils rushed for 329 yards against Ritchie County.
Ritchie County (0-1) will have its hands full when it makes the trip to Spencer to play a Roane County (1-0) squad which limited Clay County to barely 100 yards rushing in a 20-6 win last week.
Ripley (0-1) plans to carry the momentum from last week's second half when it outscored South 21-6 in the final 14 minutes of the game when it plays host to Winfield (0-1). Sophomore quarterback Trevor Tucker threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings nearly recovered from a shaky first half.
Wahama (1-0) appears to be on the warpath once again after dismantling Fayetteville 35-7. The White Falcons (1-0), who play at Trimble (1-0), executed the wildcat to perfection with quarterback Konner Standley rushing for 180 yards and three touchdowns.
Rounding out the schedule for area teams in West Virginia: Sherman (0-1) visits Calhoun County (1-0); Van (0-1) travels to Paden City (0-1); Doddridge County (1-0) plays host to Tyler Consolidated (0-1); and South Harrison (0-1) welcomes in Gilmer County (0-1).
An intriguing matchup across the river pits Marietta (1-0) against Warren (0-1). Marietta's offensive coordinator is Jason Schob, who is the son of Warren head coach Andy Schob. Jason Schob spent the past four seasons -two at Marietta and two at Warren - as an assistant under his father.
Belpre (0-1) looks to energize its offense after mustering just nine total yards in a loss to Paint Valley. The Golden Eagles will get their opportunity against a Fort Frye (0-1) squad which put up respectable offensive numbers in a loss to River.
Also scheduled for tonight: Waterford (1-0) goes to Stewart to meet Federal Hocking (0-1); and Miller (0-1) plays at Eastern (0-1). In a Saturday night special, Steubenville Catholic Central (0-1) plays host to Frontier Local (1-0).
