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Mid-Ohio Valley Report: Week 5

The Parkersburg defense looks for a strong showing in week 5 against Marietta, Ohio.

 

— By Eric Little

Many of the area’s schools — big and small — hit the road for pivotal matchups, while Ritchie County stays home to face its toughest test yet.

GAMES TO WATCH

Class AAA

No. 11 Parkersburg South (2-2) at No. 7 John Marshall (3-1)

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Last Week: Parkersburg South evened its record at .500 with a 37-0 home win against Princeton. John Marshall suffered its first loss of the year, a 39-7 drubbing at the hands of Bellaire, Ohio.

Why It’s Important: Parkersburg South goes into a bye week and gets a chance to reset its season following this game. It’ll allow the Patriots a rare chance to regroup and get healthy for the second half of the regular season. John Marshall will try to erase the memories away from a haunting loss on Saturday afternoon — one that required the Monarchs to use their third-string quarterback because of injuries and one where Bellaire racked up nearly 300 more yards of offense than John Marshall. 

Who to Watch for Parkersburg South: Ballhawks on the South defense, and not just the defensive backs. Brayden Mooney (a linebacker and the team’s starting quarterback) became the first Patriot to score on defense this season by returning an interception for a touchdown. Mooney scored on Princeton’s second offensive play of the night, making it the second consecutive game where South had created a takeaway on their opponent’s first series. Dylan Day also intercepted Princeton in the fourth quarter. All told, five different Patriots (Mooney, Day, Brandon Penn, John Kinnaird and Brett Hearn) have interceptions in South’s first four games of the season.

Parkersburg (1-3) at Marietta, Ohio (2-2)

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Parkersburg gave Capital a strong challenge, but eventually fell short, 35-22. Ripley picked up a 35-21 win over Marietta, handing the Tigers a second straight loss.

Why It’s Important: Desperation isn’t a word in Parkersburg’s vocabulary at this point, but the Big Reds are getting closer to the time of the year where they’ll need to start piling up wins. The Big Reds haven’t played the easiest schedule to start, which combined with their injuries help explain a 1-3 start. But PHS head coach Mike Byus would be the first to admit, and has to anyone who’s asked, that mistakes from those on the field (and not the absences of principal players) played the biggest role in Parkersburg’s sluggish start.

Who to Watch for Parkersburg: The defensive secondary and pass rush. Marietta quarterback Corbin Alkire likes to throw the ball, and the Big Reds will have to work through the injuries to find players able to rush the quarterback and defend the Tigers’ stable of receivers. Whoever proves effective in either regard will be a major factor on Friday night. Two weeks ago, Williamstown sacked Alkire six times in their 33-22 win over Marietta.

Brooke (0-3) at No. 8 Ripley (3-1)

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Ripley ran its winning streak to three games with a 35-21 victory over Marietta, Ohio — scoring the last 21 points of the game to rally from a fourth quarter deficit. Brooke suffered a 60-point defeat at the hands of Morgantown.

Why It’s Important: Over the last several years, it’s very likely no Class AAA team was on the short end of more close games than the Ripley Vikings. Rather than get to the end of the season with a stack of single-digit losses, Ripley is eager to rack up wins and make its way toward November. Brooke has struggled to open the season against three tough teams — Wheeling Park, University and Morgantown.

Who to Watch for Ripley: RJ Evans carried the ball 25 times for 144 yards and two rushing touchdowns — Ripley’s first score of the night and an insurance touchdown that capped the Vikings’ scoring in the fourth quarter. 

CLASS A

No. 6 Parkersburg Catholic (4-0) at Gilmer County (1-2)

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Parkersburg Catholic rolled to a 38-8 win over Wirt County, thanks to a 22-point outburst in the second quarter. Gilmer County comes in off a bye week after also defeating Wirt County two weeks ago. 

Why It’s Important: For a Parkersburg Catholic team that went winless in 2017, the ability to clinch at least a .500 record by the end of September is nothing short of a remarkable turnaround for head coach Lance Binegar’s team, regardless of the opposition. The Crusaders didn’t lose any seniors from last year’s team, and rather than roll over and watch the program fall apart, this group has bought into what their head coach was selling. Veteran players convinced enough of their friends to come out and play to improve the team’s numbers to where fielding a team was an easier task. Gilmer County’s had two weeks to prepare and could immediately reverse their fortunes with a win this weekend.

Who to Watch for Parkersburg Catholic: Ty Sturm had yet another big day at the office for the Crusaders, scoring three rushing touchdowns and carrying the ball 22 times for 232 yards against Wirt County. All but 51 of the Crusaders’ 377 total yards were gained on the ground.

