As big as a football rivalry that Marietta High has with Warren, the cross river one against the Parkersburg Big Reds is also right up there - and a lot longer in duration by several years.
Even though MHS (1-1) trails PHS (2-0) by a considerable margin in the all-time series, the game is usually competitive and a good gate.
MHS first-year head football coach Bob Springer is somewhat familiar with the Big Reds, having been an assistant under Mike DeVol at Parkersburg South a few years back.
"Certainly this season is beginning to look like they (Big Reds) are back in the running in the state," Springer said. "They have a solid run game, and the quarterback is solid."
Don Reeves-coached Parkersburg is quarterbacked by Alex Ash, and one of its top ground-gainers is 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior Adam Lindamood, who rushed for 71 yards on 18 carries in last Friday night's 37-34 triumph over Cabell Midland. The Big Reds needed a last second, 25-yard field goal by Cody Roney to pull that one out.
Ash finished with 154 passing yards on 10 of 18 attempts.
Unfortunately, PHS will be without the services of senior Chad Collins, who, against Cabell Midland, returned the opening kickoff 81 yards for a score.
Collins reportedly "blue his knee out," Springer said.
In the meantime, while PHS was winning in Ona, W.Va., Marietta was suffering its first setback of the season, dropping a 44-24 decision to Warren at Don Drumm Stadium.
No one likes to lose, but Springer and his coaching staff were encouraged by the Tigers' play. Overall, QB Justin Futrell passed for 222 yards and touchdowns of 78 and 52 yards to sophomores' Chance Wright and Quinton Coffield, respectively.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Wright actually finished with four receptions for a game-high 131 yards.
On the ground, Dedder Baker rushed for 71 yards and one TD of four yards, and Mitchel Gearhart gained 30 yards on just six carries.
Both Jon Hedrick and Eddie Kimbrough were singled out for praise for their blocking on the offensive line.
"We feel we had more good plays on offense and defense than we had against Morgan," Springer said. "We believe we are improving.
"We need to stoke up our pass game and pick up where we left it Friday night (vs. Warren)," Springer said.
Marietta incidentally defeated visiting Morgan 29-14 in its season opener the previous week.
Defensively, MHS struggled against Warren and was hurt by several Warrior big plays that went for touchdowns. The Tigers did have their moments, though, when Matt Thompson intecepted Warren QB Dylan Leffingwell's first throw of the contest.Lineman Will Cogswell was also credited with five tackles and two assists.
Then, on special teams, sophomore Anthony Kimbrough broke through and blocked a punt which he pounced on in the end zone for a TD.
Michael Stewart also had a good special teams game, Springer said.
Kicking-wise, punter Austin Gaskins was very consistent, averaging about 31 yards a boot. "We are playing such a large number of underclassmen, including nine sophomores," Springer said. "And, we are adjusting our offense and defense as time moves on, finding what works best for the Tigers.
"We're looking forward to playing Parkersburg, and we'll be ready. "We'll be going after them."
