PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg High School’s undefeated football team may have more stars than the Milky Way.
All those stars shined brightly on Friday night as the Big Reds dismantled two-time defending state champion Morgantown, 42-14, in a Class AAA semifinal game at Stadium Field.
It was Parkersburg’s 13th straight win and not only sent the Big Reds into Saturday’s state championship game at Wheeling Island Stadium against Martinsburg —a 40-0 winner over Fairmont Senior on Saturday — but also denied Morgantown an opportunity at a rare three-peat.
Like Parkersburg’s previous 12 wins, this was a team effort. PHS won offense, defense and special teams. And that takes a lot of stars. Stars like:
Human highlight film Charlie Taylor. With his 230-pound frame, we’ve come to understand that Taylor can literally run over opposing defenders. Not only did he do that Friday night like even he’s never done it before, he also leaped over a would-be Morgantown tackler.
Taylor’s incredible run following a third down and 22 screen pass set the tone for the remainder of the game. Taylor got hit so many times on the play you kept waiting for him to go down. But he somehow kept going all the way to the end zone. Rather than trailing 7-0 and giving the ball back to Morgantown, Parkersburg had tied the game and stolen the momentum.
On a night of big plays, this was —by far —the biggest. The Big Reds aren’t the type of team that functions well on third and long. There simply aren’t many plays in the PHS playbook designed to pick up 22 yards. But Taylor took care of that, turning a simple screen into the play of the year.
If you saw it, you’ll never forget it. If you didn’t see it, you’ll regret missing it.
And that wasn’t his only memorable play. On Parkersburg’s third possession, he leaped over a Morgantown defender and turned a short run into a 16-yard gain.
It was another one of those "Are you kidding me?’’ plays you may not see in a year’s worth of games. And it led to Parkersburg’s third score and its offense’s domination of Morgantown’s frustrated defense, which never found an answer all night long —and for Morgantown it was a long night.
Hobbling running back Matt Lindamood. Lindamood took the field gingerly and looked like he would be used as nothing more than a decoy. Obviously, his shoulder was hurting and he wasn’t 100 percent. He didn’t factor into Parkersburg’s first drive and one wondered if he would be a factor at all.
Then came possession No. 2. The first play was handoff to Lindamood, who ran tentatively and for no gain. The second play, he looked a little better but still managed just 3 yards. After PHS completed a third and seven pass for a crucial first down, it went to Lindamood again. The result was a 65-yard touchdown that put the Big Reds on top to stay.
There are so many great running backs in the state, you can make cases for half-a-dozen as the best. But no team has two runners like Parkersburg. Taylor and Lindamood are the best combination in the state, which they proved once again on Friday.
Quarterback Andy Thomas. It was his team that beat a team quarterbacked by a West Virginia University recruit by four touchdowns. Thomas threw for three of those touchdowns and ran for another. He’s gotten much better as the season progressed and that may be because he got much healthier as the season progressed.
Thomas had been injured as far back as last wrestling season, when he won his second state title while wrestling at times on one leg. Thomas can beat you with his legs, with his arm and with his mind. He’s gone from an athlete who plays quarterback out of necessity to a bonafide quarterback who is on the verge of leading his team to a 14-0 season and a state title.
Unsung receivers P.J. Polsley and Nathan Conley. Each had a huge catch in Friday’s game. That’s not surprising for both are multiple-sport athletes who possess a great deal of ability. PHS hasn’t had to throw much this season the way its running game has worked. But when the Big Reds need to throw, they can. And when PHS needs a catch, either of these guys is capable of making a tough grab.
Linebacker Matt Littleton. Littleton transferred to PHS from Calhoun County a year ago. That’s a major transition. Instead of playing against Gilmer County, you’re playing the likes of Capital, Cabell Midland or some other Class AAA power. But he’s not only made the transition, he’s made a name for himself. One you hear over the PA system on virtually every tackle.
This list could go on for several more pages. It would include Matt Winans, who not only has filled in for Lindamood at linebacker but has become an impact player. It would include both the offensive and defensive lines, who dominate week in and week out. Neither line has met its match and that’s because no one seems capable of lining up against PHS on equal terms.
It would include kicker Tyler Warner, who gives PHS strong special teams play. His kickoffs and his punts are booming. His field goal range is of college quality. He’s an invaluable weapon that no other state team can match.
Finally, it would include the coaching staff. Head coach Bernie Buttrey is on the verge of winning a state title in his fifth year at the PHS helm. It took legendary coaches Marshall Burdette and Buddy James nine years to accomplish that feat. The Big Reds play ’Bernieball.’ That means 48 minutes of physical domination. It means investing so much in football you simply refuse to surrender. This team is a reflection of the relentlessness of its head coach, who refuses to be outworked.
It’s also a reflection of a solid coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Gene Epley has an instinct few others possess. He pushes the right buttons at the right time. Defensive coordinator Mike Eddy is a Buttrey clone, always pushing his unit to work harder and get better.
Special teams coordinator Mark McCullough is a master at that part of the game. He could be out enjoying life but he chooses to donate an incredible amount of time and talent to this football program. He’s the one holdover from the previous staff and his contribution is invaluable.
In an era where finding a dedicated, talented, knowledgeable and committed coaching staff is nearly impossible, Buttrey has managed to put together one that is strong from top to bottom.
Parkersburg has many stars. And they come out every time PHS takes the field. They’re on the verge of the second 14-0 season and 10th state title in school history.
Untitled Document
Super Six
c/o Bernie Dolan - Director
1976 Park View Road
Wheeling, WV 26003
