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Three-Point Stance: Full-Scale Changes for Parkersburg

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Editor’s Note: Three-Point Stance is Gridiron Glory’s written preview series leading up to its 15th season on WOUB. Gridiron is visiting training camps for all 32 teams in the coverage area as they prepare for the 2013 football season. We begin in West Virginia, where crosstown rivals endure change and a senior-laden team looks to return to the postseason.

If there were one word to describe the Parkersburg Big Reds this season, it would be change. With new schemes on offense and defense, and some new coaches on the sidelines, the Big Reds are going to have to adjust quickly to meet the expectations that head coach Dan Reeves is used to in Parkersburg.

Here are three things to know about the 2013 Parkersburg Big Reds:

1. A Smaller, Faster Team

One of the changes that Parkersburg fans are going to see is a smaller, faster team than they are use to. With the switch to a Hybrid Wing-T offense, Coach Reeves is looking to turn smaller size into an advantage and use quickness to outrun opponents.

The Big Reds return three key players to the offense. Senior quarterback Aaron Roberts threw for 1,121 yards with eight touchdowns last season. Running back Chandler Hamilton returns for his senior season as the feature back, replacing 2013 graduate Adam Lindamood, and standout sophomore Dan Fox is looking to continue his success in his junior year as Roberts’ top pass catcher.

The Big Red defense will also see changes to its unit this season. Parkersburg is switching from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense. Hamilton and Fox will also anchor a secondary that returns several starters on defense.

Coach Reeves said the team made both scheme changes to better accommodate the personnel.

2. Stadium Renovations

Another big change that fans should notice is that legendary Stadium Field is currently under construction. The community is looking to raise money so the home bleachers can be complete by late September. That would allow the Big Reds to play their final four home games at Stadium Field. Parkersburg has yet to name sites for all of its home games, but the home opener against Warren (Ohio) has been confirmed for Aug. 31 at Marietta College’s Don Drumm Field.

3. A Milestone on the Doorstep

The Big Reds are looking to change the program around and bounce back from a 4-6 season. The program is only 5 games away from winning 800 games, and that is something Coach Reeves said was one of the team’s goals for this season.  Reeves has added a couple former Big Reds players to his coaching staff to help continue the school’s tradition of winning. No matter where the Big Reds take the field this season the newly motivated coaching staff in Parkersburg will look have the team ready to go every Friday night.

Follow @gridironglory on Twitter and Instagram and Like the Gridiron Glory Facebook page for continued coverage throughout the preseason. Gridiron Glory returns Friday, Aug. 23 at 11:30 p.m. on WOUB.