Parkersburg South head coach Nate Tanner signals to players during a preseason practice at Erickson All-Sports Facility. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG — In addition to the Parkersburg South-Parkersburg football rivalry, Patriot coach Nate Tanner has been involved in his share of games where bragging rights weighed heavily.

Entering his fifth meeting against the Big Reds, Tanner gives Friday’s upcoming matchup at Erickson All-Sports Facility the edge in terms of the amount of passion riding on this one game.

South and PHS did not play during the 2020 COVID season.

“I’ve now been here for six years – everybody talks about the South-PHS game,” Tanner said. “What’s at stake is bragging rights for a year. The game means a lot more to both communities. People who come out to watch this game may not attend any more games during the season.

“It’s a cool environment for the kids. Where I grew up there were rivalries. With confidence, I can tell you the South-PHS rivalry is different from others. There is more passion and emotion. People care about it more. It’s a real thing. Some places have rivalries and does not mean quite as much. People here get vested.”

In the all-time series, PHS owns a 39-17 advantage. Under coach Tanner, South is 2-2 against the Big Reds, with the home team winning on each occasion. Last year, the Patriots lost 43-35 at Stadium Field.

“As far as the process goes, that will still be the same with PHS,” Tanner said. “We will definitely discuss the rivalry with the kids and what’s at stake. But at the same token, it’s any other game. There is going to be anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 people there and a different level of enthusiasm as a whole.

“Whichever team keeps their emotions in check and plays clean football will have the most success.”

Since an opening-season loss at home to Wheeling Park, South has turned the tables with wins over University and Woodrow Wilson.

After a scoreless first quarter last week in Beckley, South scored the game’s first 14 points in a span of 10 seconds.

The Patriots led by as much as 24 points (35-11) before securing a 35-19 win and improving to 2-1.

Woodrow Woodrow turned the ball over three times. South had a clean slate in the turnover department. Patriot quarterback Collin Hayes rushed for 110 yards and three touchdowns, while Dedrick Riggs added another 87 yards and his first varsity rushing TD while filling in for injured starter Eli Bartley.

“I was pleased with how we established the run game despite not having Eli,” Hayes said. “Dedrick and Collin did an excellent job. We left off from where we were against University. Our offensive line was tested a little more than the previous week.”

Woodrow Wilson’s run game produced 142 yards, but no carry went longer than 17 yards.

“Our defensive play was stingy,” Tanner said. “We imposed our will on them physically. Woodrow Wilson likes to play phone booth football on offense and ram it down your throat. We responded. We did give up two scores through the air where we shouldn’t. The kids will learn. It was a good road win – more confidence was built. It was a good test for kids. They proved they could get it done.”

PHS enters Friday’s game 1-2 after losing at home last week to Hurricane, 49-14.

“Defensively, we have to try to stop their running game – we have to slow him down and make the quarterback uncomfortable,” Tanner said.

“Their running back (Jakel Shelton) is pretty dynamic. Their offensive line does a good job of blocking as well. Quarterback Cooper Cancade impresses me on film. I saw him during the summer at 7-on-7s. He is a strong kid who moves well and throws a really good ball. You can tell he put in some work in the offseason. They have some pretty good receivers who run hard and run good routes. You can tell they have been coached up by (PHS coach Matt Kimes).

“Offensively, we need to do the same as every week – find a rhythm and do our best.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com