Sports
Parkersburg Falls To Capital In Home Opener
By: Justin McCauley
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The Parkersburg Big Reds could not hang with the No. 5 Capital Cougars Friday, losing, 55-20, in the reopening of Stadium Field.
The Big Reds got the start they wanted, as Capital’s Kashaun Haley fumbled near the sideline. Parkersburg’s Dan Fox scooped up the ball and returned it 41 yards to the house for a 7-0 lead.
Less than a minute later, the Cougars struck back as the Pratt brothers, Tyrhee and Cliffaun, hooked up for a 50-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at seven. A three-and-out for Parkersburg led to a 77-yard run from scrimmage to put the Cougars on top 14-7. Haley had a total of 148 yards on 11 carries on the night. The Big Reds stalled out in their own end again, and Capital milked a 12-play drive. Sophomore quarterback Tyrhee Pratt ended the drive with a 12-yard rush for a touchdown to put the Cougars up, 21-7. The Big Reds had a hard time stopping Pratt all-night, as he accounted for a total of 402 yards and four touchdowns.
The rushing game that was reliable for Parkersburg for the first few weeks was nowhere to be found Friday, as the Capital front stuffed holes throughout the night.
The Cougars held Parkersburg running back Melvin Stubbs to just 31 yards on 12 carries.
Parkersburg was determined to gain momentum back late in the second quarter with an all-effort drive that crossed into Cougar territory. After a 23-yard pass from Aaron Roberts to Dylan Thomas put the Big Reds at the Cougars 33-yard line, a nine-yard sack on fourth down forced the drive to an end.
The Big Reds couldn’t do much all game on offense or defense, as Roberts experienced cramps in the second half and could not return. Back-up quarterback junior Josh Trembly went 4-for-9 for 68 yards and a touchdown in the second half, but it was not enough offense to bring the Big Reds back into the game.
The home opener for the Big Reds turned into a showcase for the Pratt brothers and the rest of the Cougars team as they solidified their top-five ranking. Up next for Parkersburg (1-3) is a home date with Marietta next Friday, Sept. 27.