Parkersburg and Huntington Set for Epic Showdown
PARKERSBURG — This Friday night, Parkersburg High School will host Huntington in what promises to be an exciting matchup at Stadium Field. As the two teams meet for the 29th time, this marks the first instance in their rivalry where both the Highlanders and the Big Reds are competing in Class AAAA.
The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, with the No. 4-ranked Highlanders entering the contest with a strong 7-1 record and riding a six-game winning streak. In contrast, the Big Reds sit at No. 16 with a record of 3-5.
Parkersburg head coach Matt Kimes acknowledges the challenge ahead. “It’s a great challenge. A really good football team, really well coached,” he said. “With a great challenge comes a great opportunity.” Kimes emphasizes that the team has yet to play their best football but remains hopeful for improvement: “If we can put it all together for four quarters, we’ll have an opportunity to compete.”
The series currently stands at 14 wins each for both teams, with the Big Reds last emerging victorious against the Highlanders in 2020 with a score of 25-14.
Interestingly, the Highlanders have faced some challenges of their own, as star running back Zah Jackson has been sidelined for the last two games. However, Keegan Sack, a transfer from George Washington, has stepped up, leading the team with 755 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
On the other side, the Big Reds are looking to build on a recent victory against St. Albans, where linebacker Zane Lewis recorded a pivotal pick-6. This season, he has 56 tackles, trailing team leader Devin Widman, who has 69 tackles.
“We’ve moved the ball on everyone this year and done some good things offensively,” Kimes noted, highlighting the need for sustained drives and strong performances in the red zone. The team’s ground attack is led by Jakel Shelton, who has amassed 684 yards and 8 touchdowns.
The hope for the Big Reds is to keep the game close and make the most of their possessions while limiting their opponents’ opportunities. Kimes stressed that maintaining control of the football and scoring will be critical in this highly competitive game.
As both teams prepare and strategize ahead of Friday’s kickoff, the excitement in Parkersburg is building for what could be a defining match for the Big Reds, and they will look to channel that energy into a strong performance.
