Sports
PREVIEW: With Milestone Victory in Sight, Parkersburg Aims for Return to Postseason
By: Michael Drapcho
Posted on:
Editor's Note: Over the next two weeks our reporters will be bringing you team previews for each team in the SEOAL, TVC-Ohio, TVC-Hocking, and our West Virginia teams. We continue in West Virginia, where Parkersburg has a milestone victory in sight.
At certain programs, mediocrity is simply not acceptable. The Parkersburg Big Reds are one of those programs, and after a disappointing 2013 season, the Big Reds are looking to return to form in 2014.
The Big Reds struggled throughout all of last season, winning only four games. However, they have a chance to get both a historic win and some momentum in week one against Warren.
“We’re one game away from getting our 800th win,” coach Dan Reeves said, “so we’re looking forward to every game—especially that first one.”
Though Parkersburg is eager to capture win No. 800, the team does have its eyes set on larger goals than one single game. The Big Reds haven’t made the playoffs in the last two years and haven’t won a playoff game since 2010. Reeves said that the Big Reds aim to change that this season, with the ultimate goal of reaching the state championship game.
“We expect to just get into the playoffs and then advance from there,” Reeves said.
If the Big Reds are going to reach their goal, they are going to have get production from their offensive backfield. Dan Fox and Chase Shank will be lining up at running back behind new starting quarterback Josh Trembly.
Last season, Shank was a solid rushing option for Parkersburg, totaling 320 yards and three touchdowns on 78 attempts. Shank’s counterpart, Fox, led the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, but only carried the ball twice for 20 yards last year.
Trembly saw limited action behind 2013 starter Aaron Roberts last season, completing six of his twelve pass attempts for just 84 yards and three touchdowns.
“We might have a little advantage on offense,” Reeves noted. "That’s where our returning guys are a little bit more experienced, and we’re a little bit bigger up front.”
In addition to the returning firepower on offense, Reeves’ squad brings back all four of its linebackers from last year. Reeves hopes that the experience the group gained last year will help improve from the defense that gave up nearly 34 points a game last season.
Parkersburg will open its season at Warren on Aug. 29.
'Gridiron Glory' airs every Friday at 11:30 p.m. on WOUB. You can follow the show on Twitter @gridironglory, like the Gridiron Glory page on Facebook, and follow along on Instagram @woubsports. You can also join the conversation throughout the season by using the hashtag #GridGlory.