Marietta High is hoping to play four good quarters against visiting Parkersburg High in its 2012 home football opener at Don Drumm Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last Friday night, The Tigers (1-1) chalked up two good ones and led the Warren Warriors, 7-6, at halftime of the First Annual United Way of Washington County Bowl in Vincent. Late in the second quarter, the orange and black had an opportunity to stretch its advantage but fumbled and lost the ball inside the royal blue and white 10-yard line.
"Offensively, we need to focus on ball security," said first-head MHS head coach Adam Eichhorn. "Against a team like Parkersburg, we can't afford to give up possessions. We need to continue to build on our passing game and let that open up our running game even more."
Article Photos
RON JOHNSTON The Marietta Times
Marietta High quarterback Anthony Kimbrough gets ready to take a center snap from brother Eddie Kimbrough during a scrimmage against Ripley at Don Drumm Stadium in August. The Tigers are scheduled to host the Parkersburg Big Reds in their home opener Friday night.
Turns out, quarterback Anthony Kimbrough's 19-yard scoring strike to Grae Setterstrom and Kyle Bronski's extra point kick in the second period would be the Tigers' only points in the contest.
After the break, it was all Warren as Marietta went scoreless and dropped a 35-7 decision.
MHS finished with five turnovers on the night - and that didn't help its cause at all.
Needless to say, it doesn't get any easier for the Tigers with the Don Reeves-coached Big Reds (1-1) paying them a visit in Week 3 of the campaign.
"Parkersburg features probably the best running back we will see all season," Eichhorn said. "(Adam) Lindamood is the type of kid that earns every yard he gets. We have to be able to control the line of scrimmage and rally to the football."
Historically against Parkersburg, Marietta trails in the football series, which was renewed in 2009, by a considerable margin. In fact, the Tigers haven't beaten the Big Reds on the gridiron since claiming a 29-6 decision in 1990. After the 1994 game, the series became dormant for 14 years.
Last year, MHS fell to PHS, 34-7, at Stadium Field.
So far this season, Parkersburg won its season opener at Brooke, 35-34. Last Friday, the Big Reds were routed by Cabell Midland, 49-10, at Stadium Field. The red and white's only touchdown came on a 33-yard run to paydirt by Lindamood in the fourth quarter
Now, of course, both Marietta and Parkersburg will be looking to get back on the winning track.
"Both of us are coming off tough losses, so there will be two teams anxious to get back in the win column," Eichhorn said. "With this being our home opener, our guys are looking forward to picking up a win for the first time in a while against PHS."
