PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – Usually when a team finishes 6-4 in Class AAA, they are rewarded with a playoff berth. However, that wasn’t the case for Parkersburg South a season ago as their 6-4 record left them just outside the top 16.
Now, gone are six all-state players and head coach Jon Bolen, who compiled a 32-31 record in six seasons, leading the Patriots to three state playoff appearances.
In is new head coach Mike Eddy and a crop of relatively inexperienced players.
But Eddy, himself, is an accomplished head coach. Previously, he guided Gallia Academy in Ohio to a 21-15 record in four seasons.
And he also knows a little bit about the Parkersburg South program, since he spent five years (2004-2008) as an assistant at rival Parkersburg.
Despite such turnover for the Patriots in the offseason, Eddy doesn’t view this season as a rebuilding year.
“We expect to put together the kind of season to get into the playoffs,” he said. “We know that’s going to be difficult with so many transitions and so many changes going on around our program. But, I know that we have the kids to do it. I think we have a great coaching staff. Our kids are working their tails off. If we can just get that shot, sneak in if you have to.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re the top seed, the 16th seed, you get in, you have a chance,” he continued. “That’s what it’s all about. We just want that opportunity.”
Eddy used the June practice period to evaluate the players he has coming back.
“Coach Bolen has done a tremendous job there in the last six years, but the way he does things is different from the way I do things,” Eddy said. “The guys are really having to relearn how they train, how they practice, what the expectations are and whether they are different (this year). These first four months in the weight room, they had to retrain themselves.”
He also took the opportunity to familiarize himself with teams in the TRAC during a seven-on-seven tournament at Morgantown High last month.
“It’s never really a football game until guys start putting their hands on the ground,” Eddy admitted. “That’s when football season really starts. We’re out here playing basketball in helmets, but it does give you an idea of what kind of athleticism you’re going to see.
“It gives me an opportunity to see my kids compete,” he continued. “That’s the big picture. Are there kids when things get tough are they going to dig their heels in and get after it, or are they going to be that team that fades away?”
Even though the Patriots graduated 21 seniors from last year, including four along the offensive line, Eddy still thinks his team will win battles in the trenches.
“We have good size, good mobility and good strength up front,” he said. “At the same time, we have a great pool of young skill kids. I think bringing those younger skill kids along, so that they have an opportunity to contribute will be a little bit easier because we do have some guys that have played up front before.”
Parkersburg South will open its season on August 30 at Ripley.
PARKERSBURG SOUTH 2013 Football Schedule Events |
||||||||
1 | 08/30/13 07:30PM | A | RIPLEY | – | ||||
2 | 09/06/13 07:30PM | H | LINSLY, WV. H.S. | – | ||||
3 | 09/13/13 07:30PM | H | MORGANTOWN | – | ||||
4 | 09/20/13 07:30PM | A | WARREN LOCAL,OH H.S. | – | ||||
5 | 09/27/13 07:30PM | A | UNIVERSITY | – | ||||
6 | 10/04/13 07:30PM | H | OPEN | – | ||||
7 | 10/11/13 07:30PM | H | JOHN MARSHALL | – | ||||
8 | 10/18/13 07:30PM | A | BROOKE | – | ||||
9 | 10/25/13 07:30PM | H | GREENBRIER EAST | – | ||||
10 | 11/01/13 07:30PM | A | WHEELING PARK | – | ||||
11 | 11/08/13 07:30PM | H | PARKERSBURG | – | ||||
– Wes McKinney