Parkersburg South head coach Larry Thompson looks on during last week’s game against Woodrow Wilson. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

PARKERSBURG — Larry Thompson’s history with the Parkersburg South-Parkersburg football rivalry dates back as an assistant with the Patriots.

Now in his first season as the South head coach, he is familiar with everything that goes with the week leading up to Friday night. The hysteria, television lights, bragging rights.

Thompson’s bonding with his two young sons at home are a perfect example of the fervor fans in attendance will create.

“We know what the atmosphere is going to be like – we are looking forward to it,” Thompson said. “I know the environment is going to be quite hostile and loud. We will replicate that during this week of practice. It’s about whoever can ride that roller coaster of emotions.”

Take Parkersburg out of the equation and Parkersburg South has its own issues to attend to. Despite opening the season 0-3, South is not hitting any panic buttons. The Patriots lost 31-7 to Woodrow Wilson last week in their home opener on the newly-installed turf surface.

South and PHS meet at Stadium Field for a kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

“Getting that first win is extremely important – not only for the program but for the psyche of the kids,” Thompson said. “And I want it for them so badly. We have been right there for the past few weeks. The score doesn’t really reflect the outcome of the ballgames. We have played three prominent programs and we play another on Friday.”

South was in the thick of a tight game with Woodrow Wilson down 10-7 after three quarters. Three fumbles on the night didn’t help the Patriots’ cause.

Figure on a more methodical approach by Thompson and his offense this week. A drastic change from years past when South used tempo.

” On offense, we plan to slow it down a bit and control the ball a little bit,” Thompson said. “In the past, we’ve shown more of a tempo-based offense. Realizing what our strengths are, we will slow it up a little bit. We know we are right there. We have to find a way to win in hard situations.

“We do have the ability to throw the ball down the field, but moving fast is what causes turnovers. We have shown up defensively the past three weeks. As long as our defense plays well and keeps teams off the field, we like our chances.”

Parkersburg (1-2) under coach Matt Kimes defeated Hurricane 45-16. The Big Reds assistant guiding their offense is former South coach Mike Eddy.

“Coach Kimes does a great job showing a plethora of sets, a plethora of snap formations,” Thompson said. “Obviously, they are in our backyard – they know us and we know them. We know their personnel and what they are going to try and do.

“Again, it will be a chess match.”

For this week and perhaps several weeks after that, South will be without the services of running back Kooper Jackson, who rushed for 155 yards on 22 carries against Woodrow Wilson. Also unavailable is quarterback and starting linebacker Collin Hayes.

“Collin is a tough-nosed kid on defense and we hate to lose him,” Thompson said. “But with that said, it’s next man up. Asa Yost is our next man and he will play big for us.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com