BY MATTHEW PEASLEE
MORGANTOWN — University and Parkersburg South both enter Friday’s matchup with 1-0 records, but notching those first victories couldn’t have come in more opposite fashions.
The Hawks steamrolled John Marshall 55-0, while the Patriots knocked off Capital in a thriller, 29-28.
University racked up nearly 455 yards of total offense, while the South defense held strong on a Capital 2-point conversion attempt in the game’s waning seconds to secure a victory.
Does either team have an advantage judged solely on how last week’s games were won? University head coach John Kelley doesn’t think so.
“Our kids are real mature this year,” Kelley said. “They settled down right away and knew they had to get back to work. They realize what they’re up against this week. I’m sure it’s the same down at Parkersburg South.
“They play a brutal schedule so every week is tough for them. They do have a short week playing on Monday and getting back at it on Friday, but that may not be a factor for a quality program like that.”
University last hosted Parkersburg South on Sept. 6, 2019, and the Patriots left with a 48-14 victory. They struggled in the COVID-shortened season a year ago, going 1-7, with the lone win coming against Beckley Woodrow Wilson.
Sophomore quarterback Robert Shockey leads the Patriots this season. In his first varsity start last week, he went 12-for-19 passing for 192 yards and two touchdown passes. Tyson Maze was his top target receiving and Aiden Cook was the team’s leading rusher with 94 yards on the ground. Cook scored a rushing touchdown with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game against Capital to make the score 29-14.
Capital took it to the South defense in the final minutes of the game, scoring two more touchdowns, but couldn’t seal the deal. South outgained Capital, 412-402.
“It was a super-tight, super-intense game,” Patriots head coach Nate Tanner told the Parkersburg News-Sentinel. “It was back-and-forth. There were a lot of back-breaking plays from each squad. I’m very proud of our kids for pulling it out.”
Kelley paid great attention to that rare Monday night high school football game. He holds both programs in high esteem and enjoyed how that game had the attention of the entire state on Week 1.
“They have a lot of talented players and they present a lot of things for you to worry about,” Kelley said. “They have a lot of formations, they run a lot of plays and they’re very creative on offense. They’re well-coached and have some tough-nosed kids.”
His team has some of those type of players, too.
Last week, five different players ran the ball for the Hawks. Chase Edwards, Corban Cross, Colin McBee, Daminn Cunningham, and Jake Crosten all combined for 255 rushing yards, averaging 8 yards per carry. McBee had three touchdowns, while Edwards and Cross each found the end zone twice.
Passing, Luke Hudson was a solid 14-of-22 for 193 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
“We think we have a good football team but you have to win these kind of football games if you want to be respected and move up in the rankings around the state,” Kelley said. “We also have Wheeling Park and Fairmont Senior looming out there so we need to have as many W’s in the first half as we can. This game is critical so we can have a good first half.”
With school being canceled due to the weather on Wednesday of this week, the team’s regularly scheduled practice was canned, also. But a few hours later, Superintendent Eddie Campbell Jr. gave the green light to practice once the rain subsided.
Kelley and his staff threw together an impromptu evening practice to prepare for the Patriots.
“I was really glad the kids came out on such short notice,” Kelley said. “They had to hear practice is on, practice is off, practice is back on. I’m glad the superintendent allowed us to see through the weather once it died down a little bit in the afternoon. We got some work in and it worked out well for us. It was very productive. It was better than losing a day, that’s for sure.”
Trinity moves game to MHS
Due to an oversaturated field at Trinity from Wednesday’s rain, the Warriors’ opener against Bridgeport (Ohio) will be played on Pony Lewis Field at Morgantown High. The game will kick off at 7 p.m.
The Mohigans are on the road at Bridgeport (W.Va.).
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