High School Football Showdown: Parkersburg vs. Huntington
PARKERSBURG — The 29th meeting between the Parkersburg Big Reds and the Huntington Highlanders is set for this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Stadium Field. This matchup is exciting as it features both teams in Class AAAA of the Mountain State Athletic Conference. The Highlanders, coached by Billy Seals, come into the game ranked No. 4 with a strong record of 7-1 and are currently on a six-game winning streak. On the other hand, the Big Reds are No. 16 with a record of 3-5, looking to turn their season around.
Parkersburg head coach Matt Kimes knows the upcoming game is a significant challenge. “Huntington is a really good football team, well-coached and talented. They present a lot of problems, but we’re looking forward to the opportunity,” he said. Coach Kimes also emphasized that the Big Reds have not played their best football yet and he hopes they can put together a strong performance.
The series between the two teams is currently tied at 14 wins each, with the last victory for the Big Reds being in 2020 when they won 25-14. The Highlanders are led on the ground by Keegan Sack, who has rushed for 755 yards and scored 13 touchdowns this season, while their quarterback Avonte Crawford has thrown 15 touchdowns and passed for over 1,200 yards.
Parkersburg’s defense is highlighted by Zane Lewis, who recently scored a key touchdown during last week’s game against St. Albans with a pick-6. Lewis has 56 tackles this season, trailing the team leader Devin Widman with 69 tackles. Coach Kimes is hopeful that his team can contain Huntington’s many offensive threats.
On the offensive side, Jakel Shelton has been pivotal for the Big Reds with 684 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Cooper Cancade has been efficient, completing nearly 64% of his passes for over 1,200 yards. Coach Kimes stressed the importance of maintaining possession and converting on third downs to keep the Highlanders’ offense off the field.
Another factor to consider is the performance of kicker Quinton Wright, who has been successful in 7 of his 8 field goal attempts this season. He is just two successful field goals away from tying the school record.
As the Big Reds prepare for this important game, Coach Kimes feels optimistic about their health and readiness. “We are as healthy as we’ve been all season, and we’re looking to put all the pieces in the right places for success,” he stated.
This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams fight for a crucial victory. Fans can expect a dynamic game filled with intense plays and spirited competition.
