PARKERSBURG — Pittsburgh Steelers fans always will remember The Immaculate Reception.
West Virginia University fans still talk about Major Harris’ incredible run against Penn State in 1988.
And now Parkersburg High School fans have a special play about which they never will forget.
In last Friday’s 42-14 Class AAA semifinal dismantling of Morgantown, Big Red fullback Charlie Taylor made what may be the best play in PHS history.
Considering the Big Reds have been playing football for 101 years, that’s quite a statement. But one any of the 6,000 fans in attendance would confirm.
PHS was trailing 7-0 after Morgantown had taken the opening kickoff and driven for what seemed like a relatively easy touchdown given the reputation of Parkersburg’s defense. The Big Reds needed to answer that drive and it appeared like that wasn’t going to happen as a fumble put PHS in a third-and-22 hole at the Mohigan 42.
Then, it happened. Quarterback Andy Thomas threw a screen pass to Taylor. But it appeared there was no way this play would net the necessary 22 yards. Taylor was hit. Again. And again. It looked like he was down. But no! He was still on his feet! He was racing for the end zone! He scored!
The reaction of Superintendent of Schools Bill Niday was typical of those who witnessed the play. “Do you believe that?’’ he excitedly shouted.
It was a game-changing play. Rather than giving the ball back to Morgantown and giving the Mohigans a chance to take a 14-0 lead, Parkersburg not only had tied the game, but it had stolen the momentum.
The Big Reds never trailed again.
Taylor’s been hearing about his play ever since it happened.
A humble young man, his first words were, “I don’t like to talk about myself.’’
But he agreed to talk about the play. And he had quite a confession to make.
“I didn’t realize,’’he said, “it was third and 22. I caught the ball and I saw a down marker. I thought I could get there and get a first down. Then, I realized that was the first marker, not the second one.”
Taylor doesn’t know how many times he was hit. He just knew that he had to make a first down and he did.
Later in the game, he made another highlight-type play. He leaped over a Morgantown defender and turned a short gain into yet another key first down.
“We had run that play earlier and that guy came up and tried to take my legs out,’’ Taylor explained. “I decided if he tried that again, I was going to jump over him.’’
That’s quite a feat for a 230-pound body. But Taylor looked like an experienced jumper. It reminded some of his junior high days, when he was the county’s leading basketball scorer as a ninth grader.
While the Internet is filled with rumors that West Virginia University offered Taylor a scholarship because of the performance, that isn’t the case. Taylor has been approached about being a walk-on, but he doesn’t want to play college football. He wants to concentrate on his studies and become an engineer. He likely will do that at WVU, but he won’t be a Mountaineer football player.
Taylor has enjoyed every minute of being a Big Red. He likes the coaching staff, likes his teammates and understands and appreciates the facilities the community has provided.
He wants to win the state championship on Saturday against Martinsburg and to celebrate that accomplishment with his teammates.
But he doesn’t want to talk about himself. And that says a lot about Charlie Taylor.
Untitled Document
Super Six
c/o Bernie Dolan - Director
1976 Park View Road
Wheeling, WV 26003
