Parkersburg’s Javel Chandler (6) and Jakob Flack (34) pursue a George Washington ball-carrier during Friday’s game at Stadium Field. (Photo by Brian Cox Photography)

PARKERSBURG — Coming off of a three-game win streak and a blow-out win against Riverside, the No. 6-ranked Parkersburg High School Big Reds hosted the No. 2 ranked George Washington High School Patriots on Friday night in a duel fueled with aggressiveness and grit.

Despite a nearly silent first half from the Patriots, George Washington’s second half rejuvenation propelled the team to a 37-30 victory to further the Patriots’ undefeated record to 6-0.

Whether it be the Patriot passing game that produced 254 yards and two touchdowns, or the Big Red rushing game that totaled 239 yards and three touchdowns, both teams traded blow for blow to stay in the game, amounting to a staggering total of 67 points.

“That was a good football team we played tonight,” said George Washington head coach Steve Edwards. “They were prepared, they played hard, and I feel our guys were able to come together and fight through the struggles we faced.”

The shootout began to take shape shortly into the game after a pass from Big Red quarterback Alex Greer was intercepted by Jericho Henry, a mistake that would lead to a 3-yard touchdown run by Patriot running back Jaden Black to make the score 6-0, his first of three touchdowns on the night.

Parkersburg’s Sylas Cheuvront (2) finds daylight during Friday’s game against George Washington at Stadium Field. (Photo by Brian Cox Photography)

The Big Reds would fire back soon after with a 29-yard field goal from Cole Sisk to make the score 6-3 at the end of the first quarter, a three-point deficit that would remain until a pass interference call on George Washington would lead to a 38-yard touchdown run by Big Red running back Sylas Cheuvront to make the score 10-3 in the second.

As halftime loomed near, Greer would launch a beautiful 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brady Thorn to make the score 17-6, a score that would be short lived after a swift march downfield by the Patriots resulted in a 28-yard field goal by kicker Theodore Smith to make the score 17-9 at half.

“I know this team has what it takes to play at a high level, and we showed that in the first half,” said Parkersburg head coach Matt Kimes. “Small details and little issues hurt us in the second half, and I know we’re better than our mistakes.”

The Patriots came firing on all cylinders following the half, shooting out a Cy Persinger 75-yard touchdown pass to receiver Samaje Wesley that would be followed by a two-point conversion to tie the game at 17.

The 17-point tie would be short lived however after a Persinger quarterback keeper touchdown run gave the Patriots a 23-17 advantage, a lead that the Big Reds would erase on just the second play on their next drive with a 76-yard rushing touchdown by running back Ethan Jones. That tied the game at 23-all with two and a half minutes remaining in the third.

George Washington regained the lead not even three minutes later after a relentless drive by the Patriots resulted in a 14-yard receiving touchdown by Black, which he followed up on almost immediately with a 1-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter, increasing the lead to 37-23.

The Big Reds would attempt to make a late game comeback with a Greer quarterback run to make the score 37-30, followed by an onside kick recovery to give PHS one last chance to tie the game. That chance dissipated after a fourth-down throw by Greer that was picked off by Sameje Wesley, sealing the game and wrapping up a back and forth showdown between two of West Virginia’s most competitive teams.

Black went for 99 yards on 16 carries while Wesley led all receivers with 149 yards on eight receptions. Persinger went 15 for 25 passing for 254 yards

Jones led the Big Reds with 109 yards on 14 carries. Greer added 69 yards on 18 totes and was 6 for 15 passing for 86 yards.

“It hurts right now, but I think this team can hold their heads high and be proud of how they represented this school and its community,” said Kimes. “We just have to keep fighting.”

The Patriots will look to increase their win streak to seven when they face Jefferson next Saturday at 4 p.m. at home, while the Big Reds will attempt to regain their momentum when they travel to face Huntington next Friday at 7:30 p.m..

Huntington next Friday at 7:30 p.m.