Big Reds seek redemption from last year’s loss
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PARKERSBURG -- There's a lot of football left to be played this season, but make no mistake the one game Parkersburg High School wants to win is the crosstown showdown against rival Parkersburg South, which is slated for a 7:30 p.m. Friday kickoff at Stadium Field.
Second-year PHS boss Matt Kimes' program enters the affair with the same 3-0 record as the Patriots, who are rated No. 2 in Class AAA with the Big Reds coming in at No. 4.
PHS has outscored St. Albans, Riverside and South Charleston, which have combined for a 1-8 record, 166-0. Head coach Nathan Tanner's Patriots have allowed 80 combined points to Capital, University and Woodrow Wilson, but South is putting up a little more than 70 points a game.
"I think last year we talked about it's just another game," said Kimes, whose squad lost 55-7 in 2022 inside the Erickson All-Sports Facility. "I'm not saying we over looked them, but we didn't play our best.
"We need to put our best foot forward. They embarrassed us and we understand what's in front of us, and they are really good. We think we are better than last year. Hopefully, we can play well and be competitive."
Two years ago when the Big Reds played host to the Patriots, coach Tanner's troops went back across the Little Kanawha River saddled with a 28-19 setback.
"We're assignment sound right now," Kimes said of the defense, which he knows will be tested all night. "The kids understand what they are supposed to be doing and playing at a high level. We've got a handful of kids playing at an all-state level defensively, but we are going to be challenged.
"They got two or three kids that can take it to the house at anytime. They are well coached and run a fast tempo offense. Pretty much got to be a base defense in. We've been preparing for that all offseason pretty much. We played last year and they got a little familiarity with how the tempo goes."
Senior signal-caller David Parsons opened last week's game with a 38-yard touchdown run.
Although the PHS starters haven't played in the second half yet this season, Parsons has thrown for 578 yards with 11 touchdowns and no picks. He's completed 72.7% of his attempts, going 24 of 33.
"It was the first play of the game. We ran a Jet read with Anthony (Ice)," Kimes said. "Big 5 was rolling down the sideline. He was out of breathe.
"I'm like you got to get a sprint or two in before the game. He's such a talented kid. Getting him involved in the run game makes the defense account for his arm and legs."
Ice (6-215-4), Andrew Stalnaker (5-171-1) and Casey Stanley (5-82-3) have been his top targets so far. Jakel Shelton (25-154-4) leads the Big Reds' rushing attack.
Matthew Stalnaker, who has three catches and as many touchdown grabs, had a scoop-and-score last week, while Cyrus Backus had a pair of pick-6s in the second half.
Eli Bauman and Preston Riffle also have returned interceptions to the house.
Zane Lewis, who has an interception, a sack, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick, leads the Big Reds with 19 total tackles. Adam Elder has team-highs of three sacks and five tackles for loss.
"They are aggressive. They are going to bring guys from all angles and we have to prepare to pick up blitzes and get the ball out of our hands quick," added Kimes, who lost two-way junior lineman D.J. Chambless for the season due to injury.
"We have to try and spread them out and let our guys work in space a little bit. It all starts with the guys up front. Got to give him time to throw it and when they do he's pretty accurate with the ball."
Although the Big Reds have had to do some shuffling on the offensive line, it looks like Jake Bauman will be at left tackle, Elder at left guard, Rudy Colombo at center, Carter Watts at right guard and Caleb Norman at right tackle.
"We've been trying to piece it together week by week and get the best five guys," Kimes added. "Chris Cox has stepped in and started at guard last week.
"Jake Bauman was out with sickness and J.D. Pauley is still nursing that elbow. We were down three of our top eight offensive linemen counting D.J."
Overall, coach Kimes said of his O-line "they are doing a good job, but the challenge gets a lot tougher this week. I think our guys are ready for this."
Whether they are or not, Kimes knows they are going to get a heavy dose of running back Gage Wright and quarterback Turner Garretson.
However, he's not just concerned with what that duo and their fellow teammates can do offensively.
"They like to stack the box and got a lot of big kids on the D-line," added the coach. "Turner Garretson is a great football player. He's as good as there is at the middle linebacker position and that's not to mention Gage Wright coming off the edge. We got to know where those two guys are, get a hat on a hat and let our playmakers do what they do.
"It's a huge game and it's important for morale. I'm not sure we need to win it, but we need to be competitive and play well. We got to be competitive for four quarters and give ourselves an opportunity at the end. A lot of games left on our schedule, but it's the most important one this week. Bragging rights. Our kids will be fired up for this one."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com