No. 8 Doddridge County (3-0) at No. 11 Ritchie County (3-1)

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Last Week: Doddridge County had the week off after opening the season with three straight wins. Ritchie County defeated St. Marys 24-21 in a Thursday night contest. It was Ritchie County’s first win over the Blue Devils since 2011 and their first at St. Marys since 2000.

Why It’s Important: Doddridge County is still trying to prove why they belong among the best teams in Class A. Ritchie County faces its toughest test of the year, and probably the most talented individual player they’ve had to try and stop in Doddridge County’s Hunter America. This game is also always a hotly contested rivalry between these two next-door neighbors connected by US Route 50. Expect a large and spirited crowd, if you go.

Who to Watch for Ritchie County: Trey Moss scored the go-ahead touchdown in Ritchie County’s win last week at St. Marys. Garrett Owens is quickly earning the reputation as a hard-nosed running back out of Ritchie County’s stable. While the Rebels may not boast an individual talent of the caliber of Doddridge’s America, Ritchie County’s best chance may be their volume of talented backs, and the ability that comes with it for head coach Rick Haught to constantly bring fresh legs into the backfield. 

No. 9 Williamstown (3-1) at Buffalo (0-4) 

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Last Week: Williamstown handed Ravenswood its first loss of the season — a 55-19 drubbing that was over early. The Yellowjackets led 48-7 at the half on the strength of a 34-point second quarter. Buffalo suffered a 50-point loss to Sherman and has scored just three touchdowns this season.

Why It’s Important: This game comes at a nice place on Williamstown’s schedule. At the end of four straight road games, and with rival St. Marys ahead next Friday, the Yellowjackets have a chance to test their depth if they get out to a quick start this week. Buffalo faces its stiffest test of the year in a game that may set the tone for their second half.

Who to Watch for Williamstown: Running back Donathan Taylor put together yet another stellar effort for the Yellowjackets in their dominating win over the Red Devils last week. Taylor ran for three scores as part of a 158-yard rushing performance and caught a touchdown pass. Williamstown also got two receiving touchdowns from Eric Brown, a weapon that could be integral toward the late season success of Carter Haynes and the Williamstown passing attack.

No. 11 Sherman (3-1) at No. 15 Ravenswood (2-1)

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Sherman won 56-6 over Buffalo. Ravenswood was on the receiving end of a 55-19 setback against Williamstown.

Why It’s Important: Sherman has won three straight since opening their season with a loss to Magnolia. Ravenswood is ready to show they’re a better team than the one that suffered a five-touchdown defeat last weekend. 

Who to Watch for Ravenswood: Ravenswood’s running backs: Wayne Stephenson, Luke Jackson, Jacob Anthony and Chase Hood. The Red Devils need a big night from this bunch — and the line that blocks for them. 

Calhoun County (1-3) at St. Marys (0-3)

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: St. Marys fell to 0-3 after allowing 10 unanswered points to the Ritchie County Rebels in the fourth quarter of a 24-21 loss last Thursday. Calhoun fell 47-7 to Tyler Consolidated.

Why It’s Important: St. Marys has a chance to face a struggling team, and hopes to right the ship in the process. Calhoun County could turn its fortunes around just as quickly with what would be a signature win for the Red Devils.

Who to Watch for St. Marys: Anthony Wince is becoming a solid weapon in the St. Marys stable. Wince and quarterback Brennan Boron hooked up for a 22-yard touchdown play last week in the loss to Ritchie County.

Who to Watch for Calhoun County: Mason Nicholas ran for the team’s only score against Tyler Consolidated last week. He also had four catches against the Silver Knights.

Wirt County (1-3) at Tyler Consolidated (1-2)

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Last Week: Wirt County fell 37-7 to Parkersburg Catholic. Tyler Consolidated shook off the sting of two straight losses with a 47-6 win over Calhoun County.

Why It’s Important: Wirt County was busted on the chops last week by an undefeated Parkersburg Catholic squad and would probably like to regain a portion of pride. Tyler Consolidated has a chance to even their record at .500 and regroup after a shaky start to the season.

Who to Watch for Wirt County: Nathan Murray hauled in five catches for 123 yards in the Tigers’ loss to Parkersburg Catholic. 

Who to Watch for Tyler Consolidated: Griffin Phillips was 5-for-5 passing last week against, including a 78-yard touchdown pass to Gage Huffman. Phillips also ran for a 2-yard score.

Other Games: Hundred (1-3) at Paden City (0-4); Wahama (1-3) at Federal Hocking, Ohio (0-3); Roane County (1-2) at Braxton County (0-3)





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